A more stable climate at Manuel Lerouge’s breeder farm

France – Keeping litter dry while providing enough fresh air is a daily challenge in poultry farming, particularly during colder periods. For French broiler breeder farmer Manuel Lerouge, improving climate control was therefore an important priority. By installing ECO Units, he found a practical way to bring preheated fresh air into his poultry houses and manage moisture more effectively.

Managing moisture during winter
Manuel has been farming broiler breeders since 2009 and currently keeps approximately 21,000 birds. During winter, managing the poultry house climate can be particularly demanding. Moisture must be removed through ventilation, while the houses still need to remain warm. This balance also affects ammonia levels and litter quality. When the incoming air is cold and humid, more heating and litter may be required to maintain suitable conditions.

The ECO Unit transfers heat from the warm air leaving the poultry house to the fresh air entering it. The two airflows remain separated. As a result, fresh outside air can be preheated before it enters the house. Manuel first became interested in the ECO Unit during visits to poultry farms in the Netherlands. Seeing the system operating under practical conditions helped him decide whether it would suit his own farm.

Clear results inside the poultry house
For Manuel, the difference goes beyond energy use and litter management. He also reports improvements in the condition and performance of his flock.

Since installing the ECO Units, Manuel has observed improved fertility, resulting in a higher number of chicks. He also sees the birds moving around more actively inside the poultry houses. Drier conditions have made a visible difference as well. Manuel says he no longer experiences problems with damaged feet related to moisture in the litter.

These results are closely connected. A drier, more stable poultry house climate supports the birds’ living environment and gives Manuel greater control over the conditions that influence flock performance.

Automatic cleaning
To maintain its performance, the ECO Unit is equipped with an automatic cleaning system. On Manuel’s farm, a cleaning cycle starts every two days. The system cleans each section of the unit and removes accumulated dust without requiring manual intervention. This makes it easier to incorporate the system into the farm’s daily operation.

“It has completely changed the way I run my farm”

He reports that he no longer needs litter and has reduced his gas consumption by a factor of four. While learning to operate and optimise the system takes some time, the impact on his farm was quickly noticeable.