Pullet rearing: aviaries for vital pullets

Experts recommend: if you want to produce barn, free range or organic eggs in a laying aviary, rear your pullets in a similar system! Our engineers have devised special aviaries for pullet rearing. The birds are trained for their future life in a laying aviary from day 1.

Only when pullets learn how to move around in the system from the very beginning will they have an ideal start into the laying period.

                 

NATURA Primus & NATURA Filia

The animal-friendly rearing aviaries for healthy and uniform pullets

Big Dutchman can offer two different types of aviaries for successful pullet rearing. Both systems have proved their technical maturity in the market and are thus a prerequisite for good rearing results, i.e. uniform and healthy pullets.

Pullets that are intended for laying aviaries should always be reared in aviary systems as well. Intensive training from the first day of life is the most important factor in pullet rearing. Only when pullets learn how to move around in an aviary from the very beginning will they have a good start into the laying period.

UNIVENT Starter

The professional manure belt system for successful pulltet rearing
. This well-proven system not only provides excellent rearing results, but is also of a high quality. To meet the varied requirements of all our customers in an ideal way, we offer UNIVENT Starter with and without manure belt ventilation. UNIVENT Starter consists of two different tiers to satisfy the differing needs of both day-old chicks and pullets:

the start tier and
the grow tier.
The quality and uniformity of pullets are crucial factors with a decisive influence on laying performance later on. Essential prerequisites for successful pullet rearing therefore include:

uniform and rapid feed distribution;
a hygienic supply of sufficient drinking water;
wire partitions for improved bird inspection;
the reduction of ammonia emissions.

Main advantages

  • well thought-out system;
  • modular design allows flexible arrangement of start and grow tiers;
  • very easy to use;
  • remarkably low mortality during rearing (often below two percent);
  • feed trough with inward rim minimises feed wastage;
  • feed troughs are mounted on supports for increased stability;
  • simple assembly of three to eight tiers;
  • high functional reliability;
  • high corrosion resistance.

AMBA

Automatic Manure Belt Adjustment – straight running of the belts during manure removal
Using manure belts in poultry houses reduces ammonia emissions and thus contributes to an improved climate in the house and to the birds’ health. Intervals between manure removals should therefore be as short as possible. In the past, however, manure belts had to be constantly monitored during operation, sometimes requiring adjustment by experienced staff. Manure was therefore not removed as often as would be ideal.

With AMBA (Automatic Manure Belt Adjustment), ecotec can now offer a solution that saves time and ensures smooth running of the belts. Light sensors positioned to the right and to the left of the manure belt in the drive monitor how the belts run. If a belt does not run straight, the sensors transmit a signal to the AMBA motor. The motor automatically adjusts the belt to stop it from deviating.

 

Main advantages

  • self-regulating, straight running of the belts during manure removal ensures high process reliability;
  • manual adjustment of the belts is no longer required, saving much time;
  • the bus-compatible motor can communicate with the farm computer, e.g. amacs;
  • automatic detection of the load on the manure belt indicates when manure must be removed;
  • longer service life of the entire manure belt drive;
  • can be retrofitted for all BD manure belt drives around the world thanks to a multi-range power unit (90–277 VAC).

Automatic chain feeding

for modern poultry production

Daily hand-feeding of the flock was very time-consuming, triggering the idea of an automatic feeder system: A new era dawned for the poultry industry. Thanks to its robust and simple principle, the chain feeding system has proved itself a million times over. The basic concept – feed hopper, drive unit, corner, trough and the CHAMPION feed chain – has remained unchanged.

The entire system, however, is continuously being improved and adapted to today’s requirements for modern poultry production. The Big Dutchman feed chain CHAMPION can be used for any type of production, including layer breeders kept in cages, pullets from their first day of life and laying hens. The chain also feeds broiler breeders reared on the floor and is furthermore a great option in alternative egg production.

