Planning aids for the use of the NATURA Rearing System

Sections*

Bird area
(in m)

20
30
40
50

40.16
60.24
80.32
100.40

Endset MPF
+ aisle
(in m)

Endset MB** Total length with- House width(m)

7 to 9 m
+ aisle
out service room Number of rows
2
(in m)
(in m)
Passage width (m)*** 1.41 - 2.08
Age of birds when
moved out (weeks)
16
17

2.60
2.60
2.60
2.60

2.60
2.60
2.60
2.60

45.36
65.44
85.52
105.60

12048
18072
24096
30120

11245
16867
22490
28112

10 to 12 m
3
1.47 - 1.97

13 to 16 m
4
1.50 - 2.10

16

17

16

17

18072
27108
36144
45180

16867
25301
33734
42168

24096
36144
48192
60240

22490
33734
44979
56224

* Length of a section: 2008 mm

** MB = manure belt
*** all passages are of the same width
For rearing up to week 16, allow 150 birds/running metre of installation
For rearing up to week 17, allow 140 birds/running metre of installation

5
2

Key
NATURA Rearing section with fold-down perches
mobile NATURA catching technique
ramp = the pullets can easily approach the levels
bridge = facilitates driving birds into the system
drive unit for automatic folding up and down the perches (one drive per row)
exhaust air chimney with light plate
fresh air valve with light trap

Our recommendation
The better the individual elements of a rearing system
are adapted to each other, NATURA Rearing sections,
house climate, manure drying the better the overall

results will be. Please contact our experts for detailed

advice on all possibilities Big Dutchman can offer you
for your success in pullet rearing.

Asia
Big Dutchman Asia
No. 25, Jalan Pemberita (U1/49)
Temasya Industrial Park Section U1
40150 Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia
Tel. +60-3-556 923 20 Fax +60-3-556 958 30
e-mail: bdasia@bda.com.my
Germany
Big Dutchman International GmbH
Postfach 1163 49360 Vechta Germany
Tel. +49(0)4447-801-0
Fax +49(0)4447-801-237
E-Mail: big@bigdutchman.de

USA
Big Dutchman, Inc.
P.O. Box 1017 Holland, MI 49422-1017 USA
Tel. +1-616-392 59 81
Fax +1-616-392 61 88
e-mail: bigd@bigdutchmanusa.com

Technical details subject to change. e 8/2002

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

NATURA-Rearing
The modern multi-level system
for pullet rearing

NATURA Rearing System the professional multi-level system perfected for the rearing of healthy, vital and uniform pullets
The three-level NATURA Rearing System is offered by
Big Dutchman to ensure only the best prerequisites for a
smooth transition of pullets from the rearing to the laying
system. The intensive training of the birds from day-old
onwards is vital to the easy adaptation of the hens when
they are moved into the laying system.
The lower and central levels of the NATURA Rearing
System are equipped with feeding and drinker lines. The
top level of the system is designed as resting area since
pullets are naturally drawn to use the highest place at
night. To encourage this natural behaviour, the lights are
switched off in the lower and central levels sooner than
in the top level, thus creating a simulated sunset.

Housing the chicks

In the morning, the pullets have to move to the lower

levels to feed. The position of the perches opposite the
system makes it easy for the pullets to become familiar
with the entire interior of the house. The enforced movement between the resting area and the other levels trains
the pullets to adopt a uniform behaviour. At night, however, the perches are automatically folded down so that
the pullets stay in the system for the night from the start.
The manure thus drops on the manure belt and not into
the passage area. Advantage: less ammonia emissions and
improved hygiene in the house.

Technically detailed solutions with important advantages for the breeder

special approach rail design
(patent no. 299 19 443.4) forces
pullets to perch facing the
passageway
=> 70% less manure in the passages

Opening the rearing level

top level bottom wires are

1 x 1.5
=> good self-cleaning effect

bottom wires of the rearing level

are 3/4 x 3/4 or made of plastic
=> secure foothold for the chicks

The day-old chicks are housed in the central level for

approx. 21 days. They have feed and water in their
immediate environment and become very familiar
with their surroundings. In order to give them more
room to move, 50 % of the birds can be transferred
to the lower level after approx. 10 days. Advantage:
During the first 10 days, an even temperature level can
be maintained in the central level resulting in the even
distribution of the chicks and a good start of all birds.

