Robic family releases laying hens to range freely

Brittany: welfare aviary for free range egg production replaces enriched cages

12/06/2024

Dominique Bazin (Pier Services, left) and egg producer Sébastien Robic in the new aviary house. / Photo: Nicolas Goualan

From the laying battery to enriched cages to a multi-tier aviary system: Marie and Sébastien Robic’s farm in the French commune of Réguiny embodies the profound change in management systems that many egg farmers in the EU are still going through today. The original cage house, erected in 2003, was converted for use with enriched colony systems for a while. Recently, it has been equipped with the welfare-friendly Natura Step XL aviary system from Big Dutchman, allowing the hens to use an open run during the day.

The switch to free range egg production required changes to the ventilation system. Fumus fresh air chimneys from Big Dutchman now ensure the ideal house climate during any season.

French trade magazine Le Paysan Breton wrote an extensive report about the project!

The barn houses 27,100 hens, is 22.5 metres wide and 70 metres long; an additional 7.5 metres were added to the width as part of the conversion. “With this wider building, we were able to add another aviary row for more profitability,” explains Robic in an article in French magazine Payson Breton.

Free range egg production for more animal welfare

[Translate to English:] Der Außenbereich für die Freilandhaltung ist bepflanzt und vorbereitet. / Foto : Nicolas Goualan

The Robic couple were able to purchase and lease land adjacent to the house so the laying hens can now use a total area of 11 hectares to go outside. The couple focuses on meeting society demands for a ban of cages and more animal welfare.

During the planning phase, it quickly became obvious that the old ventilation system would have to be changed in the converted house. “We knew that cross ventilation would not be enough. We needed an additional ventilation option without having to change the entire system,” remembers Sébastian Robic in the Paysan Breton article.

Fumus fresh air chimney

[Translate to English:] Zehn Fumuskamine leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zu einem gesunden Stallklima / Foto: Nicolas Goualan

The solution are 10 Fumus fresh air chimneys that are installed on the roof and that work as follows:

A fan integrated in the chimney’s lower part pushes the fresh air drawn in from the outside through the fresh air distributor and into the house. When the butterfly valve is in vertical position, up to 100 % fresh air enter the house; when the valve is horizontal, up to 100 % is recirculated air. In all other positions, the fresh air drawn in through a 10 centimetre wide gap is mixed with the inside air. This allows the farmer to work with fresh air, recirculated air or mixed air, as required.

Benefits:

the interior of the house is well-ventilated thanks to the large throwing range;
mixed air creates a constant warm breeze;
when temperatures are low, the airflow guarantees ideal air distribution, irrespective of the ventilation level.

Natura Step XL for free range egg production and barn egg production

[Translate to English:] Die Natura Step XL eignet sich nur für die Freilandhaltung von Legehennen, sondern findet auch in der Bodenhaltung Verwendung. / Foto : Nicolas Goualan

[Translate to English:] Die Hühner nutzen den Stallboden zum Scharren und Picken. / Foto: Nicolas Goualan

Poultry equipment supplier Big Dutchman has more than 35 years of experience with aviary systems. A wide range of aviaries has since been developed – including Natura Step XL, one of the most popular of more than 30 aviary systems.

Benefits:

a large usable area ensures good utilisation of the house surface;
tiers of different widths create a stepped design in which all functional areas are easy to reach;
both the staff and the birds can easily reach the nest.

Pier Services SAS

Distributor Pier Services SAS, located in Le Crouais (Brittany, France), was responsible for realising the project.

Right this way to take a look at Natura Step XL! ➡️

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