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Know How / Layers / Housing and handling

Choosing the system in which you house your birds represents a huge commitment. Modern multi-tier aviaries may seem similar on the surface, but in reality, will have quirks that require careful consideration.

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POULTRY

How a borehole is saving free-range egg producer £5,000/year

Installing a borehole to draw a private water supply is resulting in cost savings of about £5,000/year for a Pembrokeshire free-range egg business. Lyn and Carol Jenkins diversified from dairy…

POULTRY

How free-range egg unit slashed bills with solar electricity

When June and Frank Armstrong’s power supply company quoted a figure of £150,000 to hook up their new poultry shed to the mains electricity network, it forced a rethink. The…

POULTRY

How a layer unit expanded rapidly with focus on welfare

A Devon poultry farm has grown from 6,000 bird places to 22,000 in just eight months, and hopes its new modern unit will improve egg numbers and bird health. Clayewater…

LAYERS

Rearer's advice on getting pullets off to a good start

Modern hybrid hens are genetically sophisticated and achieving their productive potential will only be possible if the development period from chick to hen is carefully managed. Attention to detail is…

POULTRY

How a high-tech poultry unit is opening up to the public

If there is one criticism that can fairly be levelled at the commercial poultry sector in the UK, it is that engagement with its ultimate customer, the British public, can…

Practical advice

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POULTRY

Advice on cutting ammonia emissions on poultry farms

Agriculture accounts for 88% of the UK’s ammonia emissions, with the poultry sector responsible for 15% of the total, according to a report by Adas. High ammonia emissions can cause…

POULTRY

9 steps to cutting carbon emissions on poultry farms

The government has set a goal of achieving carbon net zero by 2050. But the NFU has set a more ambitious target of 2040 for agriculture. While the move towards…

POULTRY

How to calculate your poultry farm's carbon footprint

Growing pressure to reduce emissions means calculating a poultry unit’s carbon footprint is likely to become a requirement, according to Promar environmental consultant Luke Briggs.   As well as a…

POULTRY

4 pitfalls to avoid when upgrading poultry shed windows

Since 1 October 2020, all buildings that house poultry have had to fit windows to meet Red Tractor standards.  For many farmers, this means retrofitting units in order to comply.…

POULTRY

How to convert from colony to barn eggs and hit retail specs

Colony egg producers who supply major retailers are facing deadlines to convert to an alternative system, with barn the proposed value egg option. Morrisons supermarket has already switched to offer…

POULTRY

Where to invest when building or upgrading poultry units

What does it cost to create a state-of-the-art poultry unit? We ask one arable farmer-turned-poultrykeeper to break down the key investment areas for anyone who wants to overhaul part of…

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POULTRY

A guide to improving poultry shed insulation

Good insulation will keep poultry housing at an even temperature throughout the seasons, reducing heating and ventilation costs. However, older types of insulation may be less efficient due to outdated…

LAYERS

A poultrykeeper's guide to ground-source heat pumps

With farm carbon emissions under the spotlight and an increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture, many producers are moving away from fossil fuels. Ground-source heat pumps offer a good solution for…

PLANNING PERMISSION

Opposition and errors hamper poultry planning applications

Poultry farmers are finding it harder than ever to get planning applications for new buildings through the system. Local authorities are making too many mistakes in the planning process and…

LAYERS

How free-range layer multi-tier systems work

Free-range hens are increasingly reared on flat-deck systems before being transferred to multi-tier sheds when coming in to lay. One company argues there is a better way, as Jake Davies…

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