Latest product releases for poultry producers
The Poultry World inbox is a regular landing pad for new product press releases. Here Philip Clarke presents some of the latest arrivals.
Compact vehicle disinfection system
With disease an ever-present threat to UK poultry farms, a system that automatically disinfects every vehicle arriving on farm has obvious appeal.
The Rhino Agriwash Defender is such a system comprising a robust wash platform with low-profile ramps, spray bars, side screens, an entry sensor and a high performance chemical dosing unit with pump.“It is a surface mounted system, but can be inset for a more permanent installation,” says the company. It requires only a single phase, 240v power supply and a mains water connection.
Nozzles on four vertical spray bars are positioned at the corners of the unit, while horizontal spray bars located in the platform base ensure good coverage of the vehicles’ tyres, wheels and under carriage.
The pump delivers 3 bar pressure at the nozzle to ensure consistent coverage, it adds, while overspray is minimised by heavy duty PVC side screens.
The waste water collects in the shallow wash platform, which is fitted with an overflow port and can be emptied by connecting a hose and transferring the wash water to an external container or de-watering pad.
Adjustable dosing comes as standard (from 0.2% to 5%) and is easily adapted to suit any commonly-used chemical disinfectant, acid or alkaline.
Feeder pan for heavier birds
Belgium-based poultry equipment manufacturer Roxell is bringing a new feeder pan to market, designed with the heavier bird in mind.
“In order to meet the specific requirements of these poultry farmers (producing 3kg-plus broilers), we developed a pan that perfectly meets the need for greater feed intake at the end of the flock,” said Ben Dehaeck, broiler specialist at Roxell.
“A number of modifications to the existing HaiKoo pan enables the new pan to hold twice the amount of feed compared with the standard pan. Better access to the feed results in better growth results.”
The oval shape allows the broilers to optimally use the available house space while facilitating access to the drinking lines, added a company statement.
Electric wheelbarrow takes the strain
Farmers and dodgy backs are a familiar combination, so the new MUV Electric Wheelbarrow from Nu-Star Material Handling may be just the ticket.
In PR speak “it eliminates the unnecessary ergonomic challenges and production halts associated with traditional wheelbarrow solutions”.
It eliminates the pushing and pulling required when using a conventional manual wheelbarrow and, since it has a push-button operated electric dump, capable of tipping loads up to 350kg, it also removes the lifting effort required when emptying/dumping a wheelbarrow
With a choice of either 800W or 1,200W DC electric drive motors, the MUV Electric Wheelbarrow is virtually noise free in its operation. It comes with a choice of industrial plastic or galvanised steel tubs, is powered by two 12VC batteries, with a waterproof charger fitted on board.
There is a twist grip throttle on the right handle and it is capable of a maximum speed of 6km/hour. According to the company literature, “no driving license is required”.
Vencomatic revamps turkey nest
Increased robustness, greater “animal friendliness” and easier management are the claims accompanying the arrival of Vencomatic’s new turkey nest.
With a focus on egg quality, a gravity trap mechanism allows only one bird in the nest at a time, so as to reduce egg damage and help prevent broodiness. When the nest is empty there are no obstructions in front, which ensures easy accessibility.
Automatic expulsion using a tipping floor gently expels birds from the nest, again preventing broodiness and soiling. New wing protectors on the sidewalls prevent injury to the birds.
Eggs that have just been produced land on the Vencomat and roll directly onto the egg belt to prevent any possible damage by the birds. This belt has square holes, ensuring minimum contact with the egg and a smooth transfer through the house. It is made of antistatic material for optimal hygiene.
Furthermore, the nest is equipped with a new Clock Manager – a touch screen computer providing farm managers with a clear overview and control to manage the expulsion.
On farm generator from JCB
Best known for its Fastracs, telehandlers and diggers, JCB has launched a new range of QS diesel generators, providing essential back-up power in the event of a mains supply failure.
