Poultry barns are necessary to heat, especially for the development and weight gain of broiler chickens which are raised specifically for the food industry. The heat is adjusted according to how the chickens grow, and typically starts out warmer for newly hatched chickens and gradually decreases over a period of five weeks. Throughout this process until the chickens are ready to enter the market, the barn temperature needs to be maintained properly. This is also important since a chicken’s appetite is associated with the temperature. Chickens tend not to eat if it is too cold or too hot, but with a consistent evenly distributed temperature, it stimulates their appetite and activity which is essential for their development.
Using an in-floor hydronic heating system has many benefits. Even heat distribution consistently warms the barn closer to the ground where the chickens are located. Hydronic heat also has no energy loss through ducts or irregular air flow, which in turn is more energy efficient and economical to operate.
Hydronic systems can be used with a variety of boilers including wood, oil, natural gas or solar heaters. In-floor heat can also reduce the amount of poultry bedding needed on the interior floors of the barn. Although hydronic systems can have a greater cost of construction, they are a good investment for farmers wanting to save on operating/heating costs as well as long-term total cost of ownership, and in turn provide a better quality, healthier chicken with lower CO and humidity levels!
Amvic Inc. recently provided the Ampex Insulated Pex Panel for a Poultry Barn in Drayton, Ontario. Details are below:
Project Overview
Project Name: Hubert Poultry Barn
Project Type: Agriculture
Location: Drayton, Ontario
Size: 26,400 sq. ft.
Floors: 1 Storey
Amvic Installer Gleeson Plumbing Inc.
Amvic Product: Ampex Panel for Hydronic Radiant Heating
The Amvic Advantage
- Durability
- Speed and ease of installation
- Eliminates breakage and replacement
- Less labour required
- Significantly lower operational costs
- Customer confident in their investment
- Healthier living for livestock
Q. What is the major benefit of using hydronic radiant heating for agricultural applications?
A. The benefits of using hydronic heating for agricultural applications, specifically poultry barns, is that hydronic heating provides lower humidity levels, lowers CO levels and in turn equals better health for the birds.
Q. Why did you choose Amvic’s Ampex Insulated Pex Panel?
A: We have used other PEX panels before but the Ampex panel by Amvic is easy to install, and it is easier to walk in the tubing, especially since poultry barns are fairly large. We also like that the panels are sturdy which allows the concrete guys to work on the panels after they are laid without causing any damage.
“We use hydronic heat for poultry barns because it is beneficial in this application to heat closer to the ground where the chickens are, allowing a consistent temperature in the space its most needed, without needing to heat the entire room. Hydronic heat is also healthier for the birds which in turn provides a better-quality chicken. With the Ampex Insulated Pex Panel, owners can also reduce the amount of poultry bedding required on the interior floor of the barn. Hydronic heating lowers the operating cost and provides a better return on the growth and sale of the chickens.”
“We were able to walk in the piping for this particular 440′ x 60′ barn in efficient time and we were able to have other trades walk on the laid panels without effecting the already installed tubing, or the panels itself. Overall this was a great project and we look forward to using the Ampex panel in future poultry barns.”
– Brandon Gleeson, Gleeson Plumbing Inc
About the Ampex Panel:
Ampex is an insulated panel used for hydronic radiant floor (slab) systems both for interior and exterior applications. Available in a wide range of compressive strengths and thermal resistance values to meet the needs of most projects. The combination of molded Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation with High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) film, makes for a strong and resilient panel. The panel combines rigid insulation, a vapor barrier and PEX tubing locking mechanism into a single solution that significantly reduces installation me. Ideal for installation in basements, driveways, garages, workshops and barns.
Learn more at: Amvicsystem.com