Determining of heat balance design criteria for laying hen houses under continental climate conditions

This study focuses on the heat balance status of laying hen houses in regions with continental climate. The material consists of 45 laying hen houses from 27 commercial farms selected from the survey area where continental climate prevails. These laying hen houses differ from each other with respect to capacity, planning system and materials used in construction. First observations were conducted on the size and dimensions of laying hen houses as well as construction materials used, insulation, heat loss factors, ventilation capacity, ground space per hen and total size of laying hen house in order to assess the sufficiency of heat balance. Then, seven laying hen house models were developed. These models were developed by considering the present situation in operating laying hen houses, relevant literature, features of continental climate and suggestions made by firms manufacturing laying hen house construction materials in Turkey. These models give heat conduction coefficients that will prevent moisture concentration and ensure heat balance under continental climate conditions and suggest different sets of materials that can be used on walls and roofs. At the end of the study, under the condition of no moisture on surface of structural components and in areas where the indoor and outdoor temperatures are 25.3 °C and 20.2 °C, respectively, maximum total heat conduction coefficients are calculated to be between 1.38 and 1.73 Kcal/m² °C h. According to the features of area and housing, for providing heat balance, total heat conduction coefficients requirements are calculated to be between 0.62 and 2.08 Kcal/m² °C h for walls, 0.33 and 1.62 Kcal/m² °C h for roofs. In research area, minimum ventilation capacities are determined as 0.72 m³/h hen for carbon dioxide balance and, according to outdoor temperature, as 0.83–1.20 m³/h hen for water vapor balance. Heat loss factors are calculated to be between 0.10 and 0.15 Kcal/°C h hen. We believe that these suggestions will greatly facilitate the work of project engineers in the design of laying hen houses in regions and areas with continental climate.