Is your poultry house in Thailand losing birds every hot season?
The heat and humidity are killing your profits. I have seen it too many times.
Evaporative cooling pads lower the air temperature entering your poultry house by 5°C to 11°C. This works even in Thailand’s humid climate. The pads use water evaporation to cool the air before it reaches your chickens. You can get a safer, more productive flock without expensive air conditioners.
But not all cooling pads work the same. And in Thailand, you face extra problems like high humidity, dust, and algae. So let me walk you through what really works. I am Zora Guo from Yichen. My factory has been making exhaust fans and cooling pads for hot countries like Thailand for years. I will share the honest answers you need.
Why Do Thai Poultry Houses Need Evaporative cooling Pads to Combat Extreme Heat and Humidity?
Your chickens are suffering. When the temperature hits 35°C, they stop eating and start dying. That is a direct loss for you.
Heat stress reduces egg production by up to 20% and weight gain by 30% in broilers. Evaporative cooling pads solve this by dropping the inlet air temperature. Your chickens feel cooler, eat more, and stay alive. This is the most cost-effective solution for Thai farms.
Why Thailand’s climate is especially hard on poultry
Thailand has two main seasons: hot and hotter. From March to June, daytime temperatures often go above 38°C. But the real problem is the humidity. In many regions, relative humidity stays above 70% for months. High humidity stops your chickens from cooling themselves through panting. So they overheat quickly.
I remember talking to a farm owner in Chon Buri. He told me he lost 500 birds in one week last April. His old fans just pushed hot air around. The chickens had no relief. That is when he called me.
How evaporative cooling pads work differently from simple fans
A regular fan moves air but does not lower the temperature. An evaporative cooling pad system actually cools the air. Here is the science: hot dry air passes through wet pads. The water evaporates and takes heat from the air. So the air that comes out is cooler and more humid.
But you might ask: “What if the air is already wet?” Good question. In Thailand, you still get a cooling effect. Even at 80% humidity, a good pad system can drop the temperature by 3°C to 5°C. That is enough to save your birds.
The three biggest heat-related problems in Thai poultry houses
| Problem | Effect on Chickens | Without cooling pad | With Yichen cooling pad |
|---|---|---|---|
| High temperature (>35°C) | Reduced feed intake, slower growth | Mortality rate up to 15% | Mortality below 3% |
| High humidity (>70%) | Poor heat dissipation via panting | Eggs get smaller, shell quality drops | Stable egg production |
| Poor air circulation | Ammonia buildup, respiratory issues | More diseases, higher vet bills | Fresh, cool air constantly |
I have seen farms in Saraburi and Ratchaburi fix these problems with our pads. The owners tell me their birds eat normally even in April. So yes, cooling pads are not a luxury. They are a must-have.
Why other cooling methods fail in Thailand
Some farmers try misting systems. But misting adds more water to the air. In high humidity, that water does not evaporate. It just makes the litter wet. Wet litter leads to footpad dermatitis and ammonia. Air conditioners work but cost too much to run for a whole poultry house. That leaves evaporative cooling pads as the only practical choice.
My advice: do not wait until your birds start dying. Install pads before the hot season. You will see the difference in your feed conversion ratio and your daily mortality count.
What Temperature Drop Can You Realistically Expect from Cooling Pads in Different Regions of Thailand?
Every supplier promises big cooling. But I want to be honest with you. The temperature drop depends on where your farm is.
In dry regions like Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen, you can get an 8°C to 11°C drop. In humid regions like Bangkok or Chon Buri, expect 5°C to 7°C. That is still enough to keep your chickens safe and productive. Do not believe anyone who promises 15°C everywhere.
Breaking down the real numbers by region
I have shipped cooling pads to farms all over Thailand. Based on my customers’ feedback and my own tests, here is a realistic table:
| Region | Typical hot season humidity | Realistic temperature drop | Best pad type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern (Chiang Mai, Lamphun) | 40-60% | 8-11°C | Cellulose 7090 |
| Northeastern (Khon Kaen, Udon Thani) | 50-70% | 7-10°C | Cellulose 7090 |
| Central (Bangkok, Ayutthaya) | 65-80% | 5-7°C | Cellulose with higher density |
| Eastern (Chon Buri, Rayong) | 70-85% | 4-6°C | Cross-fluted pad |
| Southern (Surat Thani, Hat Yai) | 75-90% | 3-5°C | Combined pads + extra fans |
Why humidity is the real killer of cooling performance
Let me explain. Evaporative cooling works by turning water into vapor. That process takes heat from the air. But if the air already holds a lot of water vapor (high humidity), it cannot take more. So the cooling effect drops.
