Poultry

What makes the new cold plasma mite trap EX stand apart is its process which is complete devoid of additives or acaricides. (Image source: MIK INTERNATIONAL)

In collaboration with the Friedrich Loeffler Institute and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, MIK INTERNATIONAL GmbH & Co. KG presented its new product “Cold Plasma Mite Trap EX” for the first time at  EuroTier 2024 in Hanover

This system specifically focuses on controlling the red bird mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) in laying hen farms, and was honoured with a gold medal at the event. 

Red mites are one of the most common and economically important ectoparasites globally, with infestations causing massive damage to animal health and economy. Currently organic farming offers minimum options to control red mites, with the most common control method involving the use of acaricides. However, these cannot be used in excess due to the increased likelihood of developing resistance. 

What makes the new cold plasma mite trap EX stand apart is its process which is complete devoid of additives or acaricides. The process works by collecting and killing the mites and their brood in the mite trap. 

By generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma, which is created by dielectric barrier discharge, the mites are killed highly efficiently and reliably. This can be used highly efficiently against all developmental stages of the red mite. 

After each killing process, the mite trap is automatically cleaned. The complete system is operated with a mains voltage of 230V and consists of a switching unit and at least one mite trap. Currently, 80 “Mite-EX” mite traps can be operated per switching unit.

TARGAN brings AI-driven system WingScan to the European market. (Image source: TARGAN)

Animal AgTech company TARGAN, Inc. recently secured a new contract with IKO Kompania Drobiarska to install TARGAN's automated feather-sexing system, WingScan 

This collaboration debuted at EuroTier 2024 in Hannover, Germany this year, following which it demonstrated TARGAN's commitment to delivering innovative AI-powered solutions to poultry producing companies across Europe. 

Depending on configuration, the WingScan system offers a throughput of 40,000–160,000 chicks per hour, with up to 98% accuracy. Automated chick sexing enhances efficiency and performance, providing downstream benefits at both the farm and processing levels. By implementing gender-specific rearing strategies, producers can improve flock uniformity, ultimately optimising plant operations.

IKO's CEO, Zbigniew Idziaszek expressed pride in being one of the first companies in Europe to integrate WingScan into their hatchery, while looking forward to the positive impact as they continued to expand their operations. He also highlighted how TARGAN's system perfectly aligned with their goals of boosting efficiency, enhancing quality and improving welfare standards across all stages of production.

Viscon Hatchery Automation, TARGAN’s commercial distribution and service partner for WingScan across select European markets, was instrumental in facilitating the agreement with IKO. The European launch of WingScan reaffirms TARGAN’s commitment to advancing animal protein production globally by delivering scalable, next-generation automation that meets the increasing demands of the poultry industry.

Area Sales Manager, Tomasz Zimnicki mentioned that the collaboration provided a tremendous opportunity to meet the specific needs of the European market. "IKO is well-positioned to fully capitalise on the downstream benefits at every stage of production—from hatchery to farm to processing plant—maintaining a strong competitive edge. We are excited about the continued collaboration between TARGAN and Viscon and are fully prepared to provide the highest quality support and service as more customers adopt the WingScan system,” said Zimnicki. 

For poultry processors seeking to optimise their anatomic leg processing operations, ALPINE offers unparalleled efficiency, consistency and ease of use. (Image source: Marel)

Given the high demand for deboned leg meat, the Anatomic Leg Processor Innovative New Evolution (ALPINE) represents a significant leap forward in anatomic leg processing

By maintaining top-level performance while handling a wide range of weights and reducing labor dependency, ALPINE addresses processors' needs for increased production volumes while also maximising yield and quality. A number of advanced technologies such as the Hip Dislocation Wheel have been used to realise ALPINE's high performance. This unique feature allows for precise control of the hip tilting movement─needed to achieve an anatomical cut─without exerting excessive force or removing the leg from the shackle. It results in improved performance and virtually inexistent leg loss. 

In an attempt to further enhance accuracy and minimise errors, ALPINE incorporates advanced back piece separation and detection technology which prevents incorrectly cut legs. Optionally, processors can integrate a special module to remove groin skin automatically, meeting specific market demands while saving considerable manual trimming labour.

