WEEDEN SPRINKLER SYSTEM
VAL-CO, recently appointed as international distributors of the Weeden sprinkler will display the system on their Booth B10021. Weeden Sprinkler Systems was established in 1995 and has remained in the founder family after acquisition by Kevin Weeden in 2003.
The system is design to supplement conventional pad cooling during periods of high temperature. Sprinklers are installed at approximately 24’ intervals down the length of the house located in two rows 12’ from the side walls. The system is operated in conjunction with evaporative cooling pads that should be activated only when ambient temperature exceeds 88 Fº. The Weeden sprinkler system permits delaying the operation of cool cells reducing humidity in the house and saving water.
The Weeden control panel incorporates two separate time clocks to activate the sprinklers that stimulate movement of the flock and contribute to cooling of birds. Specific zones can be selected in the house to operate independently. This permits operation of sprinklers at a higher intensity at the exhaust end of the house where temperatures may be higher than at the air inlet end when houses are operated in tunnel mode. The controller can be pre-programed for flock age and temperature to conform to the biomass in the house and to respond to weather conditions.
Activating the sprinkler system promotes growth by stimulating birds to rise from recumbency on litter and to seek food and water. Droplets on the head and back plumage evaporate subject to adequate air movement, producing an external cooling effect.
Sprinkler intervals commence for a ten second duration at 30-minute intervals and can increase up to a 20-second cycle every seven minutes during extreme heat. At maximum duration of 20 seconds, each sprinkler operated at line pressure above 30psi releases 10 ounces of water covering an area of 500 sq. ft. Again, depending on the critical airflow, the system can release five gallons of water within a 25,000 sq. ft. house per 20 second cycle. Maintaining a high rate of evaporation limits litter moisture since droplets are converted to vapor that is exhausted from the house.
Coarse droplets from the Weeden sprinkler system are approximately 1mm in diameter and approximately 10 times the size of mist particles released by high-pressure foggers. Sprinklers are equipped with check valves to prevent dripping, and all sprinklers start and stop at the same time.
The Weeden sprinkler system has been evaluated by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Research and Extension. Studies have shown that relative humidity in houses is lower using the Weeden system compared to houses fitted with conventional pads that tend to be overused. This results in reduced water usage and drier litter. In a typical broiler house located in Mississippi, operation of the Weeden system resulted in a 64 percent reduction in water used to an average of approximately 9,000 gallons per cycle with a 5 percent reduction in average in-house humidity at the expense of a 3F increase in average summer temperature within the house. Stimulating feed, and water intake contributed to enhanced growth providing the grower with 0.16 cents per pound higher settlement value over two successive summer cycles compared to controls without Weeden Sprinklers.
The Weeden sprinkler system operated in accordance with recommended parameters in conjunction with evaporative cooling pads could enhance growth and return subject to maintaining appropriate longitudinal air movement through the house.
COMFORT NEST™
With an emphasis on breeder hatchability, increasing the proportion of nest-laid eggs and achieving clean shells are important objectives contributing to hatch and hence profitability. VAL-CO will demonstrate the Comfort Nest™ installation at the IPPE. The double-wide nests with a 19” wide entry are more attractive to hens than conventional single-hole nests, reducing floor eggs.
Eggs roll out gently onto a 5” wide polyethylene side-mounted belt with holes allowing ventilation and contributing to unsoiled eggshells. Nests are equipped with closers to allowing hens to exit nests but deterring re-entry. This reduces the occurrence of broody hens or low-ranked birds hiding in nests and soiling of pads by hens roosting in nests at night.
VAL-CO Comfort Nests are constructed with heavily galvanized steel including partitions. The system can be installed in houses up to 600’ in length.
The automated Comfort Nest™ system can be supplied with a VAL-CO egg collection table constructed from steel for optimal durability.
MACH 57™ SERIES FANS
Responding to the need for greater efficiency in ventilation, VAL-CO has introduced the MACH 57™ series designed for exterior mounting. Within the MACH 57™ range, VAL-CO offers the 50 HC models with either 1.5 or 2 HP rated at 32,000 cfm with 0.05" swp declining to 25,000 cfm at 0.20" swp. The 60 HC models range in displacement from 31,200 cfm to 34,100 cfm at 0.05" swp.
