Environmental friendly poultry production using novel precision livestock techniques

Abstract

The present economic situation in poultry production forces producers to focus on improving efficiency in order to increase their competitiveness. Among the important factors in achieving improved efficiency is the provision of an optimal building environment with low Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions. The present paper summarises the main results of a national (Greek) project running under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology. The GreenPoultry project tackles a subject of great economical and social importance for the Greek regions, especially for those where livestock operations are very intense (e.g. Epirus). Poultry breeding constitutes the most dynamic sector of Greek stock-raising representing 5% of the agricultural economy and 10% of the animal sector, while the number of raised birds has increased 75% during the last three decades. In parallel, poultry farms are considered as major rural pollutants and energy consumers. The main goal of the GreenPoultry project was to reduce the environmental footprint of poultry facilities through a sustainable reduction of released air pollutants and GHGs along with a decrease in energy consumption. This was achieved among others through the use of precision livestock farming (PLF) techniques. A set of wireless sensors for measuring environmental and climate parameters was installed in commercial poultry farms. Project's results include best design techniques concerning the poultry facility construction (i.e. building geometry and construction materials, ventilation techniques, dimensionalizing, positioning and operation strategy of E/M systems, etc.) that can lead to favorable indoor microclimate and energy reduction.