FEBRUARY 2020 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC New broiler barn boosts comfort for birds


New technology saves labour, improves efficiency


by DAVID SCHMIDT CHILLIWACK – After


growing chicken with “old” technology for the past 15 years, Bram Middelburg is looking forward to using “new” technology in the future.


He showed fellow growers that new technology during an open house at Middelburg Poultry in Chilliwack, January 3. It includes Danish- made Landmeco pan feeders and automated shutters on the Artex Monsoon fans. The key feature of the Landmeco pan feeders is the fact they can be cleaned without any disassembly. Made of rigid plastic, the feeders can be raised and tipped on their side, allowing the units to be spray-cleaned. The pipe turns with the feeders to prevent any cleaning solution from entering the feedline itself. “The system cost no more money and makes cleaning more pleasant,” Middelburg says.


The automated shutters on the fans are another handy feature. Rather than require an operator to manually open and shut the shutters during cold days (or leave them open and incur higher heating costs), the shutters


automatically open and close as the fans kick in and out. The new barn also features ceiling-mounted radiant heating which vents exhaust directly outside. Heat deflectors on the first half of each heating pipe ensure


Bram Middelburg of Chilliwack showed off his new broiler barn during an open house, January 3. The new Landmeco pan feeders at Middelburg Poultry in Chilliwack twist for easy cleaning. DAVID SCHMIDT PHOTOS


even heat distribution throughout the barn. “Radiant heating is nicer for


the birds and because the exhaust vents out, there are no fumes or excessive CO2 in the barn,” Middelburg states, claiming the entire system requires less labour and less energy while creating a “better environment for the


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birds.” Unlike his old barn,


Middelburg can monitor and control all the systems in the new barn on his cellphone. While it will allow him to retain control when “visiting friends,” he does not intend to reduce his time in the barn. “You still have to walk


through the barn to smell the


air and see the birds,” he stresses. “I generally walk through the barn four times a day and want to continue that.”


The new barn has a capacity of 20,000 birds


although Middelburg’s quota only numbers 11,500 birds. “In the short term, I will use leased and market development quota to fill the barn but I hope to add quota in the future,” he says.


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