title: Microclimate measuring and fluid‑dynamic simulation in an industrial broiler house: testing of an experimental ventilation system.
abstract: The environment in the broiler house is a combination of physical and biological factors generating a complex dynamic system of interactions between birds, husbandry system, light, temperature, and the aerial environment. Ventilation plays a key role in this scenario. It is pivotal to remove carbon dioxide and water vapor from the air of the hen house. Adequate ventilation rates provide the most effective method of controlling temperature within the hen house. They allow for controlling the relative humidity and can play a key role in alleviating the negative effects of high stocking density and of wet litter. In the present study the results of experimental tests performed in a breeding broiler farm are shown. In particular the efficiency of a semi transversal ventilation system was studied against the use of a pure transversal one. In order to verify the efficiency of the systems, fluid dynamic simulations were carried out using the software Comsol multiphysics. The results of this study show that a correct architectural and structural design of the building must be supported by a design of the ventilation system able to maintain the environmental parameters within the limits of the thermo‑neutral and welfare conditions and to achieve the highest levels of productivity.
authors.affiliation: University of Bari - DISAAT Dept., Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Biagio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Ferruccio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giametta
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Fianza
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Catalano
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D008834:Microclimate; D014691:Ventilation