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Big Dutchman equips five houses for 84,000 pullets

Within the scope of an in-company open day, the German company Rothkötter Kraftfutterwerk GmbH recently inaugurated its new pullet rearing farm. The impressive system provides space for 84,000 animals which, following the period of raising, are used for producing hatching eggs for broiler breeder production. The Meppen-based company contracted Big Dutchman to provide the turn-key building as well as the equipment for the five different houses.

A combination of successfully tried and tested Big Dutchman classic solutions and modern computer technologies ensure optimum rearing conditions. The oldest feature is the CHAMPION feed chain, which is 70 years old and as such Big Dutchman’s “most senior” best-selling product world-wide. It distributes the feed evenly, quickly and reliably throughout the entire house. As the chain brings the feed to the animals feed separation is prevented, thus resulting in standard animal weight. The automatic chain feeding system is erected on firm stainless steel posts and can be raised as required – e.g. in the case of vaccination programmes. Furthermore, all cables - such as traction and suspension cables – which are used in the houses are made of stainless steel; this guarantees a long service life.

Some decades younger, but nevertheless equally efficient, is the Amacs management and control system: specially developed software based on modern internet technology makes it possible for the farm manager to control all essential functional areas by mouse click – and, if necessary, this can be done from any location in the world.

Amacs belongs to a new generation of computer-controlled farm management systems. The Big Dutchman innovation works on the basis of network techniques and modern communication technologies. This enables permanent data collection, monitoring and control of the houses in real time – even by Smartphone (I-Phone). It is possible for all the houses of one enterprise at one single location or even at several different ones to be controlled at the same time either locally on the spot, or by remote control. The technology as well as the graphic visualisation are user-friendly – and thus guarantee effective house management in respect of feeding, water supply, house climate etc. with the correspondingly positive effects on labour time and effort of the farm employees. Further advantages of the system: Amacs is suitable for small as well as large houses, it can be adapted to suit specific local circumstances and can be expanded at any time. Furthermore, the system makes it possible to keep a constant overview of stock; the acquired data are stored centrally and are thus available for purposes of comparison, which makes it possible to optimise animal performance. Alarm messages via e-mail to a mobile phone represent a further performance feature of Amacs.

Photos of the Housing System:

Optimum feed supply to the animals is guaranteed: automatic chain feed erected on posts, nipple troughs suspended on stainless steel cables

The firm posts of the automatic chain feed system are made of stainless steel and have a long service life.

The feed container and chain drive guarantee a reliable supply of feed.

Jumping is not innate - it has to be learned: once the animals have reached the right age, the jumping tables (formerly pulled up to the ceiling of the housing – see ceiling centre) are lowered for practice purposes.

With Amacs the farm manager can control all the important functional areas of the houses by means of a mouse click – from the local office as on the photo, if necessary however, also from any location whatsoever in the world.

Big Dutchman latest technologies appeal to fair visitors

“Quality matters!”

The recently concurrently held fairs “Saudi Agriculture 2009” and “Saudi Agro-food 2009” proved a big success for Big Dutchman and its Saudi-Arabian agency Al-Sahli Holding Co. The event took place in the Saudi-Arabian capital Riyadh. A whole four days the companies’ representatives welcomed a steady flow of visitors at their booth: The wide range of state-of-the-art technology on display such as a true-to-life sample of the innovative broiler cage Avimax met with great interest among the regional and international poultry producers.

“The positive reaction towards our products we experienced throughout the fair proves in particular one thing: Quality matters!” Big Dutchman sales manager Khalid Abdelrahman commented on the successful outcome of the event. In this context especially the broiler cage Avimax attracted the visitor’s attention. The main feature of the system is the patented easy-to-use pivoting floors that facilitate the moving-out process. Unsurpassed: the pivoting floor system allows for a low overall height of the installation while providing maximum headroom in the bird area. This makes for higher stocking densities, low building and energy costs and optimum air exchange.

“Saudi Agriculture 2009”/“Saudi Agro-food 2009”: Big Dutchman and its Saudi-Arabian agency Al Sahli for Poultry Projects were pleased with the outcome of the fair.

The faces behind the success: The Al Sahli team

Both state-of-the-art technology as well as the modern design of the booth appealed to the visitors.

A steady flow of visitors was welcomed at the booth.

In particular the broiler cage Avimax attracted the interest of the visitors.

Big Dutchman sales manager in Syria

Seminar meets with great interest among poultry experts

Commercial poultry production in Syria has developed significantly in recent years. At the same time, local producers are moving rapidly from floor to cage management and in particular into automation. To comply with the various requests of the industry for information on adequate management systems the Syrian Big Dutchman agency Al Boukhi Poultry recently organised a seminar. Sales manager Khalid Abdelrahman, poultry expert at Big Dutchman headquarters, flew in from Germany and provided the participants with an overview of equipment particularly well suited for the Syrian market. The event met with considerable interest: Altogether 280 experts attended the seminar which took in place in Hamah, 180 kilometres north of Damascus.

