Big Dutchman NATURA® Systems Offer Flexibility and Optimal Return on Investment

The NATURA® Range

Big Dutchman’s NATURA® true aviary systems allow unrestricted access to all tiers, optimizing welfare, flock productivity, and yield of saleable eggs.

Concepts incorporated into the NATURA® range are based on satisfying the inherent needs of laying hens, including feeding, perching, social interaction, and security during lay. NATURA® aviaries support the genetic potential of flocks with respect to egg production and livability.  Maximizing saleable eggs per hen housed is attained by limiting floor eggs and by gentle transport from nests to graders.

All NATURA® systems incorporate:

• Tilting nests for maximum yield of salable eggs.
• Champion™ chain feeding with troughs designed to optimize feed conversion efficiency.
• Nipple lines positioned to encourage the use of nests.
• Stainless-steel legs and galvanized components for reduced maintenance, durability, and prolonged life.

NATURA® Step Aviary Systems

The Big Dutchman NATURA® Step and Step XL aviary systems are state-of-the-art installations designed to optimize flock production.

Both NATURA® Step configurations comprise a lower tier with feeding, floor access, and perch space; a middle tier equipped with nests and drinkers; and an upper tier with feeding and floor access.

Features include:

• Compact footprint to reduce capital investment.
• Design is compatible with retrofitting to existing buildings or new installations.
• The Step configuration incorporates platforms allowing hens to alight and turn for ease of access in moving up or down within the aviary.
• Access among all levels and to the aisles allows natural behaviors, including foraging, dust bathing, roosting, feeding, and provides security during egg-laying.
• The design of Big Dutchman NATURA® Step systems is compliant with both E.U. and U.S. welfare requirements.

• The Step XL model offers up to 26 percent more usable space for hens and is recommended for larger flocks. The XL model is equipped with dual egg collection belts, allowing for the accumulation of clean eggs between collection cycles.
• The top and bottom tiers of the NATURA® Step systems are equipped with polypropylene manure belts. Optional supplementary ventilation reduces the moisture content to achieve low levels of ammonia and eliminates flies.

NATURA® Nova Barn System

This multi-tier true aviary system offers flexibility and can be incorporated in either new single or multi-level buildings or retrofitted to existing barns. Each row is designed as a stand-alone structure.

Features include:

• Open access to all tiers to allow unrestricted flock movement and freedom from stress.
• An elevated walkway is integral to the system to facilitate inspection and management of the flock.
• Nests are located on two levels, allowing either direct access from the floor or “hop-up” entry.
• The NATURA® Nova Barn system is equipped with LED lighting and nipple drinkers with catch cups.
• A wide egg collection belt is installed on the upper tier based on preferential laying in nests positioned at a higher level.
• Structural integrity is incorporated in the design and construction, including the aligned posts.

NATURA® Visio System

This newly introduced two-tier system is designed with a low profile and is ideal for retrofitting.

Features include:

• Flexible configuration with integrated ramps to accommodate narrow aisles.
• Each tier is equipped with tilting floor nests in an alternate arrangement, allowing access by hens from either side of the system.
• Eggs are collected on two belts to avoid contact cracks.
• System-laid eggs roll to the belt beneath the nests.
• Dedicated areas for resting, perching, and feeding.
• Management facilitated by open design.
• Unrestricted flock movement and even distribution as the design incorporates the ‘step” concept with integrated ramps.

Nest Features

Big Dutchman layer nests contribute to optimal yield of salable eggs through the following features:

• Hens enter nests across a staging area equipped with a line of drinkers.
• Nests incorporate a patented tilting floor.  Before the nest commences the closing sequence, it is raised slightly in the center, allowing any eggs on the pad to roll towards the egg belt before the transition to the closing cycle.
• The nest floor is rotated during the closing, facilitating the removal of adherent dirt.  In the closed position, the flock is excluded from nests to prevent soiling and to reduce the incidence of “broody” hens.
• Egg collection belts are fabricated from polypropylene and will withstand high loading for prolonged functional life.

EggTrax™ Egg Transfer Unit

The EggTrax™ unit gently transitions eggs from the collection belt to the elevator or transfer conveyor, applying the following features:

• Plastic fingers with adjustable tension stabilize eggs as they transit, preventing contact cracks.
• The unit can be supplied with adjustable tension wires for additional stability of eggs.
• EggTrax™ incorporates a cleaning brush to remove debris from the egg belt.
• The transfer module can be easily removed from the installation for cleaning.
• Side doors allow for adjustment of roller tension.
• The standard EggTrax™ installation has a conveying speed of 13.1 feet per minute with drive widths ranging from 9.7 to 19.7 inches.
• EggTrax™ Ultra is recommended for row lengths of 520 to 690 feet. This module can be operated at conveying speeds of 24 feet per minute.
• The Ultra model has variable speed and reverse/stop motors available as options.
• Based on designed capacity, the EggTrax™ Ultra is engineered with additional bracing of the frame.

Big Dutchman design and application engineers cooperate with clients to select and design installations for either retrofits or new buildings and complexes.  Each project is unique, and the specifications and operating parameters established by the producer take into account flock size, availability and training of labor, climate, need for sustainability, welfare requirements, and desired return on investment.

Additional information, design layouts for retrofits or new houses are available from regional sales representatives or an authorized Big Dutchman distributor.