 

Main advantages

  • different conveying speeds of 12, 18 or 36 m/min, depending on the requirements;
  • high conveying capacity of up to 1.5 t/h reduces the number of feedings;
  • any type of feed can be used, e.g mash, pellets and crumbles;
  • the feed is distributed uniformly and reliably, i.e. all birds receive the same amount and quality of feed, with minimum feed losses;
  • controlled or ad libitum feeding are both possible, depending on the demand;
  • the feed level in the trough can be adjusted with the feed level slide;
  • the shape of the trough guarantees sufficient space for all birds: birds can feed from both sides without stress;
  • the system can be suspended or installed on legs for floor management;
  • cost-efficient feeding system;
  • simple, thorough cleaning;
  • low labour and maintenance requirements;
  • robust system, long service life.

BBird Weighing

Precision weighing systems for all types of poultry – mobile or fixed installation

Monitoring bird weights is an important tool in modern poultry management. Especially in poultry growing, the exact determination of bird weights is a decisive factor for economic success.

However, any farmer keeping broiler breeders, pullets or layers must also check the weight development of his birds closely. Too high or too low weights always have a negative effect on the production results and also mean that the farmer is not taking full advantage of the birds‘ genetic potential, which in turn influences the farm’s profits negatively.

Swing 20

Versatile poultry scale

Swing 20 consists of a load cell and a platform made of plastic material (or, as an option, stainless steel).

Main advantages

Using the telescopic suspension, the platform can easily be adjusted in height and thus be adapted to the birds’ age. The birds accept the scale well, resulting in plenty of weighings and therefore also in precise weight data.

Swing 20 is suspended from the barn’s ceiling. During the service period, the scale can easily be removed for cleaning while the weighing electronics remain installed close to the ceiling where they are protected against dirt.

 

 

Swing 70

Poultry scale for turkeys

Swing 70 consists of a 1 x 1 m large plastic plate that is fixed to two stainless steel brackets. Swing 70 is attached directly to the load cell by means of four suspension ropes and snap hooks.

Main advantages

The suspension point is quite high, keeping swinging motions to a minimum to ensure that the birds accept the scale. This guarantees a high number of weighings and therefore precise weight determination.

The scale comes with a winch so that its height can easily be adjusted to meet the birds’ age. For cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner, the scale can be released from the snap hooks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poultry cages for your every need

We have been designing and distributing poultry cages for efficient egg production for half a century. Whether the producer operates in tropical climates and uses natural ventilation, the birds are housed in closed barns on Siberian farms at temperatures much below freezing point or the birds receive feed and water manually or fully automatically and computer-aided:

 

Feed cart FC-V

The trendsetting feed cart with V-trough for even and reliable feed supply
ecotec’s new feeding system FC-V is ideally suited for all cage systems consisting of up to six tiers without catwalk, and of up to ten tiers with catwalk. The system comprises a pulled feed cart in combination with a V-shaped trough. The laying hens receive feed reliably, evenly and based on their needs. Feed wastage is not an issue with this feeding system!

It is also a very cost-efficient and energy saving system because it only requires one motor for up to six tiers.

Main advantages

only one 0.18 kW gear motor is required for up to six tiers without catwalk;
easy handling;
very quiet and smooth running of the feed cart;
V-trough ensures accurate feed dispensing, especially for small quantities;
automatic alignment with the trough for perfect dosing results;
sliding surfaces in the trough are made of plastic for a high functional reliability;
feed is dispensed in both running directions of the cart;
low maintenance requirements;
modular design for fast installation.

 

UniVent

Manure belt battery for laying hens
The UniVent layer cage system from ecotec meets our customers’ highest requirements regarding bird health, laying performance and environmental factors in the most ideal way. This technically proven system is characterised by a long service life, high functional reliability and outstanding conditions for humans and birds.

