Bioenergy Heating For Drier Poultry Sheds

Why Is Litter Drier When Using Bioenergy Heating Instead Of LPG?

Ultimately this is due to the type of heat generated by bioenergy heating systems, compared to LPG (liquid petroleum gas).

The heat from bioenergy systems - such as direct hot air generators or indirect water to air boilers, is typically a ‘dry’ heat, similar to the heat generated by a hot water radiator in your home. LPG on the other hand, produces a ‘damp' heat, this due to the moisture contained in LPG.

The challenge with LPG is that whilst providing heat to sheds, it also raises humidity levels. This makes keeping litter dry more difficult, resulting in an unhealthy environment for poultry.

Large-scale chicken meat farmers have reported the following, when switching to bioenergy heating technology from conventional LPG:

a) They were converting a higher percentage of healthy chickens. This was a result of drier sheds which improved the living environment, reducing both hock/pad burn and bird losses.

b) They benefited from a significant decrease in heating costs.