Merelbeke-Melle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – ILVO is building a modern chicken house in Merelbeke-Melle, 70m long, 41m wide, for 14,000 chicks. It will feature advanced climate control and energy-saving systems and test sustainable farming methods. Completion by 2026.
As VRT News reported, to help with climate change in chicken farming, ILVO is building a new, modern chicken house. They’re getting rid of 6 old test buildings and putting up a new one in Merelbeke-Mellea, municipality in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. The new building will be big, 70 meters long and 41 meters wide, and can hold up to 14,000 chicks. It will have 9 separate rooms, each with its lights and climate control.
Officials mentioned that this way, researchers can test different conditions, like warm and humid for young chicks (about 32°C) and cooler for older chickens (about 18°C). They said that the goal is to find ways to control the climate in chicken houses so they work well even when the weather is unpredictable.
How is ILVO’s new chicken house in Merelbeke-Melle enhancing climate control and animal welfare?
Scientists will test different systems for airflow, heating, and cooling. They’ll see how different environments affect the chickens‘ health and growth and how much they use resources. For example, they can test new technologies like heat pumps and solar cooling to lower emissions and save energy.
The facility will collect lots of data on the chickens’ food use, behaviour, health, and emissions like ammonia and carbon dioxide. They mentioned that this will help ILVO give advice to farmers and policymakers. By testing in a real-life setting, ILVO hopes to help the poultry industry become more sustainable, climate-friendly, and better for the animals.
The new poultry stable, currently under construction in Merelbeke-Melle, will feature an advanced climate control system. This system is designed to improve energy efficiency and enhance the well-being of the animals. The stable will utilise 3 distinct heating methods to regulate the temperature.
Floor heating will warm the barn from the ground up, providing consistent and gentle heat distribution. Pipes embedded within the side walls will circulate hot water, radiating heat throughout the stable and helping to regulate temperatures in the surrounding areas.
Specialised heating and cooling components will modify the temperature of the air being drawn in, keeping the inside environment of the barn constant irrespective of outside weather. This built-in heating system is controlled by a highly advanced “super brain” that continuously monitors and adjusts the temperature in real time.
The new chicken barn, currently being built, will use a smart system to save energy. Officials mentioned that this is especially important because energy costs are high. The system can also adjust the temperature inside the barn to match the specific needs of the chickens. This technology helps the chickens and follows the guidelines of ILVO. The barn is expected to be completed by the middle of the year 2026.
