Warmer weather is around the corner, and now is a good time to conduct poultry house maintenance to help protect bird comfort and promote profitability. Below are important checks recommended by Cumberland district manager, Mark Cook.

• Fans — Check fan belts for tightness and to make sure they ride on top of the pulleys rather than inside. Grease the bearings and wash or clean fan housings and shutters of any dirt or debris. “Even a thin film of dust can change the air flow, reducing performance,” Cook says.
• Cool Cells — Clean cool cell pads, using an approved cleanser to remove mineral deposits. Dirty cool cells restrict air flow and reduce fan performance.
• Building Exterior — Inspect the outside of the poultry house, and repair any burst pipes or other structural issues. This can include building damage caused by rodents attempting to gain access during the winter months. “A poultry house operates like a wind tunnel, and any holes can disrupt the desired air flow,” Cook says.

He adds that warm weather prep ideally should be completed no later than March 1 in southern and southeastern states, and according to local climate conditions in other poultry-producing regions of the country.