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Stable ventilation

Stable ventilation

Proper stall ventilation improves the health and output of animals. Therefore, it is a topic that calls for serious consideration. Heat stress, irritation from flies, a greater chance of infection, and claw issues are just some examples of the problems animals suffer from when the climate in the stable is not properly regulated. The result is decreased productivity. When the correct measures are taken, ventilation improves the health and well-being of cattle, poultry, or pigs, just to name a few. Proper climate control is essential for reaping the maximum yield from your animals.

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Why is stable ventilation important?

A good internal climate and effective air circulation form the foundation for healthy animals. Poor stable ventilation can have far-reaching, negative consequences:

Poor stable ventilation can have far-reaching, negative consequences:

  • An environment that is too warm or too humid leads to decreased appetite in animals. When they eat less, their output and the yield drop.
  • A poor internal climate is a breeding ground for germs. A warm, moist environment is the perfect place for bacteria and viruses to infest and multiply rapidly. The animals then run a high risk of infection.
  • When heat increases the temperature indoors, this causes stress and restlessness in animals. This can lead to a variety of problems, including claw disorders.
  • For cows, heat stress can lead to health problems with udders, decreased fertility, and milk loss.
  • Proper stable ventilation enables greater control of the climate in the stable. See the example below;


In the summer, a cow sweats out about 30 litres of water per day and about 15 litres during the winter. When proper ventilation is not present, a cow stable quickly becomes humid, warm, and oppressive. Furthermore, ammonia gases remain in the air. This is an undesirable situation for both man and animal. In addition to all of that, a cow experiences heat stress when temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius. A simple formula indicates that the daily milk output of a cow increases by two litres, when the feed intake increases by one kilo. When both man and animal experience discomfort from heat, loss of appetite occurs and milk production decreases accordingly.

Therefore, it is important to properly manage the climate of the stable and adjust it when appropriate. Proper stable ventilation ensures that the cow suffers less from heat stress and will improve the output of the cow. Good ventilation also prevents the occurrence of mastitis, because bacteria in clean air that has had the humidity removed have a lower chance of survival and infecting the animals.

What types of stable ventilation are there?

Stable ventilation can be divided into two categories: natural ventilation (by wind) and mechanical ventilation (exhaust systems and fans).

Natural ventilation

Natural ventilation occurs through the use of wind and the natural exchange of interior and exterior climates. In this case, a stable requires ventilation openings in the roof and at the sides of the stable. Warm, polluted air will exit via the roof, while the sides of the stable will let in fresh, cool air. Depending on the season and the outdoor weather conditions, adjustments can be made to the arrangements of the side openings. Management of a side wall ventilation system can be manual, electric, or automatic.

Mechanical ventilation

The climate is changing and the weather is becoming less predictable. There are more peaks and valleys in daily temperatures and increased precipitation. This also affects the climate inside the stable. When the temperature increases sharply, a natural ventilation often becomes progressively less sufficient. Additional actions become necessary to keep the interior climate in check. The use of fans creates an extra stream of fresh air during the summer. In the winter, fans help to keep the stream of warm air moving.

What solutions does MS Schippers offer?

To create a proper climate in the stable, both natural and mechanical ventilation are important. With regard to mechanical ventilation, it is important to make a good choice based on the characteristics of the stable and the current climate. The assortment at MS Schippers includes high-quality fans of excellent technical construction with superior output. The fans are quiet, which is good for the well-being of the animals. Furthermore, they are controlled as automatically as possible, which makes for efficient use and low energy costs.

Horizontal ventilation

The horizontal stable fan is the most used fan for the stable, and guarantees superior airflow. Ceiling fans move the upper air toward the floor. This cools off the animals as well, but does not create a draught across the udders of the cows. The broad width of the fan can generate a large amount of air displacement without requiring multiple devices.

Vertical ventilation

Vertical ventilation is best suited for low stables and takes up less space than horizontal ventilation. They can be installed on the ceilings or the walls. The number of fans necessary is determined by the amount of surface area to be ventilated.

Advice on stable ventilation

Do you need advice about stable ventilation? Are you looking into buying a stable fan? Please contact one of our advisors at export@msschippers.com or call 0031-497-339774.

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