Blog posts of '2016' 'May'

Hog Slat’s newest feed drop hangs straight under the feed pipe to reduce twist. Available in two models; HSSD60C for mounting on Grow-Disk metal pipe or HSS55DC for model 55 PVC pipe.

The Center Drop is molded from UV stable polypropylene to prevent damage from sunlight and cold temperatures.  An open-top design permits direct installation on feed pipe and a large access plug allows access to inside of the feeder. A plastic clip for record cards completes the exterior features.

The Center Drop features positive open/close shutoff.

Large adjustment dial permits single-hand regulation feed settings from one to eight pounds.

Nylon wheel reduces wear on lifter cord and the weighted ball securely seals bottom opening.

To order go to http://hogslat.com/hog-slat-center-drop-sow-feeder-8-lb

Hog Slat’s Drop Tube Assembly completes the installation to a metal pipe.  Available in 2″ or 3″ models, the flared top reduces feed spillage and provides a flexible mount to sow drops.

To order go to http://hogslat.com/grower-select-adjustable-drop-tube-assembly-4 

I recently had a chance to look through some old books of my father’s and ran across The Yearbook of Agriculture, 1960 edition called Power to Produce. The forward from this book reads:

“The value of this book is to bring into sharp focus the technological revolution that is now changing not only agriculture but our way of life.”  and “we must make the most of the extra food technological advances provide.”

In the middle of the book, I found these two images. Black and white photos of the latest in 1960 agricultural technology for laying hens. It looks a lot like current “cage-free” egg production to me.

1960’s style aviary?

Floyd Smith, Waseon, Ohio, shown in the photograph above, demonstrates how dry the litter is in his poultry house when temperatures were below zero degrees outside and about 55° F inside. The insulated windows make the most of the wintertime sunshine to reduce moisture and keep temperatures even.

 The pole-type, prefabricated-steel laying house pictured below has a slat floor, mechanized feeder, fiberglass insulation, and an interior lining of corrugated galvanized steel sheets.  The central ridge ventilator with turnabout fans supply up to 6 c.f.m. per bird.  The building is 48 by 64 feet, has an egg room and work room 12 by 32 feet.

Check the nests mounted to the wall.

This was the time period when augers to fill feeders and automated water systems were the latest technology and began to replace hand labor. Confinement systems were beginning to be developed to allow fewer farmers to provide more food to a growing urban population.

Hog Slat and Georgia Poultry are in the business of providing egg producers with the latest options for producing “cage-free” eggs.  Give us a call today at 800-949-4647.

Potter’s Nests at Yuppie Hill Poultry

At one time or another, almost ever poultry grower has walked into a house and found empty pans caused by a malfunctioning control pan. These unplanned feed outages cause broiler performance to suffer and potential lost revenue at close out.

Control pans using mechanical paddle switches are subject to failure when fine feed dust packs in behind the paddle. When the fabric diaphragm, protecting the switch, becomes torn this can happen even more frequently.

Advanced G-Logic sensor replaces mechanical paddle switches.

The new G-Logic Control Pan utilizes a different type of switch to prevent this kind of feed outage from occurring. The G-Logic Sensor replaces mechanical switches with the most accurate solid-state technology available today. It electronically detects when the feed level fills the control pan and shuts the feed line motor off. After the level drops and calls for the feed line to start, a preset 60-second delay prevents short-cycling to improve motor life.

Encapsulated solid-state sensor

The G-Logic sensor has no moving parts to wear out, no adjustment screws and no fabric diaphragms to replace. Unlike open mechanical button switches, the sensor is sealed from harsh poultry house environments.

The G-Logic control pan comes complete with a 10′ pigtail cord and 18″ cord protector. It’s an 115/230 volt unit with an 8-spoke grill. It’s available at any Georgia Poultry, Eastern Shore or Hog Slat store near you. Go online at www.gapoultry.com or call 800-949-4647.

Mewborn farm entrance sign

“These chicken houses are my family’s life; they’re our investment,” stated Wesley Mewborn. “As a new grower, I trusted the folks at Hog Slat to provide the right equipment and follow up service. So far, they haven’t let me down.”

Wesley with Hog Slat service tech Dewayne Dunn

After spending 13 years in the retail hardware business, Wesley, and his wife, Robin purchased land near Kenansville, NC and constructed six, 46′ x 600′ broiler houses in Oct 2014.

52″ Windstorm Fans

A Hired Hand 4000 computer controls a total of 14 52″ galvanized Windstorm fans in each house along with winter air inlets. The arrival of warm weather begins the transition to evaporative cooling by opening the tunnel curtains and powering on the EVAP Cooling system.

GrowerSELECT feed line and Plasson drinker line.

The houses feature two GrowerSELECT feed lines using Classic Flood pan feeders with extended fins. Water is provided by four drinker lines regulated with a Plasson Water-On-Demand system.

“Raising chickens really just comes down to providing good air, feed, and water,” Wesley explained. “The more time you spend in the houses making sure that happens, the better the final results. The equipment in my houses provide me with the tools to be successful.”

Farm with recent six house addition in the background.

This spring, the Mewborn family added six more broiler houses to the farm. “We really didn’t change much,” Wesley said, “other than moving the brood area to the middle.”  We plan on installing the Hired Hand Farm Manager system to provide real-time remote monitoring. It will give me the ability to check conditions in the houses and even make changes when I’m not there. It ties into the Farm Alarm and notifies me when there’s a problem.”

Wesley and Macy

“Chicken farming is a great lifestyle for a family. My kids, Layla and Macy, come to the farm every day, and that means a lot. Robin and I feel like we are building a good business and good family.”