During these 21 days, the cage fronts are closed. For

control purposes, the upper third of the cage front
can easily be folded up to the inside underneath the
manure belt. Advantage: good monitoring and optimum
access for the producer, better animal control.

trough and nipple drinkers are

protected from soiling
by means of a tube above the
trough and nipple drinker,
additionally used as perch
and a roof-shaped rail above
the nipple drinkers
=> improved bird health

the divided cage front can be

folded up and remains in the
system during the entire batch
=> savings in time and labour

air duct
=> optimum manure drying
=> low ammonia emissions
=> consistent climate
=> additional oxygen supply to the
day-old chicks (especially in winter
with minimum ventilation)

bottom wires of the lower level

consist of plastic slats, but are
more often made of 1 x 1 wire
=> at the end of the rearing
period, the litter can be put
directly onto the manure belt
=> birds can be moved out quickly
and carefully by means of containers
which can be driven into the house (if
perches are folded down and
passages are at least 1.05 m
(3.5 ft) wide)
automatic fold-down perches
=> easy reach of the individual levels
=> at night, the perches are folded down =
no manure in the passage
=> efficient use of the house surface = high
stocking densities
=> for inspection, the perches are folded
down = better monitoring
=> contrary to systems with platforms, no manure
accumulation occurs underneath the perches

During week 4, the rearing level is opened up and

the pullets move freely throughout the entire house
learning to jump and fly. By the time the pullets are
transferred to the laying system during week 16,
they are well trained and comfortable using the
different facilities (feeding, scratching, resting area).
Advantage: Little additional training is necessary as
the basic design of the house for the rearing and
laying systems is basically identical. Only the laying
nests are new.
The mobile NATURA catching technique allows
the house to be divided
into smaller areas, socalled locks. The pullets
are driven into this lock,
so that the producer can
simply catch, inspect or
vaccinate the birds and
release them through the
door. Advantage: Healthier
pullets. Less work and
time needed. 100 %
successful vaccinations.

NATURA Rearing System the professional multi-level system perfected for the rearing of healthy, vital and uniform pullets
The three-level NATURA Rearing System is offered by
Big Dutchman to ensure only the best prerequisites for a
smooth transition of pullets from the rearing to the laying
system. The intensive training of the birds from day-old
onwards is vital to the easy adaptation of the hens when
they are moved into the laying system.
The lower and central levels of the NATURA Rearing
System are equipped with feeding and drinker lines. The
top level of the system is designed as resting area since
pullets are naturally drawn to use the highest place at
night. To encourage this natural behaviour, the lights are
switched off in the lower and central levels sooner than
in the top level, thus creating a simulated sunset.

Housing the chicks

In the morning, the pullets have to move to the lower

levels to feed. The position of the perches opposite the
system makes it easy for the pullets to become familiar
with the entire interior of the house. The enforced movement between the resting area and the other levels trains
the pullets to adopt a uniform behaviour. At night, however, the perches are automatically folded down so that
the pullets stay in the system for the night from the start.
The manure thus drops on the manure belt and not into
the passage area. Advantage: less ammonia emissions and
improved hygiene in the house.

Technically detailed solutions with important advantages for the breeder

special approach rail design
(patent no. 299 19 443.4) forces
pullets to perch facing the
passageway
=> 70% less manure in the passages

Opening the rearing level

top level bottom wires are

1 x 1.5
=> good self-cleaning effect

bottom wires of the rearing level

are 3/4 x 3/4 or made of plastic
=> secure foothold for the chicks

The day-old chicks are housed in the central level for

approx. 21 days. They have feed and water in their
immediate environment and become very familiar
with their surroundings. In order to give them more
room to move, 50 % of the birds can be transferred
to the lower level after approx. 10 days. Advantage:
During the first 10 days, an even temperature level can
be maintained in the central level resulting in the even
distribution of the chicks and a good start of all birds.

