On-farm hatching in traditional broiler houses. J. Bierens (Vencomatic)
Published:June 16, 2014
John Bierens, Sales Director Europe, introduces Vencomatic´s last innovation, X-Treck which enables direct post-hatch feed and water access and eliminates the stressful events of chick handling and transportation, providing an optimal start for chicks on the farm.
Great concept. Have you tried it with turkeys? It probably offers even more benefits to turkeys, due to the high poult cost, and the sensitive nature of modern breeds. The early hatchlings will stimulate their room-mates to feed and drink.
HOW do you control temperature and humidity??? Not evident from the video.
HelloI am a field scientist raising over half my food for 40 years so far. I totally agree with early feeding of small poultry and found that the MOST excitement /stimulation was generated when a spoonful of GRIT was placed on the floor near the water vessel. DAY-OLD chicks were jumping and scratching and pecking vigorously.
TWO points of information:
These chicks, the AB CROSS = Ameraucana x Barnevelder + a few Wellsummers***
were on the ground outside with wings at 17 days old in 35-45 degree weather.
The last batch in June never went into artificial light and heat in the barn. At ONE DAY OLD, they were in a cardboard-lined cage outside above the open pen with the older chicks. Again grit on day one seemed
so stimulating!
We avoid anti-biotics in all animals and poultry on the farm by this healthy cleaning protocol:
USE Cleanwell Botanical Disinfectant (not bleach) to clean all water container, and then add 1/4 tsp GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT GSE by NutriBiotic. Mustard colored, liquid poopies disappear within a few hours.
All studies done were using poultry from hatcheries on west coast USA whose Parents were fed "contaminated food substitutes" and 2013 saw a year of NO hatchery poultry surviving to reproductive capabilities. We fed organic from day received.
***
Ameraucana = 320 green eggs a yr skinny little useless roosters
Barnevelder = 150 dark brown heavy shelled eggs a year, Cockerels dressed at 3 lbs at 3.5 months old!
Wellsummer = hard dark eggs very calm and regular clean habits
Pure Barnevelder Rooster used with six Barnevelder 8 Ameraucana 2 Wellsummers in Spring 2014
QUESTION: When will these hatcher /brooders be available for chickens /turkeys on West Coast USA? Does same brooder hold different size forms for chickens and turkeys? THANK YOU for inventing this, many
HAPPIER BIRDS!!! Our farming collective will only need a few sections.