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By Wiebe van der Sluis , Rooster 45, Doetinchem, the Netherlands

More than half a century ago chain feeders were the standard feeding system in poultry. The introduction of pan feeders made many poultry producers recognise the weakness of the chain feeder and replaced it. Some of the weaknesses could be changed rather quickly, but others remained until just a few years ago. Innovations possible due to the availability of new technology and material allowed manufacturers to fight back, and with success. The chain feeder never left the poultry industry. It remained popular in cage systems and over the years it has become a preferred system in parent stock and aviary housing.

In recent years an increasing number of broiler breeder growers have shown renewed interest in the chain feeder. That interest initially came from those who prefer a simple, open and affordable system which can easily be managed and cleaned. They discovered that the historical disadvantage of being labour demanding and causing uneven flocks, due to selective feed picking along the slow moving chain, did not exist any more.

Direct drive
The modern chain feeder can be elevated as easy as any pan feeder system and is able to distribute the feed at high speed at the desired amount. VDL Agrotech, one of the leading makers of chain feeders, initiated a number of improvements in their Chainovation program. At first sight the improvements seem to be marginal, but a closer look shows why the system deserves to be reconsidered as the feed distribution system in poultry.

In the past it was rather labour intensive to adjust chain feeders to the desired height during the production cycle of pullets and broilers. At clean out the whole system had to be dismantled for cleaning and reinstalled before the new flock came in. “Fortunately this is something of the past since the whole system was taken off the ground and suspended from the ceiling so it can be winched up at the required height during production and depopulation”, says Mari Beniers, product manager with VDL when pointing at a range of new features.

He experienced that users appreciate the chain feeder because it is an open system which is easy to clean, control and maintain. “Through introducing the direct motor drive principle the system has become more compact, requires less maintenance and is more energy efficient. A 35mm axle, connecting carrier wheels by means of safety dowel pins, allows a maximum power transfer to each of the chain circuits”, Beniers adds.

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