I had a customer in Songkhla who was disappointed. He only got a 4°C drop. He thought our pads were bad. Then I explained: his humidity was 85% at noon. No pad can do more than that. But even a 4°C drop from 36°C to 32°C saved his birds. He later sent me a photo of his healthy flock. So set realistic expectations.
How to measure your farm’s potential cooling
You can do a simple test. Buy a hygrometer (costs about 500 baht). Measure the temperature and humidity outside your poultry house at 1 PM. Then use this rule of thumb:
- If humidity is under 50%: you can get 10-12°C drop.
- If humidity is 50-70%: you get 7-9°C drop.
- If humidity is over 70%: you get 4-6°C drop.
- If humidity is over 85%: do not expect more than 3°C.
But here is a secret. Even a small drop matters. For a broiler, lowering the temperature from 36°C to 32°C reduces heat stress significantly. So do not ignore cooling pads just because you live in a humid area.
The role of pad thickness and material
Our Yichen pads come in two thicknesses: 150mm and 300mm. Thicker pads give more cooling but also need stronger fans. For most Thai farms, 150mm is enough. But if you are in a dry northern area, 300mm can push the drop to 12°C. Talk to my team. We will help you choose based on your exact location and house size.
How to Size and Install Cooling Pads with Exhaust Fans for Optimal Airflow and Cooling Efficiency?
Many farmers buy cooling pads and then install them wrong. I see this all the time. Wrong sizing leads to no cooling. Wrong fan placement leads to hot spots. Let me give you the simple rules.
You need 2 square meters of cooling pad area for every 1,000 cubic meters per minute of fan capacity. Place pads on one side wall and exhaust fans on the opposite wall. The air velocity must reach 1.5 to 2.0 meters per second across your birds. This is the only way to get even cooling.
Step 1: Calculate your poultry house volume
First, measure your house. Length x width x average height = volume in cubic meters. Let me give an example. A typical Thai broiler house: 100m long, 12m wide, average height 2.5m. That is 100 x 12 x 2.5 = 3,000 cubic meters.
You want to change the air every minute. So you need exhaust fans that move 3,000 cubic meters per minute (CMM).
Step 2: Size your cooling pad area
The rule I use: for every 1,000 CMM of fan capacity, you need 2 square meters of pad area. So for 3,000 CMM, you need 6 square meters of pad area.
But here is a tip from my experience. Add 20% extra pad area for safety. Dust and algae will block some of the pad over time. So I recommend 7.2 square meters for that 3,000 CMM house.
Step 3: Choose the right exhaust fans
Not all fans move the same air. You need fans with a high CFM rating. I recommend our Yichen negative pressure fans. Here is a simple table for fan sizing:
| House size (length x width) | Recommended fan model | Number of fans | Total CMM | Pad area needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60m x 10m (1,500 m³ volume) | Yichen 36-inch | 2 fans | 2,000 CMM | 4 m² |
| 80m x 12m (2,400 m³ volume) | Yichen 48-inch | 3 fans | 3,200 CMM | 6.5 m² |
| 100m x 12m (3,000 m³ volume) | Yichen 48-inch | 4 fans | 4,200 CMM | 8.5 m² |
| 120m x 15m (4,500 m³ volume) | Yichen 54-inch | 5 fans | 6,000 CMM | 12 m² |
Step 4: Install correctly – do these four things
1. Pad placement
Put all cooling pads on one side wall (the inlet side). Use the entire wall if possible. Do not put pads on both sides. That creates air short-circuits.
2. Fan placement
Put exhaust fans on the opposite wall. Space them evenly. Fans should be 1.5 to 2.0 meters above the floor. This pulls air across the birds’ height.
3. Air inlets
If you use a tunnel ventilation system, close all other inlets. The air must come only through the wet pads.
4. Air speed test
After installation, use an anemometer. Measure the air speed at bird level. It should be 1.5 to 2.0 m/s. If it is lower, you need more fans. If it is higher, you can slow them down with a controller.
