On Farm

Top results from Swedish roosting system

MULTI-TIER free range systems have come under the spotlight in recent months with some questioning if they represent too much of a deviation from conventional free range systems. Graham Cruickshank has taken a look at one system that is said to be a genuine alternative to current multi-tier systems yet offers similar advantages in terms of stocking density. But, according to Nigel Williams of organic egg specialists Kinsale Agriculture, that is where the similarities end.

Over three years ago Nigel invested in an Oli-free roosting system developed in Sweden and now marketed in the UK through Liberty Livestock Systems Ltd. Having put three flocks through he is convinced that the system offers the best alternative to conventional free range design while at the same time upholding the standards and perceptions that go with free range production.

The latest organic flock through the system, 2000 Bovans Goldline, were depleted in January at 72 weeks of age. The birds achieved a hen housed average of 307 eggs, despite not coming into lay until week 19. They peaked at 95.7 per cent in week 31 and held 90 per cent-plus for some 27 weeks. Average egg weight at depletion was 68.5 grams, overall seconds 7.5 per cent and liveability 94 per cent - despite the interest of some local foxes.

“We were extremely pleased with the Goldline performance, the birds exhibiting characteristics ideal for the organic and free range markets,” said Nigel.
But while Nigel has no doubts about the potential of the Goldline he firmly believes that some credit for their excellent performance is partly due to the positive benefits which the Oli-free system provides both in terms of ease of bird management and welfare.

The system is unique in that it provides a genuine 18cms of defined perching area for each bird. The roosting areas are provided by five platforms which run the length of the house at different heights. Each platform has a manure removal belt which is run once each week. Together with the unique ‘Blue Tube’ ventilation system the combination of manure removal and draft free ventilation ensures a virtually ammonia free environment.

Another feature is that unlike other multi-tier systems food and water are not offered at every level. Only the bottom three platforms and the floor area provide feeder and drinker space. The nesting area is also on one level adjacent to the bottom platform.

These simple features encourage bird movement within the house and, most importantly, result in the majority of birds getting out onto range. However, he does caution that in order for the system to work to its full advantage birds should be reared in an Oli-free type rearing arrangement.

“The non feeding/drinking roosting areas provide an undisturbed area for those birds wishing to go to roost early in the evening and for those who prefer a morning ‘perch in’,” explained Nigel.

Another advantage Nigel claims for the system is the ease of catching at depletion. He adjusts the photoperiod to coincide lights-out with the arrival of the collection vehicle thus ensuring that virtually all the birds are roosting on the top two platforms before catching commences. The birds can then be caught quite easily with the minimum of disturbance and stress. With the flock of Bovans Goldline depleted earlier this year when they came to catch, only 12 birds were on the floor!

SUPERB RESULTS FROM GOLDLINE

Bill Rhodes is from a mixed farming background. His father Jonas was an immense influence, even though he died when Bill was nine; Bill’s mother Margaret then brought up the six children and ran the family farm on her own. Like his father, Bill became a farmer, but chose to specialise in egg production. With a plot of land and a mobile home, he went down the usual routes in search of a loan, but the venture was considered ‘too high a risk’ and nobody would oblige. Nobody, that is, until Bill met Peter Cumbers, who was able to offer a finance scheme to purchase pullets from breed company ISA. The shed was home-made to keep costs down, with the result that it was fully equipped and ready for the flock at an unbelievable £7 per bird.

Bill is now on his ninth free range flock. Over the years he has tried a number of breeds. His first four flocks were ISA Brown, three of them from David Cannon. He then changed to Potters, who have supplied three flocks of Shavers, followed by two flocks of Goldline. The current flock of Goldline is now 55 weeks and is still at 93.4 per cent, which Bill describes as “staggering”. They have been over 90 per cent for 33 weeks, 21 of those weeks over 94 per cent, with 82 per cent large/extra large and only 2.5 per cent seconds. Not surprising, Bill’s next flock will also be Goldline and will again be supplied by Potters.

Bill will be very sorry to see his present flock go. “I gave them plenty of light and got them used to noise when they first arrived because I find that makes a more rangeable bird. They were delivered in July when it was very hot, so I covered the popholes with mesh and opened them up straight away to let the light in without letting the birds out.” Out on the range the chickens run to him and jump up when he kneels; they are always happy to see him when he walks round inside the unit, and they enjoy having loud music playing in the shed – Bill says they almost seem to be singing along! This is probably a result of being introduced to music by Potters at an early age.

Looking after the site on his own is a full day’s work and more: “I’m lucky that my long-suffering wife Liz is so understanding and supportive,” says Bill. His day starts at 6.30am with a walk round the shed to look for floor eggs and check all is in order. He then runs the egg belt to clear the bulk of the eggs, which takes until around 11am. The belt is run again in the late afternoon to clear the eggs from any late layers. Eggs are weighed daily on the farm to monitor egg weight and Bill has a timer on the feed intake auger, which cost very little to fit, and he finds this a great help as it enables him to check on feed intake. He is also constantly improving the range; he has laid a strip of wood chippings between the pop holes and the grassed area, and has recently replaced the plastic mesh on the covered shelters with evergreen branches, giving them a more rustic look that the chickens seem to like.

Those early days of living in a mobile home are long gone (now it’s a 4-bedroomed house), and in the intervening years Bill feels he has never stopped learning about chickens, partly through his own experience and partly through the advice and assistance he has received from people in the industry. He is especially grateful to Peter Cumbers, Jeffrey Vergerson of Deans Countryside and Ady Gray of ABN for their tremendous support over many years.