Main advantages

Zinc-aluminium coating of all wire parts (cage fronts, bottom wires and lateral partitions) → 3 to 4 times better protection against corrosion compared to galvanized wire
Drinking nipple with V-channel → each hen can easily reach two nipples
Entire cage front consists of sliding grids that can be opened completely → moving birds in and out becomes simple
Air duct for fresh air supply to the birds and for the production of dry manure (optional) → significantly reduced ammonia emissions
Flat-shaped egg protector as footrail encourages egglaying at the trough → short rolling-off distances, hardly any cracked eggs and hens are prevented from eating eggs
Deep feed trough with inner rim → minimum feed losses
Trough-shaped manure belt → manure cannot drop into the system, very clean transport during manure removal
Trampoline effect of the bottom wires due to the flexible suspension → very high egg quality

UNIVENT Starter

The professional manure belt system for successful pulltet rearing

The UNIVENT Starter rearing system from ecotec is a true bestseller. This well-proven system not only provides excellent rearing results, but is also of a high quality. To meet the varied requirements of all our customers in an ideal way, we offer UNIVENT Starter with and without manure belt ventilation. UNIVENT Starter consists of two different tiers to satisfy the differing needs of both day-old chicks and pullets:

  • the start tier and
  • the grow tier.

The quality and uniformity of pullets are crucial factors with a decisive influence on laying performance later on. Essential prerequisites for successful pullet rearing therefore include:

  • uniform and rapid feed distribution;
  • a hygienic supply of sufficient drinking water;
  • wire partitions for improved bird inspection;
  • the reduction of ammonia emissions.

Main advantages

  • well thought-out system;
  • modular design allows flexible arrangement of start and grow tiers;
  • very easy to use;
  • remarkably low mortality during rearing (often below two percent);
  • feed trough with inward rim minimises feed wastage;
  • feed troughs are mounted on supports for increased stability;
  • simple assembly of three to eight tiers;
  • high functional reliability;
  • high corrosion resistance.

 

 

 

Feed cart FC-V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poultry house lighting for smart spenders

Great light efficiency, low power consumption and a long service life: there are many good reasons why more and more poultry managers like to use energy- and cost-efficient LED lamps.

Selecting ecotec as supplier is the perfect choice. We have invested much of our time and resources on developing clever and robust solutions. Our product range for poultry house lighting proves our success.

FlexLED

flexible tube lamp

FlexLED is an innovative LED tube lamp which can be used very flexibly. Be it aviaries or enriched colony systems, there are nearly no boundaries for FlexLED. The lamp is wired without plugs, i.e. only one continuous main cable is required. The LED tube can thus be installed easily even where there is little space.

Retrofitting additional LED tubes at a later point is also very simple. FlexLED is characterised by the following features:

  • low power consumption;
  • resistant against high-pressure cleaning;
  • 0 to 100% dimmable;
  • even distribution of light thanks to the special profile of the housing;
  • zero flickering even at low light intensities;
  • available in many different lengths.

Main advantages

  • 48 V DC safety extra-low voltage;
  • certified by the German Agricultural Society (DLG, test report 6816);
  • plug & play installation for quick, easy and flexible mounting;
  • use of brand LEDs (Osram);
  • continuous main cable prevents contact resistance caused by plug-in connections;
  • good price / performance ratio.

FlexLED HO

efficient and economic illumination of ceilings and aisles

FlexLED HO (high output) is another innovative and very flexible LED tube lamp. FlexLED HO is equipped with four times as many LEDs as FlexLED, with the corresponding increased light output. FlexLEDHO is also wired without plugs.

At the continuous main cable, FlexLED HO lamps can be connected wherever necessary. Furthermore, it is easily possible to retrofit the lamp at a later point. FlexLED HO has the following features:

half as many lamps required compared to FlexLED;
low power consumption;
long service life;
0 to 100% dimmable;
even distribution of light thanks to the special profile of the housing;
zero flickering even at low light intensities;
available in different lengths;
very low installation costs.

Main advantages

48 V DC safety extra-low voltage;
optimised light distribution, especially with low ceilings;
plug & play installation for quick, easy and flexible mounting;
use of brand LEDs (Osram);
continuous main cable;
costs savings of up to 40% compared to FlexLED, depending on the area of use

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SunFarm

The modern photovoltaic system for environmentally-friendly power generation and permanently lower energy costs

Agricultural buildings are especially well-suited for the installation of modern photovoltaic (PV) systems. With our scalable modular system, you can reduce your electricity costs permanently nearly anywhere in the world using the free power of the sun.

