Identity

The modern industrial standard for intensive, high-density poultry production. Engineered as a fully enclosed, airtight building with smooth, solid sidewalls, operating strictly under a negative-pressure mechanical ventilation mechanism to generate high-velocity longitudinal airflow.

Overview

The Tunnel Ventilated House is a fully environment-controlled closed structure that represents a critical infrastructure priority in extreme hot, arid, and humid regions. By maintaining high air velocity, it effectively generates a wind-chill effect that cools the birds through convective heat transfer. It isolates the flock entirely from external meteorological fluctuations and wild bird vectors.

Structured Facts

Classification

Active Negative Pressure System / Environment-Controlled (EC) Housing.

Purpose

To completely isolate the internal microclimate from external meteorological fluctuations and cool the birds via convective heat transfer (wind-chill).

Design & Construction

Fully enclosed, airtight building constructed with smooth, solid, insulated sidewalls. Widths range from 12.0 to 15.0 meters (e.g., 40 to 50 feet). High-volume 50-inch exhaust fans are located at the exhaust end of the house, while large evaporative cooling pad inlets are positioned at the opposite end.

Environmental Controls

• Temperature: Complete climate control isolation.
• Ventilation: Negative-pressure mechanical longitudinal ventilation.
• Air Speed: Target air velocity of 600 to 700 feet per minute (3.05 to 3.56 m/s), up to 800 to 1,000 feet per minute (4.06 to 5.08 m/s).

Capacity & Layout

Houses large broilers or high-producing layers at extremely high spatial densities.

Equipment Integration

Evaporative Cooling Pad, Exhaust Fan (50-inch), Inlet Deflector Curtains, AMF Diesel Generator, Smart Controller.

Advantages

Achieves the highest levels of survivability and target FCR during extreme hot weather. Integrated contracts award the highest GC rates (e.g., INR 10.00 per kg) and adjusted FCR targets for this housing class.

Limitations

Highly dependent on active mechanical systems and electrical supply. If electrical failure occurs, the lack of natural ventilation leads to rapid suffocation and total flock loss. Must strictly maintain static pressure between 0.10 and 0.12 inches of water column; exceeding this limit crashes fan output and causes massive mortality spikes.

Biosecurity Features

Completely blocks wild bird vectors due to solid walls and sealed intakes.

Maintenance

Requires a strict preventative maintenance protocol. Standby diesel generators must be tested weekly under load, verifying a minimum of 25 kW capacity per house to support exhaust fans and water pumps.

Quantitative Data

• Stocking Density: 0.65 to 0.75 sq ft (~0.06 to 0.07 m²) per broiler.
• Temperature Range: Complete isolation from ambient.
• Ventilation Rate: Governed by Q = A x V. Requires 228,000 CFM (for 40-ft house) to 292,500 CFM (for 50-ft house).
• Air Speed: 600 to 700 ft/min (up to 1,000 ft/min).
• Floor Space: 0.65 to 0.75 sq ft per broiler.
• Energy Requirement: Minimum 25 kW backup capacity per house.
• Dimensions: Standard width 12.0 m to 15.0 m (40 ft to 50 ft). Average ceiling heights of 9.5 to 9.75 feet.

Relationships

• Equipment: Evaporative Cooling Pad, Exhaust Fan (50-inch), AMF Diesel Generator.
• Environmental Parameters: Static Pressure limits (0.10 to 0.12 in H₂O).
• Breeds: High-producing layers, large broilers.
• Diseases: Heat Stress, Suffocation.
• Biosecurity: Wild bird vector isolation.
• Production Systems: Contract Integration.
• Calculators: Airflow continuity equation (Q = A x V).