coldest winter flocks in North Alabama could result in fuel savings of some $700 to $800, and summer flocks about $70 to $200, assuming a propane price of $0.90 per gallon. Conservatively, an annual average would be about $2,000. During the time of this study, the price of propane was rose from the $0.90 range to the $1.20 range. At $1.20 per gallon, additional savings averaging about $120 per flock would be realized, increasing annual fuel savings to more than $2,650. These figures naturally would be higher in the colder areas of the Broiler Belt and lower in milder climates. Additionally, consistent live production performance improvements with the #5 oil furnace greater than $200 per flock would be expected for every flock, or a conservative annual increase of $1,100. Thus, annual profitability would be improved by at least $3,100 per house on a typical North Alabama broiler farm, given prices of $0.90 and $0.50 per gallon of propane and #5 oil, respectively.

Additional Observations
      Over four flocks, the oil-heated house consistently demonstrated much lower relative humidity (RH) than the propane-heated house, and litter and air quality in the oil-heated house were noticeably better. In minimum ventilation mode, electronic controller ventilation times required to maintain appropriate air quality, litter quality, and temperature level, were considerably less per 5 minute cycle in the oil-heated house than in the propane-heated house. This will significantly reduce fan run times and the electrical cost associated with running fans. Additionally, set points for the oil furnace have been set at 2-3 degrees above the set points for the brooders in the oil-heated house since the end of the second flock. This has resulted in brooders only needing to come on as an occasional supplement to the oil furnace. Initially, the oil furnace was intended to supplement propane fired heaters and brooders. Now, heaters and brooders are supplementing the oil furnace, if and when needed.

Old Class C House Test
      The test farm also had five older Class C houses, each 36' X 450' with post-in-ground foundation, curtain sidewalls, open ceilings, thermostat controls, and no insulation. These houses were built in the early 1970s and are in generally poor condition.

Initially, one house was fitted with a 350,000 BTUs/hour oil-fired heating system. After one flock, the fuel savings were so significant that the remaining four Class C houses were also fitted with oil-fired heat. Total fuel cost savings since then have averaged $520.60 per house per flock. That translates to about $2,600.00 in fuel savings per flock over the five houses, or a $14,300 total savings per year, assuming 5.5 flock cycles annually.

Cost of Oil Furnace System
      The total initial investment cost is assumed to be $10,000 per house. If we assume a salvage value of $2,000, an interest rate of 7 percent on a 5-year loan, and a useful life of 10 years, annual fixed costs are estimated to be $1,950 per house. If we further assume 5.5 flocks per year with a $200 per flock production improvement and a conservative estimate of annual fuel savings of $2,000, annual income would be increased by $3,100. The result is an additional $1,150 per house per year in net profit for the first five years, and a $3,100 annual net profit gain for later years. These figures would be slightly higher with more flocks of small birds per year and slightly lower with fewer flocks of larger birds. Additionally, areas with colder and/or longer winters would realize modest increases, and more temperate climates would expect slightly lower returns.

Conclusions
Initial tests of this new #5 oil furnace system have demonstrated an ability to consistently increase grower pro-Pfitability in both modern Class A and very old Class C poultry houses in a variety of weather conditions. The oil furnace was initially intended to supplement the brooders and heaters. However, in Class A solid walled, insulated houses, with oil furnace setpoints maintained 2-3 degrees above brooders and heaters, it is unlikely that the brooders and heaters will ever come on. Over time, we may see new Class A houses constructed which are equipped with only a few supplemental brooders, rather than the twenty to thirty currently specified. Additionally, this system may afford growers with older, conventional houses, the ability to extend the profitable life of their houses.