Your contact

Eugen Walter

Head of the Poultry Breeding Department

Tel.: +49 (0)5021 - 9226954
Email: e.walter(at)hartmann-la-gmbh.de

  Poultry Breeding > Technology / Equipment

Feeding systems for parent animal breeding

Vitoo System

In parent stock breeding it is very important to provide an optimal supply with feed for the day-old chicks from the very first day. Later on it is decisive that each pan is filled at the same time exactly with the prescribed feed quantity.

The pan feeding system Vitoo is the right choice for parent animal breeding.

  • A flooding mechanism and a flatly designed pan ensure easy access to the feed and thereby a perfect start for the day-old chicks.
  • The unique oval shape of the pan with 16 feeding places guarantees the best possible utilisation of the space in the stable.
  • Optimal feed distribution: Each pan is filled at the same time with the same quantity of feed. Stress is avoided for the animals.
  • An anti-pivot part prevents swivelling of the pan. It is ensured that the feed stays in the pan in central position.
  • The construction of interior and exterior pan avoids feed losses.
  • The UV-resistant plastic material is resistant to all common cleaning and disinfecting agents. In addition, a robust flap mechanism allows for thorough cleaning without removing the pan.
  • A shut-off slide enables the separation of the rearing house or even partial rearing.

Basic components:

  • Excellent, even feed distribution
  • Perfect start from the first day
  • High feed level during the first days of rearing
  • Easy access to the feed because of the low-seated pan
  • 16 feeding places because of the oval shape of the pan
  • Optimal adjustment of the feed quantity by means of an adjustment ring
  • Setting of the exact feed quantity through the control pan
  • Easy to clean and robust

Feeding systems for broiler breeders

Kixoo System

In the production of hatching eggs it is decisive that each pan is filled with the prescribed feed quantity at the same time as far as possible, so that no stress is created for the animals. In addition, it has to be avoided that the roosters feed from the hens' pan and vice versa. Therefore, two pan feeding systems are available, Kixoo for the hens and Boozzter for roosters.

The pan feeding system Kixoo – the right choice for broiler parent animals:

  • Optimal feed distribution; each pan is filled at the same time with the same quantity of feed. Stress is avoided for the animals.
  • The construction of interior and exterior pan avoids feed losses.
  • An anti-pivot part prevents swivelling of the pan. It is ensured that the feed stays in the pan in central position.
  • The height and width can be adjusted on the inside grill of the feeding pan and prevents that the roosters feed from the hens' pan. Furthermore, feed losses are avoided as the opening can be adjusted to the age of the animals.
  • The UV-resistant plastic material is resistant to all common cleaning and disinfecting agents. In addition, a robust flap mechanism allows for thorough cleaning without removing the pan.
  • With its height-adjustable grill inside, the Kixoo feeding pan is also suitable for raising parent animal day-old chicks.
  • A locking slide enables the separation of the stable or even partial occupancy. 

Basic components:

  • Separate feeding of hens and cocks
  • 16 feeding places because of the oval shape of the pan
  • Optimal feeding place distribution
  • No feed losses owing to the double pan
  • Excellent control of feed costs
  • Easy to clean and robust

Feeding systems for cocks

Boozzter System

  • Comfortable feeding for cocks only
  • 10 feeding places per pan
  • Maximum feed savings
  • No selective feeding, no feed losses
  • High degree of uniformity
  • Optimal hygiene, easy to clean

Feeding systems for turkey hen feeding

The feeding of turkey hens presents a particular challenge. The reason is that the animals become considerably heavier than for example, broilers or ducks do. This not only poses high requirements for the stability of the equipment. It is also important that the feeding technology has a good design. Here, the details matter. On the one hand, the chicks can find feed easily in the first few days. On the other hand, it must be prevented in respect of the cocks weighing 20 kilograms that they waste feed. 

Here, the Optimax feeding system is the optimal solution:

  • A special, very flat feed bowl for raising the animals ensures a good start for the chicks from the first day onward.
  • A large internal cone prevents soiling of the feeding surface.
  • The internal cone can be adjusted precise to the millimetre by means of a notch system.
  • In addition, a central adjustment of the feed level can be fitted, e.g. to raise the feed level in the first days after the housing in the stable. This makes finding feed easier for the animals.
  • The large feeding bowl permits, by virtue of its shape, that the feed quantity in the bowl is reduced to an absolute minimum. Waste of feed is prevented thereby.
  • Rounded plastic parts prevent injuries and ensure thereby a first-class carcass.
  • The bowl is connected very firmly to the grille by means of special fastening. This prevents that the heavy cocks push down the feed bowl.
  • Yet the bowl can be very easily demounted with a special tool, e.g. for cleaning.
  • The feeding system is extremely robust and for this reason, the manufacturer extends a 10-year, declining warranty for its bowls.