And best of all: Where the energy requirements for a good house climate are the highest due to high solar irradiation, the system amortizes the quickest. This is because depending on the location and general conditions, SUNFarm can cover up to 70 percent of your energy demand.

Main advantages

  • significant and permanent reduction of energy costs;
  • long-term security in case of increasing electricity prices;
  • up to 70 % of the total energy demand covered by the annual solar yield;
  • long service life, low maintenance costs;
  • no management costs;
  • personal monitoring of the energy production, also remotely;
  • short amortization periods possible;
  • scalable thanks to the modular design;
  • sustainable reduction of CO2 emissions by up to 70 %;
  • systems ideally suited for agriculture with maximum functional reliability.
 

 

 

Layer breeders: healthy parents, healthy chicks

Housing equipment and feeding systems play an important role in layer breeder management. Only healthy birds guarantee high reproduction rates. Breeders are especially sensitive to changes in the house environment.

With the correct equipment, temperatures and air speeds can be regulated as required by the birds, and ammonia and CO2 emissions are easy to monitor.

EUROVENT-Parents

The modern manure belt system for layer breeders
EUROVENT-Parents is a manure belt system for layer breeders designed by ecotec for the production of hatching eggs. Compartments are 1250 mm wide and have a standard length of 2412 mm. They can, however, be extended in steps of 60 cm so that the flock size can be determined individually.

A reinforced perch is positioned in the centre of the compartments. The male breeders especially like to use this perch. Closed partitions promote calmness and quiet within the flock by ensuring that males in different groups remain separated. All wire meshes used for bottom wires and cage fronts are zinc-aluminium coated. This special alloy resists corrosion and trust more effectively than other materials, thus guaranteeing a longer service life. EUROVENT-Parents is available with or without air duct.

The system allows for a high stocking density, has minimum labour requirements and ensures clean hatching eggs.

Main advantages

optimum number of birds
healthy and vigorous males and females
clean hatching eggs
low salmonella risk
uniform high laying performance
good feed conversion
low mortality rate
high efficiency thanks to a high degree of automation (feed and water supply, egg collection, manure removal)
low labour and control requirements
very low ammonia emissions
hardly any flies in the system
in case of manure belt ventilation: dry manure, with a dry matter content of up to 60 percent, which can be conveniently stored and spread

 

 

 

 

 

 

Egg Collection Systems

Flexible, efficient and gentle on the eggs

Egg collection systems play an important role in successful layer and breeder management, both with floor and cage production. This is mainly due to the following reasons:

reduced time and labour costs;

optimum egg quality, i.e. cleaner eggs, few cracked eggs;
accurate count of the total number of eggs produced per tier, row or house.
Big Dutchman egg collection systems meet even the highest requirements:

gentle transport of the eggs;

high functional reliability;
easy handling.

 

ST elevator

Ideal for short systems, reliable egg transport

The ST (standard) elevator transfers eggs onto the elevator chain in a set pattern. This is to ensure that no eggs are trans­ferred onto already occupied steps. If a barn houses birds of different age groups, ST elevators can also be used to collect eggs per row or per flock. In order to match the conveying capacity and the laying performance, we recommend separately actuating egg belts and elevator chains.

With the ST elevator, dosing wheels transport the eggs onto the elevator chain, from where they are moved down­wards to the lower sliding grille. The chain turns here and then transports the eggs upwards to the desired height, where they are transferred onto the cross belt. The transfer can be carried out at any height; the standard height, however, is 2.10 m (Q 210) to guarantee a clearance height of 1.95 m. If a manual collection table is installed, the transfer height lies at 80 cm (Q 80).

Main advantages

  • large collection capacity of up to 16,500 eggs per hour and per elevator*;
  • easy access to all cage rows; the cross collection is not an obstruction;
  • less space required in the end set area;
  • suitable for all cage types.