Easy operation

ALPINE is equipped with a user-friendly HMI touchscreen, making it easy to enter a recipe that matches the specific characteristics of the incoming flock. This automatically engages the proper machine settings to provide the highest possible leg yield. 

The screen also shows performance data, enabling processors to monitor key metrics such as backpiece detection, leg loss, and unprocessed legs. Built-in machine software provides this real-time and historical performance data. Such proactive insights minimise the need for manual intervention and prevent downtime. ALPINE’s data-driven approach enables processors to maintain peak performance with minimal need for maintenance.

Wide weight range with consistent results

Designed to process high-yield anatomic legs across an unprecedented range of bird weights without requiring major adjustments, ALPINE's versatility is valuable for processors handling diverse flock weights. This enables them to optimise operations even in big bird processing markets. 

Regardless of weight fluctuations, the result will always be consistent: a high-yield leg. Compatible with both water-chilled and air-chilled lines, ALPINE easily integrates into existing setups and pairs excellently with Marel's Thigh Fillet System, at a capacity of up to 7,200 products per hour.

Saving labour

Keeping legs within the shackles at all times enables ALPINE to practically eliminate product drops and minimise rework, downtime and labour. Digital operation, automated settings, reduced need for adjustments and precise performance monitoring further highlight its labor-saving advantages. Touchscreen control and the broad weight range further contribute to ALPINE’s efficiency, ease of use and consistently high yield.

The new FeedMixer App makes feed mixing easier by calculating whether the feed mixtures farmers use contain the right balance of key nutrients, by age, type of chickens, and available ingredients. (Image source: World Poultry Foundation)

In an attempt to make optimal poultry nutrition easier, while also helping farmers save money and improve profits, a free mobile app called the FeedMixer App was designed by poultry nutrition experts at the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia in the US

Rising commercial feed costs as well as limited grain supply is urging poultry farmers in Sub Saharan Africa and most regions around the world to self-mix their chicken feed. However, a majority of farmers lack adequate knowledge, causing them to fail at achieveing the right balance of grains, oils and other available ingredients needed to ensure optimal nutrition for different types of birds at different stages.

The new FeedMixer App, a relaunch of an older version of the app, makes feed mixing easier by calculating whether the feed mixtures farmers use contain the right balance of key nutrients, by age, type of chickens, and available ingredients.

Sean Chen, assistant professor/extension specialist at the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia highlighted how farmers are often unaware of the fact that the nutrient needs of chicken may vary depending on the stage of life they are currently in, which is why broilers and layers for example, would need to be fed differently. Selecting the appropriate feed components would therefore be essential for optimising bird health and productivity, while at the same time minimising resource wastage. 

"We feed various types of feed mixes to different breeds of birds because different breeds have distinct characteristics and purposes," said Chen. "For instance, broiler chickens are primarily raised for meat production. These chickens grow rapidly and require a diet supporting muscle development and efficient feed conversion into meat. Broiler chickens need feeds rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to ensure optimal growth and flavourful meat production. On the other hand, laying hens are specifically bred to produce a consistent supply of eggs. They require a different set of nutrients to support their reproductive system and the formation of solid eggshells. Their diet should include adequate proteins, vitamins, minerals, and calcium to support strong eggshell and egg production."

Maureen Stickel, director of the International Programme Development at the World Poultry Foundation also underscored how the app would help guide farmers who might have trouble accessing traditional feed ingredients such as soy or corn due to cost or local availability.

Users simply click on the type of chickens they are feeding, and select the ingredients they have available to them, such as maize, cassava, oil, bran, soybean meal, fish meal, and salt, in the proportions they intend to blend. The app will indicate whether their chosen feed mix delivers adequate energy, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to efficiently nourish the birds without wastage. Users can input the cost of the ingredients they use, to calculate whether their feed mix is cost effective, and they can save their own feed mix formulas in the app for future reference.

To make it convenient for users, the app is currently available in a number of languages including English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. It also offers useful content and resources such as preloaded feed mix examples for different types of birds, and diet guidelines for each breed and age of bird.