Basic components:

  • Feed is concentrated in a circular trench in the middle of the bowl
  • A wide feed cavity avoids that feed is wasted
  • This results in highest efficiency, good feed utilisation and low feed costs
  • The rounded parts and the bowl cover with precise positioning avoid injuries

Feed is by far the greatest cost factor in turkey feeding. Research into a good feeding system always pays off!

OPTistart System

  • Feeding level can be conveniently adjusted by means of a central winch
  • Low brim of the feed bowl, enabling easy learning for the chicks
  • Good start for the chicks, low number of losses during raising
  • Wide internal cylinder prevents the animals from walking on the bowl
  • Very good feed hygiene

Feeding systems for duck feeding

Feed is also the most important cost factor in duck feeding. Another factor to be considered is that ducks feed differently to broilers, for example, on account of the shape of their bills. In duck feeding it is therefore important to use a feeding bowl that meets these special requirements.

A Multimax feed bowl, specially refitted for duck feeding, is the ideal solution here.

  • In the first days duck rearing, the bowl can be filled up to the brim by means of a special flute mechanism. This way the animals find the feed very easily, gain weight quickly and have a good start in life.
  • During the further course of feeding, the feed level can be adjusted to suit the needs of the animals by means of a precision adjustment mechanism.
  • Due to the shape of their bills, ducks tend to throw feed out of the bowl when they are feeding. For this reason, a special feeding collar is mounted in the second feed compartment in order to prevent this from happening.
  • Duck excrement is rather aggressive. Furthermore, there is often increased humidity in duck pens. Therefore, the complete feeding system is also offered in a rust-free, stainless steel version.

Another benefit is that, subject to minor modifications, this feeding system can also be used for broiler feeding and turkey hen rearing. This way, you can keep all options, especially in a strongly fluctuating market environment.

Feeding systems for broilers

Intelligent, effective and durable – the Haikoo and Minimax feeding systems are developed specifically for broiler feeding and ensure a reliable supply of feed with reduced stress levels. 

Haikoo System

  • Feeding system for floor-pen and cage breeding
  • Strong growth from the 1st day onward
  • Optimal feeding point distribution
  • 16 feeding points, thanks to the oval shape of the pan
  • Excellent control of feed costs
  • 14% more feeding space
  • Easy to clean and robust

Minimax System

  • Feeding system for floor-pen and cage breeding
  • Strong growth from the 1st day onward
  • Feed savings
  • 14 feeding points per pan
  • High degree of uniformity
  • Optimal hygiene, easy to clean

Watering systems

With SwiiFlo and Sparkcup, Hartmann offers two watering systems for universal use, which ensure an optimal water supply for the entire stock.

SwiiFlo System

  • Watering system for floor-pen breeding
  • Optimal water supply for the animals
  • Watering system with drip pan
SwiiFlo
Sparkcup
 
 
 

Watering systems for parent animals in farming and production

SPARKcup System

  • Watering system for floor-pen breeding
  • Full freedom of movement for the animals
  • Excellent hygiene, easy maintenance
  • Optimal water supply for the animals
  • Self-cleaning cups
  • Dry litter

Watering systems for turkey hen feeding

Bell drinking trough
Bell drinking trough
Bell drinking trough
LUBING Easyline Watering System
Main water supply
Pressure reducer
Separation fence

Water is the basic prerequisite to all life This is particularly true in the case of turkey hen feeding. Compared to other poultry, turkey hens have particular difficulty finding water. Especially in farming, it is therefore absolutely essential that the animals can see the water. At the same time, a large water surface results in the water heating up and in soiling in the watering systems.

It is furthermore important that as little water as possible gets into the litter. Dry litter supports the health of the animals and ensures a flawless carcass.