* depending on the system type, the egg belt width and the speed of the longitudinal belt

EggCellent

Large collection capacity, only minimum maintenance requirements

The EggCellent elevator designed by Big Dutchman is characterised by its large collection capacity and requires only minimum system adjustments. Of course it also provides everything necessary for a safe egg transport. From the longitudinal belt, the eggs are conveyed onto a rod conveyor, from where they are then transferred onto the elevator chain. This process does not require any additional dosing units: a deflector helps to distribute the eggs over the entire width of the elevator chain.

In order to match the conveying capacity and the laying performance, we recommend separately actuating egg belts and elevator chains.

Main advantages

  • large collection capacity of up to 9,000 eggs per hour and per elevator*;
  • simultaneous collection from up to eight tiers;
  • no dosing units necessary, i.e. maintenance requirements are at a minimum;
  • rod conveyors have a cleaning function so that eggs without shell and dirt do not reach the elevator chain;
  • easy access to all cage rows, no obstruction because of the cross collection;
  • suitable for all cage types;
  • simple assembly and adjustment.

* depending on the system type, the egg belt width and the speed of the longitudinal belt

Lift system

Only one egg transfer, little space required in the end set area

The lift system collects the eggs per tier and simultaneously from all rows. The main feature of the lift system is that the cross conveyor moves to the individual tiers to collect the eggs. Once it has collected the eggs from all tiers, the lift moves into its parking position. The lift system is a good and economic solution especially for small units or individual houses, and when the eggs are not collected per flock. The eggs are trans­ported very gently as only one trans­fer is involved between the longitudi­nal belt and the cross belt.

To allow the operator to match the conveying capacity with the performance of the egg grader, a frequency regulator should be installed. This ensures that the longitudinal belt speed of 4 m/min can be controlled between 25 and 60 Hz.

Main advantages

  • smooth egg transport as there is only one transfer from the longitudinal belt to the cross belt;
  • easy access to all rows because the lift system moves into a parking position after egg collection is completed, i.e. the cross collection is no obstruction;
  • little space required in the end set area;
  • the lift system can be combined with any cross collection of any width.

 

 

Curve conveyors

Custom-made egg cross transport

Different farm layouts as well as differ­en­ces in height often require individual solutions for egg transport. Curve conveyors are commonly used as cross collection because, thanks to their flexibility, they can be adapted to any type of layout.

Main advantages

The core part of each curve conveyor is a galvanized or plastic-coated chain that consists of two hardened outer chains with weld-on cross bars. The cross bars of the standard conveyor chain are all on the same level so that the eggs are transferred to the chain smoothly and do not accumulate along the inner radius of the curve.

The distance between the cross bars allows for an ascending gradient of up to 20°. Standard bends of 180°, 90° and 45° are available to create curves. The conveying capacity is determined by the conveying speed and the effective width of the curve conveyor. When using elevator and lift systems, deflectors reduce this effective width by 100-120 mm in the transfer area.

 

EggTrax

Egg belt drive – gentle egg transfer from the longitudinal belt to the connected conveyor

The EggTrax egg belt drive transfers the eggs gently from the longitudinal egg belt (nest) to any connected egg collection system. The reinforced drive unit operates at a speed of 2.6 m/min and is available for different egg belt widths: 245, 350, 400 and 500 mm.

Main advantages

  • the unit can be removed single-handedly, thus facilitating cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner;
  • anti-crack fingers provide a light pressure on the eggs, which ensures a controlled transfer to the cross belt;
  • tension-adjustable wire threads guarantee a smooth transfer of the eggs while simultaneously allowing feathers, dust and eggs without shell to fall down between the threads.

Vertical conveyors

Vertical conveyors Space-saving, for off-set nest arrangement

Vertical conveyors are the standard solution whenever there is little space between the nests and the cross collection. They operate at a gradient of 50° and are available in two widths: 350 and 500 mm.

Main advantages

Vertical conveyors are powered by a separate drive unit for a more flexible collection speed. We recommend frequency-regulating the longitudinal egg belt (optional).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a piece of equipment you are looking for is not mentioned in this section, contact us for more

EGYPT Head Office:
1 Makram Ebeid, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

Tel: +20 2 2349 7373
Tel: +20 2 2349 7374
cell: +20 1033361912
cell: +20 1033361913
cell: +20 1033361914

E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]