Poultry farming has become a lucrative business over the years with the growing demand for eggs and chicken meat. However, to successfully operate a commercial poultry farm, investing in the right kind of machinery and equipment is essential. In this article, we take a look at some of the most important poultry keeping machinery used on commercial farms.
Feeding Systems
One of the largest expenses in poultry farming is feed. Feeding the birds efficiently and ensuring uniform intake of feed by each bird is important for optimal growth and productivity. Some commonly used feeding systems include:
– Feeders: Trough or pan feeders are designed to hold feed and allow birds easy access. Different types are available based on the age and numbers of birds.
– Feed bins: Large capacity feed storage bins made of galvanized metal or plastic are used to store feed on the farm premises.
– Feed distribution systems: For large commercial operations, automated belt or auger feed distribution systems efficiently transport feed from storage to feeders.
– Feed wagons: For mobile feeding in deep-litter barns, feed wagons efficiently distribute pre-measured feed amounts while minimizing wastage.
– Feed processing equipment: Mills, mixers and pelletizers are used to finely grind and process feed ingredients into the right texture and size based on the birds’ ages.
Drinking Systems
Similar to feeding, easy access to clean drinking water is essential for the health and growth of poultry. Common watering systems include:
– Bell drinkers: Hanging or floor-mounted bell drinkers with adjustable flow of water are suitable for different age groups.
– Nipple drinker lines: PVC nipple drinker lines with drinkers placed at intervals provide each bird individual access to clean water.
– Automatic watering systems: For large flocks, automated water distribution with pipelines and drinkers ensures constant supply of clean water.
– Water sanitizing and filtration equipment: Chlorinators and water filtration equipment maintain water quality by removing impurities and preventing spread of diseases.
Housing Systems
The type and design of Poultry Keeping Machinery depends on key factors like available area, local climatic conditions, bird ages and operations scale. Some housing system types are:
– Cage systems: Battery cages arranged in multi-tier racks are high density systems commonly used for egg laying hens.
– Deep-litter sheds: Large barns with deep wood shavings/rice hull litter accommodate broiler/meat birds up to harvest weight.
– Free-range/organic: Spacious barns with attached outdoor range areas following free-range production standards.
– Brooder housing: Insulated brooder houses with heating and adjustable ventilation for baby chicks.
– Nesting/perching systems: For egg layers, nest boxes and perches are installed to encourage natural behaviors.
Ventilation, insulation and bird-handling equipment like catchers, transport cages are other essential housing subsystems. Computerized controls now also manage climate and other operations.
Waste Management Equipment
With thousands of birds, efficient manure removal and waste management is a daily chore. Depending on the production system, common waste handling equipment includes:
– Scraper systems: Automated mechanized alley scrapers clear manure from deep-bedded housing into scraping alleys.
– Conveyor belts: Continuous belt conveyors transport manure outside to storage or directly spread on fields.
– Flush systems: High pressure flush systems with drains and pumps clear manure from cages or other slotted floors into drains and lagoons.
– Agitators and pumpers: Truck-mounted agitators and slurry pumpers homogenize and pump manure slurry for field application as fertilizer.
– Compost turners: Large drum compost turners are used for aerobic composting of solid manure piles into organic fertilizer.
With the diverse range of available poultry keeping machinery, farmers can select systems tailored to their flock size, land, production type and scale for efficient operations. Proper selection and use of this essential equipment ensures optimum returns from commercial poultry farming ventures.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
