Just in case you missed it, you can read all about Big Dutchman’s innovate computer-controlled flushing system right here.
Newquip, the UK supplier of Big Dutchman pig and poultry equipment, is ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest innovations for successful egg and broiler production.
Big Dutchman has recently developed a new watering system for tiered poultry houses, which Newquip is rolling out here in mainland UK.
The system works by using computer-controlled rinsing devices for nipple lines, which have been designed to increase water quality and animal health. This highly effective and time-saving tool can be utilised in multiple environments, depending on the specific requirements of the site in question. By opening a valve on the pressure regulator, up to 3 bar of pressure is permitted to travel down the line. A none return valve at the breather end of the line then allows the water to escape from the system into a drainage tube in order to dispose of the water.
The system was first introduced in the broiler and rearing markets in response to the higher temperatures found within the houses. During darker periods of time, the water would run the risk of becoming too warm as a result of the temperature of the house. This, in turn, could result in bacterial growth, as well as making the water less palatable for the birds.
This innovative Big Dutchman system can therefore purge each line before the lights turn on, ensuring that fresh water is available for the birds to drink as soon as they require it. At the same time, the regular flushing reduces the build-up of Bio films whilst reducing residue deposits. The flushing can be programmed to work on a calendar basis, or, alternatively, a temperature sensor can be installed in the line. This sensor is able to automatically react to either the age of the birds in rearing, or the external weather influences in commercial layers.
The advantages, however, do not stop there. This clever flushing system can also be employed to improve vaccination. Advanced controllers accurately time the flushing required for each line. This means that the water can be flushed out so that water-soluble vaccines are available to the birds consistently along the line as soon as they start to drink. With each line being flushed in turn, water is able to be removed without wasting the valuable vaccine. In cases where this process is undertaken manually, it can be very time-consuming.
Typically this system has been integral to complete new build housing solutions but it can be fitted retrospectively to existing units as required.
To read the article in full, turn to page 61 of the May edition of the Ranger.