Harm Rijkers has been working with two Polem flat bottom silos since July 2021. After a year he shared his experiences: “The flat-bottomed silos are great. The feed never gets stuck and there is much less segregation.”
On the farms of the Rijkers family from Vessem in the Netherlands, there are various silos near the pig and laying hen houses. At the end of 2020, they set up their two-storey barn for one star Better Life hens. In consultation with the supplier, Rijkers opted for the Polem flat bottom silos. “Most of our silos are Polem silos with hoppers. The food can sometimes linger there, especially in humid weather. We have now experienced both summer and winter with the new silos and feeding is going great; no segregation and the feed runs smoothly.”
Rijkers installed two flat bottom silos of 70 m³ each and a classic funnel-shaped silo for grit at the new barn. Harm Rijkers indicates that he mainly followed the advice of his Polem dealer. “As a poultry farmer you don't often buy a silo. After all, they last for years.”
Robust turn-out system
During feeding, the feed flow is constant through the discharge system with the sweep conveyer so that bridging is prevented. The feed does not separate and the discharge system ensures that feed that enters the silo first, also flows out first.
At the end of the laying round, the silo must be completely emptied. “The manhole is next to the conveyer. The sweeping conveyer goes flat over the floor there. We will then have to scoop out the bottom layer. I don't expect any problems with it," says Harm Rijkers.
Out of sight
The silos are interconnected for good ventilation. “We had weigh bars installed under it. I can see how much food is left in my mobile. If the bulk truck is a bit earlier, I quickly check whether the feed fits in it.”
The two flat-bottomed silos are placed behind the egg room next to the barn. “We like the look of the company better without the silos in the foreground. The disadvantage is that the driver of the feed truck cannot reach the silos directly. With the air cleaner system, he doesn't have to use a dust bag," says Harm Rijkers. With this volume he can order full trucks of feed and receive the maximum discount.
Rijkers is very satisfied with the new barn. “We have invested in all aspects of ease of work and efficiency. The flat bottom silos are part of that.”