FIRST EXPERIMENTAL PROTOTYPE OF A MECHANISM FOR POULTRY HARVESTING

Abstract

Recent study aimed to investigate the poultry harvesting period with engineering approach in an attempt to provide a mechanical prototype for moving poultry from the surface and convey it with belts technique to packing facility without any dangerous or injuries. The study also focused on determine some important dimensional, mechanical and physiological properties for birds under investigation to be as assistant data-bases in design, manufacture and test the proposed prototype. Research work was carried out at two poultry farms, farm of Agric. Fac., Cairo Univ., farm of El-Rabie Poultry Company. Proposed prototype’s dimensions were 210 (cm) length, 90 (cm) width and 100 (cm) high which fit with the entries dimensions of the farms and also able to work inside the houses and to deal with their obstacles. The general manual clearance rate for the crew (CRcrew) was approximately 1540 (bird/hour) and the general manual clearance rate for one man (CRman) was approximately 72 (bird/hour). The bucket’s maximum rate was 525 (bird/min) with respect to definite conditions which are the bucket stay in continues and constant forward movement and with full load condition, also the belt’s maximum rate was 480 (bird/min) with respect to same conditions. The actual packing rate was indicated by 1.5 (drawer/min) and the prototype’s actual overall rate was calculated by an average value of 1350 (bird/hour). The number of heartbeats for birds’ sample was measured in several situations; it was 42-55 (beat/min) before the manual harvesting process, 75-90 (beat/min) after the manual harvesting process and finally it was 69-85 (beat/min) after using the suggested automated prototype. The obvious result was the excellence of the automated method according to the physiological point of view which reflects small stress value. Finally, the overall prototype’s cost (operating and manufacturing cost) indicated by 6450 (LE) and finally the payback period of the investment cost was indicated by approximately 18 (month) depending on savings from labor.