In his lecture Khalid Abdelrahman presented the company’s broad product range. Thereby he covered a wide variety of systems for egg and meat production as well as for broiler breeder management. The Syrian poultry experts, among them integrators, university professors, and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, displayed a vivid interest. In particular information on equipment for efficient automation of production processes was asked for.

Various exhibits had been set up in the open area front of the seminar location: By means of feed pans and drinker samples, a true to detail sample of the Big Dutchman cage system Univent for layer management as well as a control panel for tunnel ventilation the sales manager illustrated the use of the equipment in daily business.

Sales manager Khalid Abdelrahman informs about Big Dutchman products particularly well suited for the Syrian market.

Almost 280 Syrian poultry experts attended the seminar.

Big Dutchman feed pans and drinker samples are displayed outside of the seminar location.

Two control panels for tunnel ventilation and the true to life Univent sample met with great interest.

Expert talks at lunch

Five new staff members appointed

Big Dutchman in Asia strengthens sales team

Big Dutchman Asia (BD Asia), Shah Alam, Malaysia, is pleased to announce the following new staff members joining the regional sales network. These appointments will further ... [more]

Big Dutchman Asia (BD Asia), Shah Alam, Malaysia, is pleased to announce the following new staff members joining the regional sales network. These appointments will further strengthen BD’s position within Asia and mark the company's continued commitment to the region.

Peter Leong has been working for three years as International Sales Administrator whereby he has gained a lot of in-depth knowledge on the Big Dutchman range of equipment. Peter has now been promoted to a Sales Representative and will be working closely with the existing sales team to further strengthen the Big Dutchman brand in Malaysia.

Peter Leong

Ken Ng Chik Meng recently joined Big Dutchman as a Sales Representative. He will be working jointly with the existing sales team and is primarily responsible for both cage & floor systems in Malaysia. Ken has eight years experience in the poultry industry.

Ken Ng Chik Meng

Christian P. Dizon has been appointed as Sales Manager and will be responsible for poultry equipment sales for The Philippines. Christian will be working closely with the sales team and distributor to promote the Big Dutchman brand. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture majoring in Animal Science and has over ten years of poultry industry experience. Christian is based in Philippines Central Luzon.

Christian P. Dizon

Le Trong Tri recently joined Big Dutchman as Sales Manager for poultry equipment in Vietnam. Tri is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He is responsible for sales and support concerning Big Dutchman’s line of poultry equipment and will work jointly with the existing sales and distributor team. Tri holds a Bachelor of Animal Science and has over ten years experience within the poultry industry.

Le Trong Tri

Chhoun Samath joined Big Dutchman Asia’s sales division as Sales Representative for poultry equipment. Samath is based in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. He will be responsible for looking into new business opportunities for Big Dutchman in Cambodia. Samath holds a Bachelor of Agriculture.

Chhoun Samath

Extensive visitor interest, two "Innov' SPACE" innovation stars

Successful Big Dutchman participation at SPACE 2009

Big Dutchman reflects on successful participation at the recent SPACE 2009, the leading trade fair for modern livestock management in Rennes, France. "Interest from the trade in our equipment was very high. Most notably, our enriched colony system for managing laying hens drew a lot of interest"; sales manager Frank Moormann enthuses about the rewarding trade fair participation. Furthermore, two innovations from the worldwide market leader were awarded "Innov' SPACE" innovation stars.

Renowned experts from several French technology and agricultural organisations as well as journalists from the national trade press distinguished the user-friendly ELS4 controller for broiler-breeder houses, which enables an automatic adjustment of feed line heights - accurate to the centimetre, with the award of an innovation star. Up to four feed lines can be regulated, with the heights individually configurable.

A further innovation star was awarded by the jury for the Fumus fresh air chimney. The Big Dutchman novelty is particularly well suited for energy-saving applications in poultry houses, to which a fresh air supply is not possible via the side walls.

"We were delighted by the stars" remarks Frank Moormann in response to the Innov’Space awards. A good mood was also guaranteed by the brisk visitor interest in the Big Dutchman enriched colony system. "We were the first to be represented on the French market with such a system. We have since realised a range of Colony 60 or 20 projects in France and word has naturally spread around the industry". Big Dutchman was also received with positive resonance in terms of its solutions for an efficient floor management of laying hens. In light of the pending European Union-wide cage ban set to come into force in 2012, it was no wonder that the Big Dutchman stand was a must for laying hen farmers ready to make the change.

For comprehensive information on new and classic Big Dutchman products in a range of languages, go to www.bigdutchman.de. New: The Big Dutchman is now also available in French.