SIMULATION ANALYSIS OF A NEW TEMPERATURE CONTROL METHOD FOR POULTRY HOUSING

A new control method for temperature control is presented which utiliz es both a time-integrated value (TIV) and an instantaneous value of in side air temperature as the basis for making control decisions. Curren t control strategies neglect the thermal history of both the air space and the animal but there are gains to be made by using a control algo rithm that employs dynamic control of the target control variable. It is demonstrated that increased economic efficiency is obtained using t ime-integrated control. Simulation analysis was used to predict energy savings and changes in bird performance for a series of TIV control a lgorithms. On the basis of these simulations, it was concluded that th e TIV control strategy imporoved net returns compared with those obtai ned using a conventional control strategy. TIV control targets for tem perature should be selected to reduce excessive fan usage and to preve nt any mortality if at all possible. The economic parameters assumed f or feed cost and meat value have a large impact on the selection of an optimal control strategy. (C) 1995 Silsoe Research Institute