For this reason, Hartmann offers two watering systems for turkey hen feeding:

Bell drinking trough

  • This watering system has been used successfully in turkey hen feeding for more than 30 years.
  • A large water surface is available so that the animals can easily take in the water.
  • The water level can be adjusted to the needs of the animals.
  • A flat drinking trough is used in farming, so that the animals can find the water easily.
  • A high drinking trough is used in feeding. This helps keep the litter dry and lowers the litter costs.
  • Very robust and therefore particularly suitable for final feeding.
  • In high temperatures, the water level can be raised to make the intake of water easier.
  • An integrated weight prevents the drinking trough from swivelling and ensures that the litter stays dry.

Accessories for turkey hen breeding

In addition to equipment required for feeding, watering and air-conditioning, we have the resources to offer accessories that improve farming results and ensure greater work efficiency.

LUBING Easyline Watering System

  • Relatively small water surface, meaning that the drinking troughs stay very clean.
  • The animals can hardly splash any water into the litter, meaning the drinking troughs stay very dry.
  • The system can be cleaned with very little effort (even fully automatically, as an optional extra).
  • In particular, in the high temperatures that are prevalent in breeding, with this system the spread of germs in the watering system can be prevented.
  • So that day-old chicks can find the water easily, a bowl is placed into the drinking trough. This raises the water level and the animals have a clear view of the water.
  • Small drinking bowls are used in breeding.
  • Special, considerably larger drinking bowls are used in feeding so as to keep water penetration into the litter to a minimum.
  • The special starter bowl helps chicks to quickly learn how to find water
  • Low breeding losses
  • Low water level once the animals have learned how to use the syste
  • Reduced water losses and dry litter
  • High standard of hygiene on account of the small amount of water in the bowl
  • Automatic cleaning system
  • Improved hygiene for healthy animals

Overview of feeding and watering systems

Air-conditioning systems

Lumina 38 Touch
GP 70
GP 95

Protect you poultry livestock from stress caused by weather. Be it a heat wave in the summer or freezing temperatures in the winter – air-conditioning systems by Hartmann create an excellent micro-climate throughout your entire barn, with temperature differences of less than 1° Celsius.

The results of the air-conditioning systems are impressive: Owing to an optimally controllable production during the entire growth process – from one-day old chicks to grown animals – you will achieve growth accelerations of up to 10%, greater utilisation of feed, and a lower loss rate.

At the heart of the air-conditioning systems is the control and monitoring computer produced by well-known Dutch company Fancom. Fresh air, exhaust air and heating is controlled fully automatically via the computer. If a failure occurs, an audio-visual alarm signal is triggered. 

The capacity of the air-conditioning system is custom designed and configured depending on need. A multitude of local sensors not only ensure an even, pleasant and growth-promoting climate throughout the entire barn, but also permit the partitioning of the stable into different climate areas.

Gas and oil generators are used to heat the barns, as well as air heaters with heat exchangers in the hot water pump heaters. The poultry barns/coops are equipped with a channel ventilation system for cooling, in which an airflow with a speed of up to 3 m/s is created to lower the temperature felt by the poultry. The effect can even be increased if an additional PadCool system is installed. Using this system, fresh air is moistened and cooled. Alternatively, this effect can also be achieved with the TopKlima system. It consists of spray nozzle lines and is suitable for both cooling and humidifying over the course of the entire year.

All air-conditioning systems are controlled by means of a user-friendly control panel. The Hartmann company uses equipment produced by the following European manufacturers to generating the micro-climate in poultry barns: Ziehl-Abegg of Germany, Pericoli of Italy, Belimo of Switzerland, Ridder of Holland and Reventa of Germany.

Monochromatic special lighting for poultry farming has also successfully become established. Animals remain calmer when exposed to mono-chromatic light. This is not only achieved the the use of the right colour but also through the removal of unwanted colours. Furthermore, the animals can rest and develop better during the dark periods.

Laying nests

ECOliberty System

Hartmann delivers automated nests, manufactured in Germany by Fienhage Poultry Solutions, which are designed for laying hens and broiler breeders. These nests are available as either one- or two-tier versions. A big advantage of the laying nests is their solid plug system that enables particularly simple installation and disassembly.

On account of the special shape, the laying hen can rest its breast on the pad and feel safe. The self-cleaning AstroTurf pad for the nest is dust-free, thanks to its holes. If the egg is broken, the contents flow downward and the hatching eggs stay clean.

