Wheatbelt Steel Poultry Sheds: Addressing Welfare Needs in a Cost Efficient Solution - WHITEPAPER - APRIL 2015
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Wheatbelt Steel Poultry Sheds: Addressing Welfare Needs in a Cost Efficient Solution WHITEPAPER - APRIL 2015
Hay Storage & Processing Sheds by Wheatbealt Steel for Hay Australia - Yerecoin, WA
Today’s scientifically designed poultry sheds have come a long way
since the old days of poorly ventilated, inefficient steel sheds.
Poultry welfare has never been higher on the public’s agenda, meaning egg
and meat producers are required to provide improved living conditions that support bird health while
reducing stress.
At the same time, they need to achieve a return on investment for these higher grade facilities, while
operating a viable business plan.
Wheatbelt Steel has responded with a market leading steel shed that draws on
technological advances to create cost efficiencies while achieving advanced health
and comfort for the birds.
With optimised living conditions, not Its impressive colour, taste, scent and texture
only do the hens fare better, but their owe a great deal to the effective storage
rapid and healthy growth yields a methods used following processing and prior
faster turnover. to shipping.
Upon arrival from the hatchery, the day-
Quality Assurance programs from the old chicks are placed on the floor of the
Australian Fodder Industry Association are preheated shed, which is covered with a thick
in place to protect industry standards, with a layer of fresh shavings, sawdust or rice hulls.
grading system utilized to indicate nutritional
value. About half to one third of the total floor area
is used initially, with more space being made
WA’s hay has an enviable reputation for available to the chicks as they grow, until they
energy value, fibre content and palatability, eventually have free run of the whole shed.
particularly for ruminants.
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Hay Storage Sheds by Wheatbealt Steel for Glenvar Hay - Wannamal, WA
Males and females may be separated, or
raised together, depending on the producer.
Some extra heating may be provided for the
chicks, usually with overhead heat lamps. The
hens also need good lighting, with dark periods Unsurprisingly, high quality roof and wall
to enable them to rest. insulation is central to both temperature control
and cost control. The insulation materials used
Next comes the ‘grow out’ period. Broiler hens by Wheatbelt Steel, usually glass wool, foil or
have been selectively bred over generations for a combination of both, reduce heat transfer
their fast growth rates, and they reach maturity by up to 95%. This helps to maintain a steady
in just 3 weeks. The ‘brooders’, which are to temperature in both winter and summer. With
be used for future breeding stock, are removed foil fitted at time of construction, a 2” gap is left
from the flock at around 4 to 14 days. The between the foil and the steel roof, meaning
remaining hens are ready for ‘thinning out’ at that roof vents are also needed to move
between one to two months. After all the birds trapped heat out of the space.
have gone, the shed needs to be cleaned for
arrival of the next batch. Ventilation is equally important, both to assist
with temperature control and air quality. Dust
The temperature inside the shed needs to be needs to be extracted from the shed, as
carefully controlled throughout this period. deteriorating litter can be detrimental to the
During the first two days of the flock’s life, it birds’ health, with lingering bacteria and gases
is optimised at 31-32˚. It is then reduced by posing a health risk. Poultry sheds used to rely
around 0.5˚C each day, finally reaching 21- on louvre walls and roof vents, for ‘passive’ or
23˚C at around 21 days, when the broilers are ‘natural’ ventilation.
fully grown. Such temperature control, which
is essential in the stifling Australian climate, In a huge improvement, Wheatbelt Steel’s
is made possible in Wheatbelt Steel’s fully closed sheds are designed to accommodate
enclosed poultry sheds. electrically powered, mechanical
ventilation, which ensures an optimal
ambience for the flock.
WHITEPAPER - APRIL 2015 3
5000 Tonne Hay Storage Sheds by Wheatbealt Steel for Watpow Downs - Kukerin, WA
Another reason for good ventilation is that if
condensation starts to build up, particularly
following Australia’s summer storms, it
can swiftly be moved out of the building.
Otherwise, accumulating moisture dampens
Over the past 40 years,
the litter, causing ideal conditions for bacterial
Wheatbelt Steel has grown alongside
growth.
the Australian agricultural industry,
responding to developments by constantly
On the other hand, overly dry and dusty
advancing its range of sheds.
conditions can be controlled with water
misting equipment. Meanwhile, solar panels
fitted to the shed’s ample roofs can harness
natural resources to reduce electricity bills.
With an enviable reputation for quality,
Meanwhile, the use of LED lighting also helps
the company designs and builds large steel-
to minimise costs.
framed sheds and buildings that suit the
Australian climate and landscape, while
Alongside the improved poultry welfare, the
meeting the poultry producer’s needs
major benefit to producers is that temperature,
for welfare, efficiency, affordability and
humidity and air quality can be checked and
convenience
adjusted through climate-control software that
operates to data transmitted by sensors fitted
throughout the shed.
This helps to ensure cost minimisation
is achieved, as the electrically powered
equipment is only switched on when it is really
needed.
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98 Byfield St (PO Box 910) BUILDING SHEDS
Northam WA 6401
Phone: 1800 800 909 SINCE 1982
Fax: 1800 800 910
sales@wheatbeltsteel.com.au
www.wheatbeltsteel.com.au
ABN 27 148 829 378
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