Solar energy for brooding(poultry) purpose? Any idea how to develop one?

Question

Without converting the heat from the sun to electrical energy?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

I'd go for a solar water heating panel, use a large heat sump of some sort as the brooder. This will smooth out the variation in heat. If you filled the sump with glass (old bottles) this will smooth it out even more.

You should also make the hot water available at other times of year.

You might want to consider some backup in case of long, cold, sunless spells. And yes, it sounds like you should be into permaculture.

Answer 3

This is one of the classic Permaculture design tutorials; so get on a permaculture course. I recommend any books by Patrick Whitefield http://www.patrickwhitefield.co.uk/

eg put the chicken house on the north of a greenhouse - provides fodder, heat, extra water harvesting. & extra CO2 & compost material from chicken help plants grow .

Answer 4

Is it just to power your heat lamps ? or to run the lights/fans etc for barn raised ?