Technology for exceptional producers
When Jean-François Drouin decided to jump in the turkey industry in 2012, he didn’t know the ESA-SERIES heat exchangers would be the missing element to meet his quality standards.
Based in Plantagenet, Drouin-Joly et Filles Farm has been producing organic eggs since 2005. After starting to breed turkeys, Jean-François Drouin quickly noticed an urgent need to improve the air quality in his buildings. Turkey, which tends to generate more moisture than chickens, makes it more difficult to maintain good conditions and manage litter.
“I raise organic turkeys which means I’m not allowed to use antibiotics. I can’t afford poor quality litter, because I won’t be able to treat my birds if they get sick,” says the breeder. The objective sought by Mr. Drouin: maintain a good breeding environment while reducing heating needs.
By the time ESA falls under the producer’s radar, the conventional ventilation system in place on the farm was already questioned. The heating bill was high and the results, mixed.
ESA-1000 technology, which preserves the heat normally wasted by fans, therefore appears to him to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Many challenges: one solution
The Drouin-Joly et Filles Farm’s has four barns which each house 16,000 birds. One of the priorities of the Ontario producer has always been the cleanliness of the premises. Ease of maintenance of the devices was therefore essential.
Since the ESA-1000s are designed specifically for the agricultural environment, they’re resistant to dust, high humidity and cold weather. While reducing cold drafts on the birds they also reduce Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide which is essential in providing good air quality.They also help maintain desired humidity levels at a lower cost of heating, which is key in preserving litter quality. They operate independently or can easily interlock with ventilation control systems.
The ESA-1000 technology uses the air recovered by the exchanger to preheat the air entering buildings. So instead of being introduced into the barn at -20 ° C, the air enters at a warmer temperature.
Thanks to this system, Drouin-Joly et Filles Farm’s limits the use of its heating system and finally achieves energy savings, while reducing its CO2 levels.
The results go beyond expectations: not only are the birds less at risk of contracting diseases, but their growth rate has increased, which directly impacts their mass and quality.
“I’d say that my birds’ growth rate easily increased by one to two percent,” says the Plantagenet producer.
Going back? Mr. Drouin is definitely not thinking about it anymore. “When I had two new barns built in winter 2018, I thought I was going to go with the classic technique, without heat exchangers. Well, I can tell you that I needed some litter and wood shavings! Anyway, it didn’t go really well, he laughs. Finally, I decided to install heat exchangers and, in record time, my litter was back to incredible quality. That’s when I got the proof that this technology was really working for my farm. “
Thanks to the use of an adequate air exchanger system, Drouin-Joly et Filles Farm has been able to raise its production standards. “ I cannot speak for all farmers, because I only know my farm, says Jean-François Drouin. On the other hand, let me tell you that I would not do without it again, it is essential! “
“Let met tell you that I wouldn’t do without it again, it is essential”