Space-Ray’s SRB40CR is a working wonder in this fast-paced, ever-expanding poultry market. As poultry demand has gradually increased from as early as the “20th century” and has steadily increased with large increments of time (Choudhury, 2023), Space-Ray has been one if not many successful poultry heating companies at the forefront of innovation and ingenuity when it comes to agricultural automation. For 50 years, Space-Ray has sustained a strong reputation for creating only the best poultry innovations to reduce this pressure while also maintaining an eco-friendly practice of raising quality poultry (Space-Ray, 2013). The SRB40CR is an innovation that is best known for being reliable and fuel efficient. As fuel expenses have skyrocketed throughout this year, a 40,000 BTU fuel-efficient radiant heater is extremely important and saves up to “5.8 gallons of propane per day”. Likewise, it is reported that “a broiler house with 14 brooders can use over 5.8 gallons of fuel each 24 hour period for just the pilot” (Space-Ray, 2013).
On the contrary, when the power of radiant heat is utilized, the litter is kept dry, and heat is directed straight to the birds thus saving fuel. Agricultural Extension Engineer, Michael Czarich and Brian Fairchild, an Extension Poultry Scientist from the University of Georgia identify radiant energy as “‘infrared radiation’, transferred through the air via electromagnetic waves and must come into contact with an object to produce a heating effect. When it strikes an object, the radiant energy is absorbed into heat” (Czarich & Lacy, 1995). Therefore, “when heaters are on, the chicks directly absorb the energy emitted. Second, the litter absorbs energy from the heaters, which causes its temperature to rise” which in turn “creates a microclimate near the litter that is suitable for chicks” (Czarich & Lacy, 1995). Radiant heating is “energy efficient because infrared waves can be directed towards the bird’s bodies instead of heating the sheds’ air within poultry houses. A typical burning gas can produce hot objects including angled reflectors, tubes and disks that are suspended over poultry house floors” according to Yuanlong Cui and fellow scientists from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Nottingham, UK (Cui et al., 2020).
Harnessing this energy, the SRB40 CR’s design incorporates a 60-degree emitter angle which coalesces with Space-Ray’s “deep dish aluminum canopy”, and therefore “creates an ideal heat pattern in the primary brood area” (Space-Ray, 2013). To this end, fewer brooders are needed in each house resulting in fuel savings. Compared to forced air heaters which heat the air first before heating the birds and litter at floor level, radiant heat targets the litter and birds before heating the air. This is vital in keeping the litter dry, reducing ammonia levels, and creating a “thermal reservoir which stores the heat and maintains a warmer litter area” (Space-Ray, 2013). All things considered, radiant heat is a common method tried and true to reducing drastic fuel expenses and promoting fuel savings annually.
The SRB40CR DSI includes a stainless steel emitter assembly that is “fully insulated and enclosed so the insulation will not crumble or distort in the tough operating conditions normally found in poultry houses” (Space-Ray, 2013). This design, which is exclusive to this model from Space-Ray, is not only enforcing durability but also is known for averting “heat loss back through the emitter that can occur over time. This leads to higher radiant output and continued energy efficiency that leads to annual fuel savings” (Space-Ray, 2013).
It includes:
⦁ an Ignition Control box: a wash-down resistant plastic enclosure with a 3-try direct spark ignition control (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ a Low Profile Mounting Bracket allows for easy leveling of the brooder (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ an Aluminum Canopy, large and deep to efficiently reflect heat to the litter area where needed (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ a Stainless Steel Burner Assembly that is corrosion-resistant with a seamless disassembly for easy cleaning and maintenance (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ A safety pan to help guard the litter area directly underneath the brooder (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ DSI Ignition System which sparks to directly light the burner without a standing pilot to clog up, blow out, and consequently result in wasted fuel (Space-Ray 2013).
⦁ A stainless steel main burner gas line that is best known for being sturdy and durable (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ Dual Fuel Gas Valve: seamlessly switches between gas types by rotating the regulator and changing the orifice (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ Its Patented WindBuster Pilot improves flame stability with the addition of generating dependable ignition for virtual trouble-free operation, even with wind speeds up to 7 mph (11.2 km)” (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ Maintenance Friendly: permits rapid, trouble-free access to the main burner orifice by simply sliding back a quick-release bracket (Space-Ray, 2013). “This assures quick and seamless maintenance as necessary, lowering operating cost and assuring longer life” (The Poultry Site, 2013).
⦁ Pilot Models: seamlessly detachable shields for rapid access to the pilot orifice (Space-Ray, 2013).
⦁ The DSI model can be used in both single and multi-zone installations. The multi-zone operations can be controlled by thermostats, a computer or an environmental controller (Space-Ray, 2013).
All product information listed above was gathered from Space Ray’s literature, SRB40CR Brochure titled “High Efficiency Radiant Gas Brooders: SRB40CR”.
Damien Oakley, Managing Director of Space-Ray UK confirms that “a recent fuel study using the new Space-Ray Direct Spark Ignition heaters found that the cost per brooder per day was 84 pounds (US $1.31) or £168.78 (US $263.30) per year less than that of a conventional pilot brooder. This puts the payback with a Direct Spark Ignition brooder at months compared to the pilot version” (The Poultry Site, 2012).
