Silvan solves chicken-shed cleaning conundrum

In recent years, many contract poultry growing facilities have been set up across the country, some stretching out to several hundred metres in length.

After each batch of chickens is processed, operators remove the litter from the complexes using skid steer loaders or other similar vehicles.

A major internal clean-up usually follows to remove dust and disinfect the internal surfaces to ensure a clean facility for the next batch of chickens, usually involving a portable high-pressure water cleaner.

However, the time this process takes and the effectively of manual cleaning methods are both major issues faced by today's growers. Cleaning a shed manually could take up to a day and a half, depending on the size of the facility, while the results are often less than satisfactory.

Grandview Poultry based in Moolort in central Victoria is just one of many broiler chicken supplying businesses facing this problem, and has turned to spraying equipment manufacturer Silvan Australia for a custom solution.

Silvan's spraying specialist Chris Tait took up the challenge.

"The shed areas were often substantial in scale and provided good access for vehicles and spray equipment," he says.

"Almost always after each batch the water and automatic feeder lines could be removed or lifted up out of the way.

"Also the cleaning needed to take into account the complete internal areas of each grower shed, including all walls and roof spaces, and there were many spots that could be beyond the reach of manual cleaning."

To counter the problem, Tait says there needs to be a high volume of air to help drive the spray into all hidden areas of the sheds where dust could be trapped.

Silvan's engineers then proceeded to build a Silvan Stiletto 2000-litre capacity trailed spray tank, fitted with a custom-built Silvan Powerhead conveyor assembly modified to suit.

"Silvan also fitted the Powerhead assembly with multiple high-volume adjustable nozzles which deliver a very accurate penetrating spray that reaches into all the hard to get to places normally missed with manual cleaning methods within a large grower shed," says Tait.

The Powerhead comes equipped with several bottom wings on the conveyor as standard for targeted application.

Since using the custom sprayer, Grandview Poultry has seen a significant reduction in cleaning time from a day and a half to just half a day, with much better results compared to manual methods.

Silvan's custom-built Powerhead and adjustable nozzle option is now available to broiler chicken growers for their shed cleaning purposes.

Tank sizes available with the sprayer vary from 2000 litres to 4000 litres.

For more information contact Chris Tait from Silvan Australia on 0425 748 945 or email ctait@silvanaust.com.