All fans are designed for optimal air speed and displacement and are fabricated from galvanized coated steel and constructed with corrosive resistant materials. The MACH 57™ range uses many common components in common with 54" VAL-CO fans to reduce inventory of spare parts.
The MACH 57™ fan is available with a compatible exterior mount with a cone and dampers. The unit is constructed of polypropylene and fiberglass for a long service life. The interior of the mount is coated black to reduce entry of light.
The MACH 57™ series fans can be supplied to operate with voltages ranging from 208 to 230v, 190 to 380v or 208 to 230/460v supply.
SRP® AUX INFRARED BROODERS
VAL-CO will feature SRP® infrared brooders designed for optimal chick comfort to promote growth. The AUX range offered in the U.S. comprises 20 ft. units rated at either 80,000 or 100,00 BTU/hr. SRP® series infrared tube heaters eliminate hot spots over litter and can be ordered with SMART Optizone controllers that allow decentralized zoning, remote monitoring, allowing changes in set points and alerts.
The 20 ft. long radiant tube heaters are endorsed by agricultural engineers affiliated with the UGA Extension Poultry Science Service based on their field evaluation based on even distribution of heat promoting regular distribution of chicks. Temperature variations at litter level are less than 10F in houses. Thermal imaging during brooding provided data supporting the litter-level temperatures located adjacent to outside feeder lines and inside drinker lines.
The University of Georgia extension specialists recommend installing two rows of 20 ft. heaters within 6 ft. of the outer feed lines lengthwise in the brooding area. This arrangement distributes heat evenly over the litter area closer to the sidewalls reducing litter moisture and places the tube heaters closest to incoming cold air from the sidewall inlets. This helps to counteract leakage of cold air through fissures in the sidewalls of older houses.
Further field trials are in progress to evaluate advantages from longer infrared radiant brooders with special reference to fuel consumption, evenness of the flock, feed consumption efficiency and settlement values for flocks.
FUZE® V GRILL-LESS FEEDER PANS AVAILABLE WITH ONCE ILLUMINATION
VAL-CO, will promote the combination of their FUZE feed pan LINES in association with ONCE by Signify Optient lighting. Synergy from the two systems will promote flock uniformity with optimal growth and yield.
The FUZE® V Grill-Less feed pan was designed in cooperation with leading growers. Objectives were to reduce chick mortality and to improve feed conversion efficiency. Features of the FUZE® V include:
- Access to feed in pans from day of placement
- An adjustable collar to regulate feed level according to flock age
- The lip of the pan is designed to prevent scratching and wastage
The Optient lighting system from ONCE by Signify is installed above the feed line to attract broilers of all ages in accordance with natural behavior. Field trials show an improvement in feed conversion of up to four points at the time of harvest. Energy consumption is reduced by up to 70 percent compared to conventional LED ceiling lights. Some growers use only the Optient installation after the end of the brooding period.
The modular LED lights are easy to install using a patented twist-and-hook arrangement.
VAL-CO has been appointed as the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Optient lighting system and can supply installations separately for retrofit or as a combined package.
Valli Baby Area Rearing Aviary
It is universally accepted that rearing aviaries should be compatible with housing of the flock after transfer. Manufacturers of alternative housing systems including Valli of Italy have conducted extensive research and development on brooding systems to ensure that flocks achieve maturity at a uniform weight and time so as to optimize peak and subsequent production.
The Valli Baby Area system will be displayed on the VAL-CO booth. The rearing aviary incorporates design features to facilitate management of replacement flocks. Chicks can be monitored after placement in a single tier. The front grills can be adjusted continuously from closure to complete opening to allow flocks to access litter. The external perches are adjustable in height to conform to the growth of the flock. The Valli Baby Area rearing system offers optimal use of floor space with appropriate positioning of the chain feeder and nipple drinker lines.
Valli offers a range of options with regard to the number of tiers and the flexibility inherent in the system allows retrofitting to existing houses sold, installed and serviced by VAL-CO.