Poultry Heating Systems

How Poultry Heating Systems Transfer Heat

There are three fundamental ways heat is transferred in nature and technology:

• Conduction
  Heat travels through solid materials. Metals, for instance, are excellent conductors of heat.
• Convection
  Heat is transferred via a heated medium, such as liquids or air, which then circulates the warmth.
• Radiation
  Heat is emitted directly from a source. The sun is the best-known example of radiant heat.

Most heating systems use a combination of these methods, but the proportions vary significantly. At Gasolec, the focus has always been on Radiation Heat—creating "artificial suns" to replicate the natural, radiant warmth of sunlight. Over the past decades, as buildings have become increasingly well-insulated, Convection Heating has grown in popularity. At Torvic Agro, we offer Convection Heating solutions alongside Gasolec’s renowned Infrared Radiant Gas Heaters. This diverse product range ensures we can meet the specific heating needs of any environment worldwide.

Conduction:

Conduction is the transfer of heat through solid materials. Inside a poultry house, this occurs when heat spreads horizontally through the warmed floor and litter. Conduction contributes to heat distribution but is generally not used as the primary method for heating an entire poultry house.

Convection:

Convection transfers heat through the movement of warm air. Space heaters warm and circulate the air throughout the poultry house. Because warm air naturally rises, the upper parts of the building are heated before part of this heat reaches the birds, litter and floor.

Convection heating can provide uniform whole-house temperatures, but its performance depends strongly on air circulation, ventilation and building insulation.

Warm water is also often used as a transportation medium to distribute warmth, this is convection. By installing warm water lines in the floor of a poultry or pig house, these warm water lines then warm the floor around and above them through conduction.  Another option is working with radiators that warm the air around them and by moving the air one can spread the heat. Both systems work but they require large investments and their efficiency is strongly depended on the insulation of the animal houses. 

Infrared Radiation:

Infrared heating transfers energy directly from the heater towards the birds, litter and floor without first having to warm all the air inside the poultry house.

Gasolec infrared gas brooders are designed to direct a large proportion of their heat output downwards. The birds, litter and floor absorb this radiant heat and subsequently release part of it into the surrounding air.

This makes infrared heating particularly suitable for creating targeted heating areas at bird level. Good insulation remains important because it reduces overall heat loss, regardless of the heating system being used.

How Infrared Heat Reaches the Floor

• 1 - Direct infrared heat from heaters to the floor
• 2 - Horizontal heat conduction within the floor
• 3 - Indirect radiant heat and convection upward from heated floor
• 4 - Indirect radiant heat and convection flow downward from ceiling
   

Creating Comfort zones at Bird Level

Not every bird requires exactly the same amount of additional heat. Infrared brooders create a gradual temperature difference around each heater. Birds can move closer to the heat source when they require more warmth or move further away when they feel comfortable.

This freedom of movement helps create comfortable conditions for different birds within the same poultry house. Higher-performing birds may produce more body heat and therefore require less supplemental heating, while smaller or weaker birds may prefer a warmer position.

The temperature gradually decreases as the distance from the brooder increases. The exact heat pattern depends on factors such as:

• Heater capacity and gas pressure
• Mounting height
• Distance between the heaters
• Ventilation and air movement
• Floor and litter conditions
• Building insulation
• Ambient temperature

The drawings below show the heat distribution of a G12 heater from above. 

* After 30 min. heating measured on the floor with a G12 heater

Choosing the Right Poultry Heating System

The most suitable poultry heating system depends on the building, climate and production method. Important factors include the house dimensions, poultry type and age, insulation, ventilation, available gas type, gas pressure and required control system.

Torvic Agro can help compare Gasolec infrared gas brooders, radiant tube heaters and space heaters to determine which solution is most suitable for a specific poultry project.

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