For more information on the Space-Ray SRB40CR, head over to this link: https://spaceray.com/srb40cr-series/. Here you can locate the very same SRB40CR Brochure that was used to inform this post and thus guide your investment decision. Should you decide, Alpha Poultry & Livestock Equipment Inc. has the Space-Ray SRB40CR in stock and ready for shipment. Feel free to visit our listing on eBay to make your purchase! Follow this link here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/315031506743
What Makes the SRB40CR Special
Czarich & Fairchild elaborates on the uniqueness of radiant brooders by stating that “Radiant brooders (40,000 BTUs/hr.) produce a significantly greater amount of radiant heat than pancake brooders and as a result are typically installed five feet or more above the floor to help distribute the increased amount of radiant heat over a larger area” (Czarich & Fairchild, 2011). Contributing to this data, Nandini Choudhury from Future Market Insights, notes that “a brooder’s air circulation prevents chilly floor droughts inside the brooder and guarantees even heating of all its covered space” (Choudhury, 2023). In agreement with Czarich and Fairchild, Paul Home from Gas-Fired Products, Inc. confirms that “40,000 BTU brooders with a round canopy project an even, circular heat pattern on the surface below” (Home, 2017). Czarich and Extension Poultry Scientist, Michael P. Lacy from the University of Georgia confirms this observation by verifying that radiant brooders have “larger radiant elements and [are] often shaped to form large cones or cylinders with two to four times the surface area of conventional brooder burners. With this increased surface area, radiant brooders tend to produce significantly more radiant heat than conventional brooders, and therefore heat more floor area than conventional brooders” (Czarich & Lacy, 1995).
In addition, Home clarifies that “brooders can be winched to different heights during the flock to change the heat pattern” (Home, 2017). Dr. John E. Linhoss from the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Extension (University of Mississippi) and his research group confirmed that they are considered the most “common” brooders and “are most often installed over feed and water lines to create a comfortable thermal environment that encourages chicks to eat and drink” (Linhoss et al., 2017). “Circular radiant heaters generally have output ratings of 11.7 kW and circular aluminum canopies or emitters that reflect heat to the chicks” (Linhoss, 2016). In addition, Linhoss reported that “the canopy, emitter, and burner are the most critical parts of a circular radiant brooder. Circular aluminum or stainless steel canopies reflect heat to the chicks and range in diameter from 31-37 inches. Canopy temperatures range from approximately 200-400°F” (Linhoss et al., 2017).
”The emitter extending below the canopy reduces center hot spots and increases the overall diameter of the heat pattern” (Home, 2017). “Sizes and shapes of emitters vary between manufacturers, but they all create a circular heating pattern with the highest litter temperatures produced closest to the brooder” (Linhoss et al., 2017). The burner is the catalyst to which the heating is generated and can be turned on or off with thermostats that are used to “obtain proper control over house temperature and fuel usage” (Czarich & Lacy, 1995). Additionally, Home notes that “brooders normally have the lowest initial cost and offer a broad range of equipment options, including direct spark or pilot ignition systems which can be controlled individually or in zones” (Home, 2017).
At the same time, Linhoss highlights the “pilot or direct-spark ignition” as the most important ignition types (Linhoss et al., 2017). Since the Space-Ray SRB40-CR is a DSI model, we shall hone in on Linhoss’s elaboration of direct-spark ignition. “Direct-spark uses a high-voltage electrical arc or sparks between two electrodes to light gas flowing to the burner. Since fuel is not used to keep a pilot light continually lit, spark ignition brooders can save an estimated 1,500-2000 BTU per hour at times when the house does not need supplemental heat. All ignites are equipped with a gas safety shut-off valve to stop the flow of gas if the burner fails to light” (Linhoss et al., 2017).
Additionally, the article highlights the importance of zone control in radiant brooders through the use of “a thermistor, an inexpensive sensor that is used to measure air temperatures. In general, one thermistor is used to control a ‘zone’ that consists of three to four brooders. Air temperatures can vary throughout the brood chamber, and zone control ensures that the heat is provided only where it is needed” (Linhoss et al., 2017). Fairchild agrees with Linhoss by identifying that each poultry house has “environmental controllers that monitor house temperature and turn brooders and furnaces on and off as needed. The controllers also monitor the amount of time a heat source operates. This information can be used to locate areas of the chick environment that might experience excessive air leaks or drafts” (Fairchild, 2012).
The Bottom Line
Radiant heaters are advantageous primarily for their “simple installation, less maintenance, and low capital costs” to “decrease operating costs and improve farmers’ profits” (Cui et.al, 2020). Furthermore, Choudhury’s poultry market report for 2023 reveals that many farmers and poultry men who raise chicks are beginning to choose electric poultry brooders. She indicates that the “equipment needed is far more pragmatic and reduces the amount of money and manpower, making it user-friendly” (Choudhury, 2023). Factors such as “food safety, quality, and hygiene in poultry farms and the growing use of technologically advanced poultry farming equipment” are also contributing “to the growth of the global market’s revenue for the poultry farming equipment industry” (Choudhury, 2022).
Hence, this is why procuring this machinery is so important in this day and age. It will not only be beneficial to the safe, sustainable practice of your poultry house, but it will allow you to stay on top of the exceedingly tight pressure to produce quality poultry promptly without hurting productivity and production quotas. Harnessing the power of radiant heating, the Space-Ray SRB40CR is designed to solve the many problems that many poultry houses face: expensive fuel and energy costs, heat stress in older chickens, and cold stress in younger chickens all the while producing a minimal carbon footprint. Creating a perfect thermo-environment for brooding chickens couldn’t be any easier with the Space-Ray SRB40CR. Its simple, maintenance-free design will not only save time but a vast amount of money.
Alpha Poultry and Livestock Equipment has the necessities, equipment and components you need to withstand the ever-increasing demand on your poultry house by providing only the best or your money back!! They also have Chore-Time Ultra Ray and Ultra Vection Brooder components with 34″ or 46-inch Aluminum Canopies (Heavy Duty or Galvanized, sold separately) to supply your poultry house! Please feel free to visit HPKA Inc.’s eBay or Amazon page to browse our vast assortment of tools, equipment, components, fans, and heating systems! And let the chicken run begin!
By: Elijah Zapien
