792-240 Intensive Animal Housing

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to extend participants' ability to:

• monitor, evaluate, control and manage the environment in a building used for intensive housing of animals;

• recall specific legislation that relates to the intensive housing of animals;

• understand how the environment influences production;

• understand the demand for services to maintain acceptable environmental conditions;

• initiate and carry out emergency procedures in the event of a failure of environmental control systems.

This subject will cover the relationship between the animal, its feed intake, production, and the environment within the building. The emphasis will be on the environment, the control systems, and the equipment associated with the building. Topics covered will include: Heating and cooling of intensively housed animals - heat, energy, sensible heat, latent heat, heat transfer, homoeothermic heat production, energy flows, feed energy, insulation, heat loads, psychrometry. Air quality and ventilation - humidity, temperature, oxygen levels dust, toxic gases, air flow paths, air exchanges, natural ventilation, forced ventilation, fan performance, fan selection. Lighting - lighting equipment, lighting programs, lighting terminology. Effluent management- collection, treatment and disposal systems, nutrient content, BOD, treatment methods, water quality, legal requirements. Building design - functional design, pens and cages, materials, orientation, codes and regulations, control systems, feeding and watering systems.

Assessment

Two hour examination (50%); composite assignment of 2000 words (50%).