New free-range layer house

The Netherlands - Harm and Annemieke van de Beek-van den Berg have recently commissioned a new laying poultry house for 25,000 free-range chickens. In 2019, they took over the farm from Annemieke's parents, which at that time included 12,000 free-range chickens and 880 pigs. ‘Since our heart is really more with laying hens, we immediately applied for a permit to build a new laying hen house after the takeover and stopped keeping pigs,’ explains Annemieke.

The chickens are doing well and that brings a calm feeling

Chosen for Free-Range
"We opted for free-range because of our positive experiences with it. Given these numbers, it aligns well with our business," Harm explains. "Additionally, it's visually appealing for those passing by to see the chickens outdoors." When constructing the new barn, we utilized our existing land as a foundation, aiming to maximize its use for the laying hens. For the exit of the old house, we lease land from our neighbour. This arrangement ensures that all the chickens have access to the outdoors, and we've set everything up efficiently for the years to come."

Summer and Winter Climate
Harm: "We have chosen an ECO Unit, which is a new system for us, so we are still learning how to operate it effectively. The key is to maintain a good climate in the house when the popholes are open. Typically, we utilize equal pressure during the winter; however, in spring and summer, we find that negative pressure seems to perform slightly better. We're currently experimenting with this and with some adjustments, the climate is improving. We plan to implement additional changes, but those can only take place after this cycle when there are no chickens in the house for a while."

Being closer to the chicken, you feel a stronger sense of connection with it.

Good results
“Yet they have everything well managed already,” remarks laying poultry expert Martin Arts from de Heus. “The technical results are consistently good in both the old and new barns. The flock in the old barn is currently 75 weeks old and is still laying at 94.9%. Meanwhile, the younger flock in the new barn is now 41 weeks old and has maintained a continuous laying rate of 98.1% since week 26.”

Annemieke: "Absolutely, the technical results are impressive. We consistently automate this process, particularly during the initial weeks of the start-up. With the ability to track everything on our phones, we now monitor feed and water intake more frequently. The graphs in PoultryPlan provide us with a clear overview of the progress for each round, as well as the variations between the houses. Everything is running smoothly; the chickens are thriving, which brings a sense of peace."

 System
"In the old house, we had very spacious aisles. We aimed to replicate that in the new house, but given the layout and the number of birds, we opted for three rows of the Bolegg Terrace with narrower aisles. We were really excited about that," shares Annemieke. "However, it turned out wonderfully! You find yourself walking closer to the chickens, you feel a stronger sense of connection with it.” Plus, you can see the chickens moving more freely between the different systems. The house is taller and offers more volume, making it a pleasure to overlook the entire setup."

Indoor manure shed
Harm: "The new barn features an indoor manure shed, which eliminates the need for the manure belt to extend outside. This design minimizes outdoor dirt. Initially, the fans direct air into the manure shed, allowing dust to settle on the manure and the cleaner air then goes outside.

Nice work environment
“We briefly considered whether to use two packers, but ultimately decided on one, and I’m very pleased with that,” Annemieke shares. “The work environment is much more pleasant now. The eggs from the old house are now transported via a conveyor belt to the new egg room, which is spacious, nearly dust-free, and features large windows. This allows me to have a clear view of the yard and watch the hens outside. The centerbelt nest is also quite satisfying. There’s a sidebelt nest in the old house, and while collecting the eggs, the differences between the two systems are evident. Without a doubt, a centerbelt nest contributes to nicer eggs for the table.”

Everything can be combined well
"In terms of our farm operations, we are both capable of handling everything. Who takes on which tasks depends on the day's schedule," Harm explains. "In addition to managing our laying poultry farm, I run a mechanization business from home where I perform repairs, welding, and machinery maintenance for local companies. We also have three children—Suus, Gert, and Noor—who naturally need our attention. We've structured our work so that we can gather as a family three times a day. Although we may be busy, we are always present. Both of us grew up on a farm and have fond memories of it. We hope to provide the same experience for our children."

Plans for the future
“We are considering the future of our 45-year-old house. We haven't made a decision yet on whether to renovate, replace, or expand the new barn. Regardless, we don't anticipate needing to accommodate many more birds in the future. We are eager to continue running the business together. It’s truly enjoyable to share this journey as a couple,” the poultry farmers share.

This article previously appeared at de Heus Feeders.