Ridgewood_12-002_PrelimOMP_110913

                                                                MWA Environmental




3.0 INTEGRATED SITE ACTIVITY
    3.1 POULTRY FARM OPERATIONS
     3.1.1    OVERVIEW

     The poultry farm will grow chickens from one day old at delivery to a target
     weights for market generally between 1.8kg and 3.8kg. This ‘batch’ process
     typically takes 55 to 59 days with birds being removed (‘catch-out’ or ‘thin-
     out’) several times between approximately 35 days and 59 days of age to
     cater to the target market. A farm will typically process 5 to 6 batches per
     year with a period of approximately two weeks between batches to allow for
     shed clean-out, maintenance and preparation.

     The preference of poultry processors is typically for all sheds at a farm to be
     stocked with new birds within a period of a few days to allow for efficiency
     by way of synchronisation of feed, catch-out and cleanout schedules. There
     is the potential to ‘stagger’ stocking of sheds to minimise the overall peak
     odour emissions from a farm (i.e. peak emission periods from all sheds do
     not coincide). However, this is typically a measure that may be considered
     as a corrective action in accordance with a Site-Based Environmental
     Management Plan in the event of a farm causing odour nuisance.

     Modern poultry sheds are mechanically ventilated with climate control
     provides by heaters and evaporative cooling pads. Walls are typically
     constructed of insulated panels and roof structures insulated.

     Automated feed systems transfer grain from the silos to trays within the
     sheds. Drinking systems are commonly ‘nipple drinkers’ to minimise
     spillage and associated moisture build-up in the shed bedding material
     (‘litter’).

     Litter can be replaced either completely at the end of each batch or partially
     reused (wet and heavily loaded litter removed and some litter reused).
     Typically, litter moisture content and odour emissions are more readily
     managed if fresh litter is used each batch but ultimately this is a function of
     the management of the farm.

     Typically a vertically integrated company (‘processor’) supplies the day old
     chicks, feed and medication then ultimately remove birds from the sheds
     and transport to processing facilities. The ‘grower’ / farmer is generally
     responsible for providing the infrastructure, supplying litter and managing
     the farm.

     Attachment 2 presents a diagram summarising the typical timing phases of
     the poultry batch cycle including the following inputs and outputs:




Ridgewood 12-002                        6                       11 September 2013