Design Challenges and Innovative Solutions for Poultry Closed House Across Tropical, Subtropical, and Temperate Regions

Abstract

A closed house is designed to create a controlled, optimal environment for the growth of broiler chickens. The main principle is to regulate the temperature, humidity, air circulation, and gas levels inside the house to suit the physiological needs of the chickens, thereby maximising production performance and livestock health. House design, especially in closed houses, is strongly influenced by climate because it determines the need for temperature control, humidity, ventilation, and protection against heat or cold stress. This study aims to (1) describe the differences in closed house broiler chicken designs; (2) identify challenges to create a better design to adapt to the climate in three regions with different climates, namely tropical, subtropical, and temperate. The research method used is descriptive with a literature study approach and secondary data analysis from various studies related to poultry house design and broiler chicken performance in each climate zone. The results showed that closed house designs in tropical regions emphasised active ventilation and cooling systems (such as cooling pads and exhaust fans) to overcome high temperatures and humidity, thereby maintaining house temperatures in the range of 30–32°C and supporting optimal productivity. Design challenges for a closed house in a tropical area include coping with constant overheating and humidity. In improve fan and cooling pad efficiency, energy-saving fans and automatic water-circulating cooling pads can be used to save energy. Tunnel roof ventilation, a double roof using an aluminium foil-coated roof or sandwich panels, can be used to reduce cooling loads. In subtropical and temperate regions, housing design focuses more on thermal insulation, the use of heaters during winter, and ventilation systems that can be adjusted according to seasonal changes to maintain stable temperature and humidity. Therefore, a poultry house must accommodate extreme seasonal conditions by using dual-purpose ventilation and insulated walls and a roof. These design adjustments have been proven to affect broiler chicken performance, energy efficiency, and livestock welfare in each region. In conclusion, climate differences require adaptations to closed-house coop designs to create an optimal microenvironment for broiler chicken growth and health