During these 21 days, the cage fronts are closed. For

control purposes, the upper third of the cage front
can easily be folded up to the inside underneath the
manure belt. Advantage: good monitoring and optimum
access for the producer, better animal control.

trough and nipple drinkers are

protected from soiling
by means of a tube above the
trough and nipple drinker,
additionally used as perch
and a roof-shaped rail above
the nipple drinkers
=> improved bird health

the divided cage front can be

folded up and remains in the
system during the entire batch
=> savings in time and labour

air duct
=> optimum manure drying
=> low ammonia emissions
=> consistent climate
=> additional oxygen supply to the
day-old chicks (especially in winter
with minimum ventilation)

bottom wires of the lower level

consist of plastic slats, but are
more often made of 1 x 1 wire
=> at the end of the rearing
period, the litter can be put
directly onto the manure belt
=> birds can be moved out quickly
and carefully by means of containers
which can be driven into the house (if
perches are folded down and
passages are at least 1.05 m
(3.5 ft) wide)
automatic fold-down perches
=> easy reach of the individual levels
=> at night, the perches are folded down =
no manure in the passage
=> efficient use of the house surface = high
stocking densities
=> for inspection, the perches are folded
down = better monitoring
=> contrary to systems with platforms, no manure
accumulation occurs underneath the perches

During week 4, the rearing level is opened up and

the pullets move freely throughout the entire house
learning to jump and fly. By the time the pullets are
transferred to the laying system during week 16,
they are well trained and comfortable using the
different facilities (feeding, scratching, resting area).
Advantage: Little additional training is necessary as
the basic design of the house for the rearing and
laying systems is basically identical. Only the laying
nests are new.
The mobile NATURA catching technique allows
the house to be divided
into smaller areas, socalled locks. The pullets
are driven into this lock,
so that the producer can
simply catch, inspect or
vaccinate the birds and
release them through the
door. Advantage: Healthier
pullets. Less work and
time needed. 100 %
successful vaccinations.

Planning aids for the use of the NATURA Rearing System

Sections*

Bird area
(in m)

20
30
40
50

40.16
60.24
80.32
100.40

Endset MPF
+ aisle
(in m)

Endset MB** Total length with- House width(m)

7 to 9 m
+ aisle
out service room Number of rows
2
(in m)
(in m)
Passage width (m)*** 1.41 - 2.08
Age of birds when
moved out (weeks)
16
17

2.60
2.60
2.60
2.60

2.60
2.60
2.60
2.60

45.36
65.44
85.52
105.60

12048
18072
24096
30120

11245
16867
22490
28112

10 to 12 m
3
1.47 - 1.97

13 to 16 m
4
1.50 - 2.10

16

17

16

17

18072
27108
36144
45180

16867
25301
33734
42168

24096
36144
48192
60240

22490
33734
44979
56224

* Length of a section: 2008 mm

** MB = manure belt
*** all passages are of the same width
For rearing up to week 16, allow 150 birds/running metre of installation
For rearing up to week 17, allow 140 birds/running metre of installation

5
2

Key
NATURA Rearing section with fold-down perches
mobile NATURA catching technique
ramp = the pullets can easily approach the levels
bridge = facilitates driving birds into the system
drive unit for automatic folding up and down the perches (one drive per row)
exhaust air chimney with light plate
fresh air valve with light trap

Our recommendation
The better the individual elements of a rearing system
are adapted to each other, NATURA Rearing sections,
house climate, manure drying the better the overall

results will be. Please contact our experts for detailed

advice on all possibilities Big Dutchman can offer you
for your success in pullet rearing.

Asia
Big Dutchman Asia
No. 25, Jalan Pemberita (U1/49)
Temasya Industrial Park Section U1
40150 Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia
Tel. +60-3-556 923 20 Fax +60-3-556 958 30
e-mail: bdasia@bda.com.my
Germany
Big Dutchman International GmbH
Postfach 1163 49360 Vechta Germany
Tel. +49(0)4447-801-0
Fax +49(0)4447-801-237
E-Mail: big@bigdutchman.de

USA
Big Dutchman, Inc.
P.O. Box 1017 Holland, MI 49422-1017 USA
Tel. +1-616-392 59 81
Fax +1-616-392 61 88
e-mail: bigd@bigdutchmanusa.com

Technical details subject to change. e 8/2002

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

NATURA-Rearing
The modern multi-level system
for pullet rearing