Response to oustanding issues Animal Husbandry MCU12/0184

I

                                                                       MW A 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