Something Simple yet Something Profound

Be sure to do this often during hot weather

Something simple, yet has a profound effect on the care of birds in summer heat. Using a simple toilet brush to brush down fans of cobwebs, dust, feathers and other materials from

fans and fan related equipment is a must. By many accounts fan efficiency goes down with the loading of dust. By cleaning the fans, the fan blades have a better bite to the air and therefore can move more air. Thus, a house could move more air and make the difference in heat stressed birds and reduce heat related problems.

Remember good fan safety. Have a “lock-out” program or have individual fan kill switches at the fans themselves to prevent accidental start-up while you are cleaning the fans. Have a sign on the entrance to the house that you are performing a lock-out so folks will know workers are working with fans.

While compressed air can clean a majority of dust, dirt and feathers, I find it helpful to brush away any remaining materials from louvers, and fan blades with a simple toilet brush. While you are at it check belts and tensioners (if installed) and remember to brush off motors as well. For a few bucks the payback is well worth the expense.

The Importance of Shade in Hot Weather

Something That Casts Shade Can Be Vital

Source: www.travelingbaby.com

 When you think of it refrigeration cooling became popular during the 1950's when equipment could be sized to cool a house.  Even today, not all houses are air conditioned.  So even with large scale housing, some cooling effect can be made with plantings of trees near the houses.  By casting shadows on the houses, intake air temps are reduced and could mean the difference between life and death for a flock in high temp summer heat.

With smaller flocks, shade is a logical choice to cool the flock as it is cost effective and simple to set up.  a 4x8 sheet of plywood on sawhorses can offer ranging birds a place to get away from the radiational heating of direct sun.

If trees are not applicable, considering awnings and other roof extensions that will shade the inlets to the house.  Each of these structural changes will enhance cooling without undue higher cost.

Heat stress - Putting Ventilation to the TEST

photo: golearngeo.wordpress.com

Keeping Cool Takes Work 

When we consider cooling birds, most producers first turn to a fan for help.  Fans do a great job of reducing temperature of a poultry house by using convection to help remove heat that is surrounding the bird.  Birds use the evaporation of water from their respiratory system to help cool their bodies.  Larger comb varieties also cool themselves by circulating blood through their comb and wattles.  Testing the air by using a hygrometer to test temperature depression using ventilation is a simple method to determine the possible effectiveness of using fans.

Two things a caretaker should concern themselves during hot weather.  Keeping the fans running efficiently, and running them long enough to help the birds cool properly.

Proper fan maintenance, includes brushing off shutters and doors to keep them free of any dirt and debris.  This also includes the brushing off of fan blades so that they will "Bite" the air properly to move air through the fan.  Do not attempt to brush off a fan without stopping electrical power to the unit.  Do not forget to brush off the motor, as even sealed motors can cool better when not covered in dust!  While brushing off fans, check belts and pulleys for wear and replace these as soon as possible.  Worn pulleys will actually slow down a fan reducing the volume of air that can be moved.

Lastly, fans should run long enough to bring house temps down long enough for the birds to rest from heat stress.  Consider overshooting house temp by allowing a house to cool to 70 degrees long enough for birds to eat and digest their food.  If done during the cool part of the day, egg production and growth in meat birds should continue even on the weeks of high daily temperatures.