Three-stage fuel filtration ensures the engines run reliably, says the company, and a one-piece roof stops water getting in when the generator is located outdoors. Bigger slam-shut steel panel doors also provide easier access for periodic checks and servicing.
The 20-45kVA models are powered by the same Kohler engines used in the company’s 408/409 rigid arm and 180/220 telescopic mini-wheeled loaders.
Meanwhile, four-cylinder JCB Dieselmax engines are used for the 60-140kVA versions. Noise levels are down to 64dBA at 7m, says JCB, quieter than previous JCB gensets and ideal for noise-sensitive locations, such as poultry farms.
Top-of-the range 160-220kVA generators use the new six-cylinder JCB Dieselmax 672 engine, which is said to give a 7% fuel saving over previous JCB generators using a different power unit.
Heavy-duty tie-down points and lifting hooks are supplied, as well as optional fork pockets. Customers can also specify a 110% bunded base to contain fuel leaks or an engine block heater.
A typical 100kVA G115 QS model costs £11,104.
Blue foam to control rats
A new foam-based rodenticide from Bayer has been launched to tackle the UK’s increasing rat and mice populations.
Called Racumin Foam, it’s a water-based formulation that makes use of the rodents’ natural grooming habits. It’s aimed particularly at situations where other food temptations limit bait uptake or where traditional baiting methods can’t be used.
“The foam can be placed in areas where the rodents are known to pass, such as access holes, cavity walls and pipeworks,” says Ken Black, Bayer’s rural hygiene manager. “It’s then transferred to the pests’ coat as they brush past and is ingested straight into the bloodstream during routine grooming.”
The active ingredient in the bright blue foam – coumatetralyl – passes into the rat’s mouth and through the soft tissues into the bloodstream. The foam, which has the same consistency as shaving foam, will typically last for seven to 10 days and is used in the same places you would put conventional bait.
It has been available in European markets for five years but is only now available in the UK. One £35 can contains enough foam to give 30-40 treatments for rats and 120 for mice.
New ammonia sensor for broiler sheds
Atlanta-based sensor developer Lumense has recently launched its new continuous ammonia monitor in the USA, and will be bringing it to Europe later this year.
“Optimization of ammonia levels in poultry houses can increase processing yield and feed efficiency, reduce bird stress and disease and improve bird uniformity,” says the company.
The unit contains a user interface with a touchscreen display, a power supply and the plumbing necessary to draw poultry house air through the sensor.
The sensor automatically provides readings of ammonia levels, taken every two minutes from air drawn at beak level, to house ventilation controllers, allowing growers to continuously optimize ventilation, thus increasing bird performance and reducing feed cost.
The user can adjust alert thresholds, communication modes, security constraints and view recent and historical data for applicable targets.
From fruit orchard to broiler shed
A range of mounted and trailed mist sprayers that can improve the speed and effectiveness of poultry shed disinfection is now available in the UK.
Originally designed for arboriculture and viniculture applications – where a 360-degree spread of mist is needed to apply pesticides – Kuhn Farm Machinery’s GEO and GEO M mist sprayers are well suited to disinfecting broiler sheds, says the company.
The range includes mounted machines equipped with tanks of 300, 400 or 600 litres, and trailed models with a tank capacity of 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 litres. Turbine diameters range from 300, 400 or 600mm on mounted models, and 750, 850 or 900mm on trailed models.
All machines use Kuhn’s crop sprayer technologies and are fitted as standard with fresh-water rinsing and hand-wash tanks to comply with all applicable safety standards.
They are constructed using polyethylene tanks and a galvanised steel frame for greater resistance to corrosion and chemical attack. Piston-diaphragm pumps deliver a flow rate of 51, 71 or 89 litres per minute at operating pressures from 0 to 40 bar.
“What might take two or three people a whole day to do with knapsacks can easily be accomplished within a few hours with a suitable tank mister,” says sales manager Duncan McLeish.