Virtual cage-free management classes overcome travel bans

Travel restrictions have prevented cage-free egg producers from accessing coaching. However, a solution to this was presented by Erika Prewitt, Big Dutchman aviary system specialist at the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention.

Meredith Johnson Headshot
Courtesy Big Dutchman
Courtesy Big Dutchman

Travel restrictions, due to COVID-19 and avian influenza, have prevented cage-free egg producers from accessing coaching. However, a solution to this was presented by Erika Prewitt, Big Dutchman aviary system specialist, who highlighted her new teaching aids at the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on March 23rd, 2022.

360˚ videos offering virtual barn tours that help producers learn what their cage-free systems should look like are available for egg farms free of charge. Produced by Big Dutchman, the videos offer views into each of its systems and can help teach new employees how to care for flocks appropriately.

These videos give a full 360˚ view of facilities and allow users to see all parts of the barn. Prewitt has been able to use the videos as a reference when talking to producers about lighting intensities and situations containing acceptable bird movement, amongst others.

Additionally, the videos have been helpful in teaching new employees about the system and for giving tips on how to care for flocks, she explained.

Topics covered include how staff should walk in barns, evaluating welfare, and mislaid eggs. The videos also focus on equipment, such as system doors, waterlines and drinkers, bottom system doors and feed and cocci paper.

In addition to highlighting here videos, Prewitt noted that in times of travel restrictions, when specialists cannot visit farms, thorough data collection and record keeping become particularly valuable as they will help in determining the cause of any problems that may arise.

Of particular importance are feeding and lighting schedules, number of feeds, feed times, light intensities measured with an LED meter, egg counts, number of floor or system eggs, and mortality levels.

“You can never have too much information,” she stated.

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