Numerical Simulation of Natural Ventilation Rates in Laying Hen Houses

The ventilation, which is made with help of windows, doors and other air inlets and outlets without using an air mover such as fans is called natural ventilation. Natural ventilation depends on wind force and thermal buoyancy. This study was carried out in a laying hen house in northern part of Turkey, at the coast of Black Sea. Wind velocity, air temperature and relative humidity values inside and outside the laying hen houses were measured during the hottest month for that region. A simulation program was developed for controlling the natural ventilation rates in the laying hen house then the data were verified by the developed software. The software proved that additional forced ventilation is needed for the welfare of animals in Black Sea region during the hottest month of the year.