Long axis heat distribution in a tunnel-ventilated broiler house equipped with an evaporative pad cooling system

Abstract

Chicken meat and egg production in the Çukurova region of Southern Turkey shows enormous potential for growth. However, high temperatures in summer pose serious difficulties for these types of production. Evaporative pad cooling systems have been used to minimise rises in temperature and are commonly used in poultry houses in this region. The change of air temperature from the entry point to the system through the pads, to the exit point of the broiler house was investigated in this study. Experiments were carried out in a tunnel-ventilated broiler house in the Çukurova region. The broiler house has the capacity to house 15 000 chicks with a floor area of 70 by 12 m. In this experiment, the broiler house incorporated 15-cm-thick cellulose-based pads. Results obtained in August–September 2007 revealed a cooling efficiency of 69.35%, a 5.19°C decrease from the outside air temperature after passing through the pads, and a 1.52°C increase in air temperature at the exit point, which was located at the end of the broiler house.