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In large-scale broiler projects, the economic decision is not limited to the cost of the structure on the day it is built. The scope of earthworks, infrastructure, energy consumption, maintenance, labor, and the farm’s ability to be upgraded over the years must also be taken into account.
One of the most efficient configurations in this context is a twin broiler house with a shared wall: two identical broiler houses designed as one integrated structure, while maintaining full operational independence for each house.
In the example of two houses, each 150 meters long and 16 meters wide, this configuration reduces the total wall area to be constructed by approximately 23%.

The external wall area alone is reduced by approximately 45%, but when the complete building envelope — walls and roof together — is calculated, the reduction is approximately 13%, because the roof area remains the same in both alternatives.
At Agrotop, we design the farm as one system: structure, earthworks, water, electricity, ventilation, control, equipment, and operation. This approach makes it possible to identify cumulative savings that are not always apparent when each discipline is designed separately.

What Is a Twin Broiler House?

A twin broiler house is a structure comprising two broiler houses connected by a shared longitudinal wall.
In this example:

• Dimensions of each house: 150 × 16 meters
• Wall height: approximately 3 meters
• Capacity per house: approximately 30,000 birds
• Total capacity: approximately 60,000 birds

Each house retains independent systems:

• Separate personnel entrance
• Independent feeding system
• Independent drinking system
• Independent ventilation system
• Independent control system
• Full operational isolation capability

The structure is shared, but each house continues to operate as an independent growing unit.

1. Approximately 23% Less Wall Area to Build

With two separate houses, the total wall length is:
664 meters
In the twin-house configuration:

• 364 meters of external walls
• 150 meters of internal shared wall
• Total: 514 meters of walls

This means that approximately 150 meters of walls are eliminated — a reduction of approximately 23% in the total wall length to be constructed.
At a wall height of 3 meters, this represents approximately 450 m² less wall area to build.
In addition, the external wall area is reduced from 1,992 m² to 1,092 m² — a reduction of approximately 45% in external walls alone.

However, the roof area remains approximately 4,800 m² in both alternatives. Therefore, when the total external building envelope — walls and roof together — is calculated, the reduction is approximately 13%.
The actual financial savings depend on the specification of the shared wall compared with the external walls, but may be reflected in fewer panels, insulation, cladding, sealing, reinforcements, and installation works.

2. Less Earthwork and Site Development

Two separate broiler houses generally require two building pads, a separation area between them, additional access roads, service areas, drainage channels, and longer infrastructure lines.
For example, a 15-meter separation along a 150-meter-long structure creates approximately 2,250 m² of additional area that must be developed, graded, and drained.

In a twin-house configuration, a significant portion of this area can be reduced, depending on site conditions and local requirements.
The savings may include:

• Excavation and filling
• Grading and compaction
• Removal of excess soil
• Base material in service areas
• Drainage channels
• Access roads
• Operational areas
• Underground infrastructure

On sloping sites or in projects where earthworks are complex and expensive, the advantage may be particularly significant.

3. Dedicated Ventilation Design for a Twin Broiler House

In a twin-house configuration, the dampers are installed on only one external wall, because there are no air inlet openings in the shared wall.

A dedicated damper must therefore be used, capable of generating an air jet that reaches the shared wall during minimum ventilation, while at the same time supplying sufficient airflow during transition ventilation.
Correct air inlet design is essential to prevent dead zones, maintain uniform air distribution, and ensure stable climate conditions across the full width of the house.

In addition, it is important to incorporate internal circulation fans, which help create a uniform heating regime, reduce temperature differences, and save energy.

In broiler houses equipped with variable-speed MAGFAN fans together with a dedicated damper, it may in some cases be possible to eliminate separate minimum-ventilation fans in the longitudinal wall.
Instead, the MAGFAN fans can be operated at low RPM during minimum ventilation.

This configuration may provide:

• Savings of up to approximately 70% in the electricity consumption of the minimum ventilation system
• Savings on the purchase of separate minimum-ventilation fans
• Savings on electrical connections, controls, and installation
• Less equipment to maintain
• A simpler and more flexible system to operate

The actual savings depend on system design, climate conditions, stocking density, and operating practices.

4. Savings in Water Infrastructure

In a twin broiler house, some of the main infrastructure can be centralized without compromising the independence of each house.

The following can be shared:

• Main water supply line
• Water storage tank
• Pump room
• Filtration system
• Water treatment system
• Medication dosing system
• Cooling-pad infrastructure
• Washing and cleaning lines

At the same time, each house can retain:

• Separate water meter
• Separate valves
• Independent pressure regulation
• Independent dosing
• Full isolation capability

The savings result not only from the number of pipes, but also from reducing the length of the routing, the number of connections, chambers, valves, pumps, and maintenance points.

