Poultry energy use studied When It comes to con serving energy, the U.S. poultry and egg industry claims a pretty good track record. But, say USDA economists, there’s room for improvement. In 1974,-American poultry producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers used over 146 trillion Btu in natural gas, petroleum, electricity, propane, and other energy, for a total cost of $550 million. On the farm side, the producers' energy bill came to $126 million-or roughly-2 per cent of their gross farm income from poultry and eggs. Their bills for propane, electricity, and gasoline alone came to 1.9 cents for every live broiler, 15 cents for each turkey, and 11 cents per laying hen. Brooding accounted for over 70 per cent of the energy used in poultry production, lighting and Lancaster Farming. Saturday. April 23,1977 ventilation claimed 11 per cent, and waste handling, hauling, and operating feeding equipment ac counted for almost 18 per cent. On the bright side, energy use per head has fallen off since the mid-1960’5, as more efficient use of heating fuels, .particularly for broilers, has offset larger electricity needs, especially for layers and turkeys. However, economists say that individual producers can still cut their energy use and bills-by 20 to 50 per cent. The economists claim that, in short run, saving energy is simply a matter of paying attention to details and making minor ad justments to existing practices. Also keeping good energy use records will help spot trouble areas and check for savings when ad justments are made. Among actual production operations, brooding requires vast amounts of energy to heat poultry houses. But producers can hold the line on heating costs by following a few simple guidelines such as locating brooders in the center of houses, using solid brooder guards like sheet metal or corrugated paper, clustering brooders in groups of three or four, and by following manufacturers’ suggested maintenance on all brooding equipment. Partial house brooding, where a plastic curtain closes off a section of the poultry house for young chicks, can mean an energy savings of up to 25 per cent. Installing winterized side curtains on poultry houses can trim fuel use 10 to 15 per cent. It also helps to shut off brooder piolt lights as the birds grow older and require less supplemental heat. Poultry house lighting offers another chance to conserve. A system of in termittent lighting such as 8 hours of light, followed by 10 hours of dark, 2 hours of light, and 4 hours of dark (compared with the traditional 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark) can save electricity use by 25 per cent. Producers can also burn 25 to 50 per cent less electricity by reducing light intensity. Keeping light bulbs clean and adding reflectors will provide maximum light at minimum wattage. TRY A CLASSIFIED AD! COMPLETE FARM PAINTING We Use Quality PAINT AERIAL LADDER EQUIPMENT * Modern and Efficient Method * Reasonable Prices * Spray On and Brush In Method * Sandblasting it Necessary FOR FREE ESTIMATES WRITE: ESH SPRAY PAINTING (DanwlS Eth C Ralph Miller) SPRAY ON AND BRUSH-IN PAINTER B ox 350 A Ronks.PA 17572 INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL 101
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