Big Dutchman passes housing milestone

German poultry equipment manufacturer, Big Dutchman, has announced it has reached a milestone in rolling out a new range of technology, equipping the 25th million hen laying spot.

Two high-tech facilities at Laar in The Netherlands, housing 90,000 birds in total, allowed the company to reach the target as part of the roll-out of their NATURA-Step technology.

The set-up enables hens to move up and down a step to food, water and nests without leaving the system, resulting in a reduction of losses due to mislaid eggs.

Interest in these alternatives has increased as the EU-wide ban on conventional cage eggs in 2012 approaches, putting farmers under pressure to convert.

The announcement comes ahead of the VIV Europe 2010 show in late April and the British Pig and Poultry Fair on 11/12 May.