A common mistake I see in Thailand
Many farmers put the exhaust fans on the same wall as the pads. That is useless. You need cross-flow. The air must travel the full length of the house. Also, do not put the pads too high. The cool air sinks. So keep pads from the floor up to 1.8 meters high. That way cool air stays at bird level.
I once visited a farm in Nakhon Ratchasima. They installed the pads at 2 meters high. All the cool air went to the ceiling. The chickens on the floor were still hot. We moved the pads down. Their mortality dropped by half in one week.
What Simple Maintenance (Algae Control, Pad Cleaning, Water Quality) Keeps Cooling Pads Working in Thailand’s Humid, Dusty Conditions?
You bought the pads. You installed them. Now the real work begins. Thailand’s heat, dust, and sunlight cause algae and clogging. But maintenance is simple if you do it every week.
Clean your cooling pads every 14 days with a mild acid or pad cleaner. Control algae by keeping the water dark and adding a small amount of chlorine (2-5 ppm). Replace pads every 2 to 3 years. Good water quality from a filter or softener makes pads last longer.
The three enemies of cooling pads in Thailand
| Enemy | What it does | How to spot it | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algae | Blocks air gaps, reduces cooling by up to 40% | Green slime on pad surface | Add UV cover on water tank, use algaecide |
| Dust and sediment | Clogs pad fibers, stops water flow | Brown buildup, water not spreading evenly | Clean with low-pressure water and pad cleaner |
| Hard water (scale) | Calcium deposits harden the pad | White crust on pads | Use water softener or vinegar rinse |
Week-by-week maintenance schedule
I suggest you put this schedule on your farm wall. Do not skip weeks.
Every morning (takes 5 minutes)
- Check that water is flowing evenly over all pads.
- Look for dry spots. Dry spots mean a clog.
- Listen to the pump. If it sounds noisy, clean the pump filter.
Every week (takes 30 minutes)
- Turn off the system.
- Rinse pads gently with a garden hose. Do not use high pressure – it damages the paper.
- Clean the water tank. Remove leaves, dust, and dead insects.
- Add a small amount of chlorine (2 ppm) to the water. This stops algae without hurting chickens.
Every 14 days (takes 1 hour)
- Use a commercial pad cleaner or a mild acid (like citric acid).
- Soak the pads for 15 minutes. Then rinse.
- Check the pump and water distribution pipe. Remove any blockage.
Every 6 months
- Take the pads out. Lay them flat. Clean both sides.
- Check for soft spots or crumbling edges. That means replace soon.
- Inspect the fan belts and motors. Tight or replace as needed.
How to handle algae – Thailand’s biggest problem
Algae love warm, wet, sunny places. Your cooling pad is perfect for them. But algae block the tiny air passages. I have seen pads lose half their cooling in two months because of algae.
Here is my simple fix. First, cover your water tank. Algae need light to grow. Use a dark plastic cover. Second, add a small amount of copper sulfate or an algaecide (safe for animals). Third, clean the tank every week. Do not let water sit for days.
One of my customers in Rayong told me his pads were “useless” after three months. I asked him about his water tank. It was open to the sun. It was green with algae. He covered it and added chlorine. Within two weeks, his cooling came back.
Water quality matters more than you think
Thailand’s groundwater often has high mineral content. Hard water leaves scale on pads. Scale makes the pads stiff and brittle. They break apart.
What can you do? If your water is hard (above 200 ppm calcium), install a simple water softener. It costs around 5,000 baht. That small investment can double your pad life. Also, use a filter to remove sand and dirt. I have seen farms in Isaan use pond water directly. That kills pads in one season. Do not do that.
When to replace your pads
Even with good maintenance, pads wear out. Here are the signs:
- The paper feels soft and crumbles when you touch it.
- You see holes or tears.
- After cleaning, the cooling effect is still low.
- The pads are more than 3 years old.
A new set of pads costs a fraction of what you lose from dead chickens. So do not be cheap. Replace them on time. I always tell my customers: “A dirty or old pad is worse than no pad, because it gives you false hope.”
Conclusion
Cooling pads save Thai chickens from deadly heat. Size them right, clean them weekly, and expect 5-11°C drop.
