Peak heating occurs at coldest expected outside temperature and highest brood set-point (32°C, day-1 chicks). ΔT of 25-40°C is normal at brood.

Radiant or convective?

Radiant brooders heat chicks directly and save 15-25% fuel vs. hot-air furnaces sized to the same design point. This calculator gives total BTU; brooder count is indicative.

Heating

Brooder heating — BTU sizing.

Compute peak brooder heat load and indicative gas-brooder count for a poultry house at design outside temperature, from floor area and building envelope.

Inputs

Floor area (m²)Inside-outside ΔT (°C)Brooding target ~32°C; design outside min sets ΔT.Envelope U-value (W/m²·K)0.35 well-insulated; 0.6 baseline; >0.8 poor.

Results

Envelope loss: 22.5 kW
Total heat load: 27.0 kW
Peak BTU/hr: 92124
40k BTU brooders: 3

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FAQ

Common questions

Why include ΔT?: Peak heating occurs at coldest expected outside temperature and highest brood set-point (32°C, day-1 chicks). ΔT of 25-40°C is normal at brood.
Radiant or convective?: Radiant brooders heat chicks directly and save 15-25% fuel vs. hot-air furnaces sized to the same design point. This calculator gives total BTU; brooder count is indicative.