Summary

Relative humidity at bird/litter level in meat chicken shed affects the ability for birds to regulate body temperature and affects litter drying rate. The purpose of this project is to evaluate an in-shed sprinkler system that is operated instead of evaporative cooling pads. The sprinklers reduce relative humidity at bird/litter level, which helps with birds to keep cool and they system is also be used to promote bird activity and settle dust as required.
The sprinkler cooling system applies 8-12 ml of water per square meter every 7-60 minutes. It is used for activity promotion and dust settling after approximately day 10 of a grow-out. When used for cooling, it operates more frequently. When used instead of evaporative cooling pads only one third the amount of water is required for the same amount of cooling (based on independent research) and therefore saves water and introduces less water into the poultry shed. Rather than humidifying air in the shed, it applies water to the birds and litter, which are then cooled by in-shed air speed. (Please note: This system MUST NOT be compared with the performance of fogging systems or existing bird/floor wetting systems.)
Benefits of this sprinkler system will be measured in terms of:
– temperature and relative humidity at floor level
– bird temperature (non-contact, surface temperature observations)
– litter conditions (including moisture content and caking)
– water usage compared to evaporative cooling pads and
The sprinkler system will be tested in commercial growing sheds under the supervision of the grower.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Objective Summary

– Demonstrate the application of a water sprinkler cooling system into tunnel-ventilated meat chicken sheds.
– Quantify and communicate the benefits/challenges of using the sprinkler cooling system in commercial meat chicken production in terms of growing conditions (bird ‘comfort’ temperature) and improved litter conditions and water savings.