Georgia Researchers Turn to Smart Tech to Improve Poultry House Conditions

The Farm Monitor takes us along to see how they’re leaning on technology to improve poultry production.

TIFTON, Ga. (Farm Monitor) — Keeping a poultry house comfortable is key to a happy flock.

Dr. Brian Fairchild, a professor with the University of Georgia’s Department of Poultry Science, says tools like thermal cameras, pressure gauges, and airflow monitors help producers keep conditions in check.

Fairchild says thermal cameras allow producers to quickly spot temperature differences inside a poultry house. Birds naturally give off heat, showing up brighter on the screen, while cooler areas appear darker. That can be especially important when birds are young and more sensitive to colder temperatures.

He says pressure gauges are another tool, helping producers identify potential air leaks inside the house.

Those measurements can be used with Poultry411, an app Fairchild developed to help producers calculate and manage different environmental factors.

“We developed the Poultry411 app about five or six years ago. It’s got five calculators in it. Probably the two that you use the most are the minimum ventilation calculator and the poultry house leakage calculator.”

The Poultry411 app is available on both iOS and Android and includes tools for English and Spanish users.

LEARN MORE: Poultry 411

Related Stories
Plan for a cooler global trade market in 2026 with tighter margins on exports, potential rate shifts, and premiums for reliable deliveries into Asian and African growth markets.
Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
Software developers at John Deere Digital are addressing challenges with their new Operations Center, which helps farmers make decisions on the fly.
Approximately 42,000 birds were affected in the outbreak, officials said.
AFBF Economist Bearnt Nelson joins us with insights into current turkey flock sizes, HPAI concerns, and production impacts on holiday demand.
Dr. Beetham outlined the background of the EU’s decision to modernize seed regulations and where the process stands today, and its impact on global agriculture and food security.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Strong exports support cattle and hog market fundamentals.
StoneX Director of Fertilizer Josh Linville looks at fertilizer market volatility, potential impacts on planting decisions, and what farmers should watch as the global situation in the Middle East continues to unfold.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
Kansas State University agricultural economist Dr. Gregg Ibendahl discusses rising diesel prices, the influence of global oil markets, and the potential impact on farmers heading into the spring planting season.
Vive’s Art Graves shared insights on the new Phobos FC 360 foliar fungicide, its advantages for Canadian growers, early performance results, and the company’s ongoing commitment to advanced crop protection solutions.