5. More Efficient Litter Logistics

The amount of litter required inside the houses does not change because the total growing area remains the same.
However, concentrating the two houses within one structure makes it possible to streamline litter delivery, distribution, collection, and removal.
The same equipment and the same crew can work continuously between the two growing units, with fewer trips, less setup time, and less logistical duplication.

6. One Central Service Room Instead of Duplicate Systems

Instead of constructing an electrical room, control room, pump room, storage area, and technical area for each house, one central service room can be designed, from which separate systems serve each house.
The advantages include:

• Less construction work
• Less duplicate equipment
• Less built-up area
• Simpler maintenance
• Easier access for technicians
• Centralized control and backup systems

The same principle can also apply to the electrical systems: one transformer, one central generator, and one main electrical panel, while each house has its own subpanels, protection systems, and independent controls.

7. Lower Heating and Cooling Loads

The shared wall is not exposed to sunlight, wind, or outside temperatures in the same way as an external wall.
In winter, this means lower heat losses and less heating demand.

In summer, this means less absorption of solar radiation and a lower thermal load through the external walls.
The actual savings depend on the climate, insulation level, and operating practices, but reducing the external wall area can contribute to more stable temperatures and lower energy consumption throughout the life of the structure.

8. More Efficient Use of Land and Labor

Where site conditions and local authorities allow, a twin broiler house may make it possible to achieve the same capacity on a smaller area, or greater capacity on the same plot.

When the two houses are adjacent, service distances are reduced. This allows the following tasks to be carried out more efficiently:

• Daily inspections
• Troubleshooting
• Washing and disinfection
• System maintenance
• Water and ventilation checks
• Monitoring of control systems

The result is more efficient use of labor and shorter response times.

9. Return on Investment Throughout the Life of the Structure

The economic advantage of a twin broiler house does not end on the day the project is handed over.
It accumulates over the years of operation through:

• Fewer external walls to maintain and seal
• Less duplicate infrastructure
• Shorter water and electrical lines
• Fewer service rooms
• Less duplicate central equipment
• Simpler maintenance
• More efficient use of labor
• Reduced heating and cooling loads
• A more convenient platform for automation and centralized control

Therefore, the economic decision should be based on the farm’s life-cycle cost — construction, energy, maintenance, labor, and future upgrades — and not only on the price of the structure on the day of handover.

10. A Platform for Advanced Technologies

A twin broiler house provides a good platform for integrating advanced technologies:

• Centralized cloud-based control
• AI-based climate management
• Continuous monitoring of ammonia, CO₂, and humidity
• Water and energy consumption monitoring
• Predictive maintenance
• Robotics for washing, disinfection, and monitoring
• Solar systems and energy storage
• Performance analysis and comparison between the houses

Concentrating the two growing units side by side simplifies the installation of sensors, communications, and control systems, and makes it possible to identify faults and deviations earlier.

What Must Be Maintained?

Savings cannot come at the expense of biosecurity, fire safety, or operational independence.
The shared wall must be completely sealed and prevent the passage of:

• Air
• Dust
• Rodents
• Insects
• Contaminants

It is also essential to maintain:

• Separate ventilation systems
• Separate controls and sensors
• Separate emergency systems
• Appropriate fire rating
• Firestopping at infrastructure penetrations
• Separation between electrical systems
• Compliance with the requirements of authorities and insurance companies

The Agrotop Advantage

At Agrotop, we integrate:

• Structural and construction design
• Earthworks and site development
• Water and electrical infrastructure
• Ventilation and cooling systems
• Feeding and drinking systems
• Control and automation
• Project execution management
• Installation and commissioning
• Operational support

Integrating all disciplines from the design stage makes it possible to identify savings and opportunities for improvement that are not always apparent when each system is designed separately.
The ability to combine structural design with dedicated ventilation solutions, variable-speed MAGFAN fans, customized dampers, water systems, controls, and infrastructure is what makes it possible to turn the twin-house configuration into a complete economic and operational solution.

The Bottom Line

A twin broiler house with a shared wall can reduce the total wall area to be constructed by approximately 23%. In the example presented, the external wall area is reduced by approximately 45%, while the total external building envelope — walls and roof together — is reduced by approximately 13%.

Beyond the savings in walls, the configuration can improve the efficiency of earthworks, water and electrical infrastructure, ventilation systems, drainage, litter logistics, maintenance, and labor utilization.

When the potential energy savings, reduction in duplicate equipment, and future upgrades are also taken into account, the economic advantage continues to accumulate throughout the entire life of the farm.
Planning a new broiler project? Talk to the Agrotop team from the design stage.

AGROTOP — Building Farms That Work Better

By Stanley Kaye M.B.A Business Development