The AFRC mark I experimental broiler harvester

Abstract

Whilst improvements have been made over the last 15 years in the collection and transport of live broilers, a satisfactory mechanized system for harvesting birds has yet to be fully accepted by the industry. AFRC Engineering have investigated the mechanical harvesting of broilers, with the objectives of making the task of catching more acceptable to all concerned, reducing injury to the birds and improving animal welfare. A brief background to the nature of the broiler handling operation is presented. The limitations imposed by the design of existing houses and the behaviour of live broilers are discussed in the light of attempts to mechanize the handling operation. The development of machines based on a patented poultry harvesting assembly is followed from the initial concept of a two-rotor pick-up head to the final three-rotor sweeping head. The findings from trials on commercial sites are shown which indicate that the machine is capable of working at the required catching rate of 6000 birds/h, whilst being less stressful than conventional hand catching methods.