A survey of ventilation rates in livestock buildings in Northern Europe

Ventilation rates in 329 livestock buildings in Northern Europe (England, The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany) in winter and summer were estimated from a carbon dioxide (mass balance). On the basis of 500 kg liveweight, the mean ventilation rate across all countries was 341 m(3)/h for cattle, 241 m(3)/h for pigs and 451 m(3)/h for poultry during winter. The corresponding summer ventilation rates were 404, 428 and 965 m(3)/h (500 kg) liveweight, respectively. Recommended maximum ventilation rates in summer were not reached in some pig and poultry houses: the installed capacity may have been insufficient to avoid heat stress. Conversely, winter ventilation rates were not always sufficient to maintain an acceptable quality of air in some types of building, e.g. broiler houses. (C) 1998 Silsoe Research Institute.