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Minimum poultry shed ventilation

See the minimum air flow the shed needs and how many times the shed air is renewed per hour.

Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.

VerificationRevision 12/11/2026

Technical responsibility. This calculator is under verification. The reference values and examples are hypothetical, to illustrate the calculation, and are not technical references. The user is responsible for the data entered, the choice of parameters, and the use of the results, and must validate them with a qualified professional before any decision, purchase, application, or construction work.

Birds
Shed
Optional limits, set by you (0 = no limit)

The minimum rate should come from the system manufacturer or the applicable standard. The default values are hypothetical, only to illustrate the calculation, and are not technical references.

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—Minimum shed ventilation
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Minimum flow by ventilation rate

Flow for rates of 0.5 to 1.5 m³/h per kg live weight; the highlighted bar is your rate.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Air changes per hour by number of birds

Air changes per hour in the same shed for 5,000 to 40,000 birds; the dot is your batch.

Tap the chart to see the values.

What if the data changes?

Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Minimum flow by birds and rate

Minimum air flow, in m³/h, for different ventilation rates and bird numbers, with the average weight entered.

Step by step with your numbers

The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.

    The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.

    How to use

    Enter the number of birds, the average weight at the time of calculation, the minimum ventilation rate of your system in m³/h per kilo, and the shed dimensions. The calculator shows the minimum airflow and the air changes per hour.

    Hypothetical example (illustrative values)

    20,000 birds of 1.5 kg, rate of 1.0 m³/h per kg, shed of 120 m × 15 m × 3.5 m.

    Live weight = 20,000 × 1.5 = 30,000 kg. Minimum flow = 30,000 × 1.0 = 30,000 m³/h. Volume = 120 × 15 × 3.5 = 6,300 m³. Air changes = 30,000 ÷ 6,300 = 4.8 per hour.

    Precautions

    • The minimum flow is for winter and the initial phase. In summer, the exhaust needs to deliver much more than that.
    • Recalculate with the current weight: the minimum flow rises with bird weight over the batch.
    • For shed density, see the housing density.

    Method, assumptions, and references

    Equations used

    Minimum flow (m³/h) = Total live weight (kg) × Ventilation rate (m³/h per kg)
    Air changes per hour = minimum flow ÷ shed volume (m³)
    Shed volume (m³) = Length × Width × Usable height

    Assumptions and limits

    • Minimum ventilation rate set by the system manufacturer or the reference standard for your region.
    • Total live weight = birds housed × average weight at the time of calculation.
    • Does not consider the maximum summer ventilation, which is sized separately by the exhaust system.

    Standards and technical documents

    • Manufacturer's manual for the fans and ventilation system; applicable animal welfare standards (current editions).

    Frequently asked questions

    Which ventilation rate should I use?

    The minimum rate varies with the manufacturer and the age of the birds. Use the value given by the system or the strain manual; the result depends on this choice.

    Why is live weight included in the calculation?

    Because every kilo of bird produces heat and moisture. The more weight in the shed, the greater the air flow needed.

    Is air exchange per hour the same as ventilation?

    No. Air changes say how many times the shed's air is replaced per hour. Airflow says how much air comes in and out. Both are useful for comparing systems.

    Does the result help me choose the fan?

    This is the starting point. The final choice considers the static pressure, the fan type and the air inlet system.