Comparison of Direct vs. Indirect Ventilation Rate Determination for Manure Belt Laying Hen Houses
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
Dates of Existence
1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
Related Units
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Abstract
Direct measurement of ventilation rate in livestock housing can be a formidable task due to uncontrollable variations in fan and system performance as caused by factors such as operation static pressure, fan belt condition, and dust accumulation on shutters and blades. Indirect, CO2-balance method offers a potentially viable, more flexible alternative to estimating ventilation rate. The reliability of CO2 balance method depends on the validity of relationship between CO2 production and metabolic rate of the animals and the knowledge of CO2 generation by the housing environment. Metabolic rates of modern laying hens have recently been quantified in intensive large-scale laboratory measurements. However, performance of the indirect method remains to be evaluated under field production conditions. This paper compares ventilation rates of a commercial laying hen house with manure belt (manure removed daily) obtained from direct measurement based on in-situ fan performance and runtime vs. indirect determination based on CO2 balance. The results indicate that indirect determination based on CO2 balance was well in agreement with that of direct measurement. Application of the CO2-balance method to evaluate building ventilation rate can improve the affordability and versatility of poultry emission studies.
Comments
This is an ASAE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 044177.