With colder weather approaching, it’s time for maintenance checks to keep birds cozy and ensure that poultry houses run as efficiently as possible throughout the fall and winter.
Kyle Burns, Cumberland district manager, recommends six maintenance checks to promote bird health and productivity during cold weather.
- Building integrity – Walk around the poultry house exterior to check for any holes, damage or other openings that will allow cold air to enter the building. A sealed exterior is important in maintaining proper ventilation flow inside.
- Static pressure controllers – Make sure static pressure controllers read zero when fans are off. If the pressure gauge within your barn does not measure barn static pressure accurately, inlets may open too much or too little, leading to drafts, excessive fuel usage or poor air quality.
- Cool cells – Drain cool cell reservoirs and lines inside and outside the building to prevent freezing. Remove and store pumps so they are not affected by the winter elements.
- Fans – Clean dust and debris from fans, shutters and other covers. Check and replace any worn belts and bearings. An underperforming fan will need to run longer, exposing the birds to cold air and poor ventilation.
- Heaters – Blow off dust and dirt that may have accumulated on the top of heaters and inspect them. Clean furnace/brooder burner orifices, inspect rubber gas lines for cracks or nicks, and check gas pressure, as heaters and furnaces don’t work as efficiently with inconsistent or low pressure. You can also have your gas company check the pressure.
- Air inlets – Make sure that sidewall inlets open uniformly. Clean the screens over sidewall inlet openings. Dirty screens reduce the distance that air can be drawn across the barn by 20% or more, reducing the amount of heat the incoming air receives before it drops to the floor.
“Performing these important maintenance steps will ensure that poultry houses are ready when cold weather arrives, providing an ideal environment for your birds,” Burns says.
For additional information, producers can contact their Cumberland dealer or visit CumberlandPoultry.com.