A choice of various slat widths ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 metres is available – depending on the kind of poultry, the customer's needs, and the conditions in the barn. The fences offered are made of polypropylene and are characterised by their stability, low weight and durability. The substructure made of galvanised flat iron is particularly stable. The bottom part of the nests is made from resilient stainless steel.

All nests are equipped with an egg conveyor belt, whereby the newly laid eggs roll onto the perforated collecting belt and are transported into the air-conditioned egg collecting channel. The risk that the eggs will roll on top of each other during the collecting process is minimised. This efficient and user-friendly system ensures that laying hens quickly become familiar with the nests, thus reducing stress.

For larger properties with a large number of eggs produced, Hartmann recommends using automatic egg collecting systems by the company Lubing, as well as appropriate packaging systems.

Basic components:

  • Positioning of the feed and watering lines on the grille
  • Automatic lowering of the feeding circuits during feeding times and their subsequent raising reduces stress and the number of eggs that fall onto the floor
  • Better acceptance of the nests
  • Special Astroturf pads protect the eggs from breaking
  • The gentle system for moving the animals out of the coop prevents the eggs from starting to hatch
  • Fewer broken eggs due to the automatic egg transport systems and separate egg conveyor belt
  • Low germ-count thanks to the automatic egg packing machine

Cage systems

Battery cages with several levels are the ideal way to maximise capacities in broiler breeding. Compared to floor-pen breeding, the livestock number can be multiplied. The advantages of cage breeding are:

  • Significant reduction of construction costs
  • Improvement of weight gain
  • Optimisation of feed utilisation
  • Reduction of labour when moving the poultry out of the barn, on account of the partial automation
  • Reduction of heating costs per animal on account of the higher occupation density

The cage system offered by Hartmann consists of a stable steel structure. It is made from galvanised profiles with varying strengths and guarantees a long lifetime. All steel elements of the structure, including the systems for the removal of excrement and the systems for transporting the poultry are made in Germany by Fienhage Poultry Solutions. 

Owing to the company's extensive practical experience, continued development and improvement of the design, Hartmann offers a developed product that is unique in the market. Cages can be delivered with 3 and 4 tiers. The width of each cage is 1.6 metres, the length 1.2 metres, the surface area 1.89 square metres. To provide staff with improve access to the poultry or the equipment, the cage is fitted with small sliding doors on either side.

Included as part of the standard equipment with each cage is the Haikoo oval feed bowl manufactured by Roxell as well as five drinking nipples produced by Lubing, which are installed on two lines. The height adjustment of the feeding and watering lines in the battery is provided centrally, by means of a winch. A excrement conveyor is installed along the entire length of the battery cage, underneath the soft floor. The belt is also used to transport the poultry out of the barn/coop. Once the the floors have been slid out, the poultry is positioned on the belt, on which it is transported to the elevator at the end of the battery. The elevator, which is equipped with a lifting device for the transportation of the poultry across the floors and a cover for protection from light, brings the poultry to the mobile conveyor, which in turn takes it to the boxes. The automated system for moving the animals out of the barn/coop offered by Hartmann ensures the maximum preservation of the poultry during transport and protects the birds from stress and injuries.

A compact diode lighting system is used for illumination, whereby the adjustment of the lighting from 0 to 100% across the batteries and floors in the barn can be easily controlled, also allowing the behaviour of the flock to be controlled. Illumination using blue light calms the animals down while they are being moved from the cages and enables the staff to continuously monitor the moving out process.

A particular highlight are the soft floors developed and patented by the Hartmann company. These are provided especially for the cage breeding of broilers. The primary aim during development was to design an affordable system, which meets the manifold requirements in a modern broiler breeding business. At the same time, special attention was paid to stability, ease of assembly and, of course, comfort for the poultry.

The material of the soft floor has a low friction resistance, which considerably lowers the labour effort on the part of the staff – especially when broilers are being removed. An additional benefit of this design is the increased density of the plastic, whereby wear and tear is reduced to a minimum. Thus, the stable and reliable structure of the soft floor by the Hartmann company is designed for many years of use, during which care and maintenance costs are also very low. Conclusion: All factors create first-class hygienic conditions that not only reduce the likelihood of bacterial and viral diseases but also ensure the animals' well-being. Because the greater the animal's comfort, the better the performance and thus the better the economic results as well.

 

Download as PDF (2,3 MB)