Abstract

The main purpose of the present study was to find an alternative source for traditional energy to provide the energy requirements in the poultry industry. The present study was conducted in four poultry houses with different heating systems (solar and conventional) and ventilation rates located in El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during June and July 2018. In this study, it was found that productivity increased by increasing the ventilation rate, where productivity reached 2.3 kg when using a solar heating system with a ventilation rate every two minutes. Productivity decreased in poultry houses with a conventional heating system and was 2 kg in ventilation rate every 2 minutes, and 1.8 kg in the ventilation rate every four minutes. The level of ammonia was also reduced with the ventilation rate every two minutes. Concentrations of ammonia ranged from 22 ppm at ventilation rate every two minutes to 28 ppm at the ventilation rate every four minutes. In addition, solar energy provided good levels of thermal requirements. It was demonstrated that solar energy as an alternative source to the conventional energy, is very efficient and can be applied on a large scale when combined with conventional electricity as a light source and within specified limits.