The typical modern broiler house required by George’s, Tyson, or Simmons, is much more environmentally controlled, and much larger size, ranging from:
- 43′ x 500′
- 46′ x 520′
- 54′ x 500′
- 66′ x 600′
New Houses or “retrofitted” houses typically have the following items not found in the conventional houses:
Evaporative cooling system (Kool-cells)
This improves the livability of these larger birds in the hot summer months by reducing the inside temperature by 10-15 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. In conjunction with this system, the fans are larger size tunnel fans (48”-60”) and placed at the opposite end of the house from the Kool-cell pads. This forces all the air to the birds to come through the wet pads which brings oxygen to the birds and removes the carbon dioxide and heat from the birds.
Solid insulated sidewalls and insulated drop ceilings
This provides propane/natural gas savings in the cold winter months and increases wind speed for tunnel fans used in Kool-cell systems. This increased wind speed requires a tighter house with the goal of having all the air drawn into the house through the evaporative cooling pads and removing excess heat from the birds as quickly as reasonably possible to keep the birds alive and comfortable.
Computerized controllers with back-up controllers
This provides reliable and consistent control of the poultry equipment to create the optimum environment for maximum weight gain, livability, and feed efficiency.
Auxiliary electrical power source
This is provided by a self-contained generator(s) with auto start and electrical transfer switch if the primary power source fails. It allows the electrical systems to continue to function, especially the tunnel fans to continue to operate, keeping the birds alive.
Alarm systems
This consists of a pager/siren or combination of both to alert the grower of an environmental condition in the houses that could harm the birds. This system automatically dials cell or landline phone numbers or sends messages to phones or computers to inform the grower that a system has failed or is outside the parameters set for temperature, lights, water, power outage, etc.
Brooding systems
This consists of more energy efficient central or zone controlled radiant brooders with electric start or tube heaters instead of conventional gas jet brooders with a pilot light. They provide a more consistent heat source to maximize the comfort of the birds, especially baby chicks, during cold months, in order to maximize growth and increase livability and feed efficiency.