The Rijkers family increases efficiency with Polem horizontal floor silos

Challenges and analysis

The existing silos on the farm, especially those with hoppers, presented significant challenges. In humid weather, feed regularly got stuck and segregation occurred: the light and heavy parts of the compound feed separated, leading to unbalanced nutrition for the animals.

Added to this was the fact that a poultry farmer rarely purchases new silos, a decision you'd better get right the first time. The Rijkers family therefore wanted to be certain of a sustainable, robust solution that would save them work for years to come.

Solution and implementation

In close consultation with their trusted Polem dealer, they decided to install two horizontal floor silos of 70 m³ each, combined with a funnel-shaped silo for scratch grain. What makes these silos special is the robust discharge system with sweep auger. This prevents so-called bridging, where feed accumulates and blocks, and thus guarantees constant, smooth feed delivery.

Moreover, the silos were cleverly connected for optimal ventilation and equipped with load cells, allowing Harm Rijkers to always have real-time insight into feed levels via his mobile phone. Ideal when the bulk truck arrives unannounced earlier than expected.

Results

After more than a year of use, the results are crystal clear:

• No more segregation: the feed remains homogeneous, regardless of weather conditions.
• Feed always flows well: even during wet periods, flow remains constant.
• Labor convenience: less cleaning work and no disruptions in the feed system.
• Real-time insight via mobile app: better inventory management and more control.

The horizontal floor silos work perfectly. The feed never gets stuck and there's much less segregation, says Harm Rijkers.

Lessons learned

A smart investment requires sound advice, something where the collaboration with the Polem dealer clearly excelled. Additionally, the Rijkers family learned that small innovations, such as adding load cells and smart connections, make a world of difference in daily practice.

What also stood out: even when completely emptying the silos at the end of the laying round, everything goes smoothly. Only a minimal amount of residual feed needs to be removed manually.

Conclusion

With the deployment of Polem horizontal floor silos, the Rijkers family has significantly increased efficiency in their operation. No more feed loss, no blockages, and always visibility of inventory. The system perfectly aligns with their pursuit of labor convenience and maximum efficiency — and offers perspective for future expansions.

FAQ

1. Why did you choose horizontal floor silos instead of traditional hopper silos? We wanted to minimize the risk of segregation and bridging. Moreover, horizontal floor silos offer more stability in feed quality, regardless of weather.
2. How often do the silos need to be cleaned? Actually rarely. Only at the end of the laying round do we empty them completely. We manually shovel out the remaining layer, which goes quickly and without hassle.
3. What does the mobile weighing system concretely provide you? A lot of insight and convenience. We can always see remotely how much feed is still available. This prevents surprises and makes planning deliveries easier.
4. How was the collaboration with the Polem dealer? Very pleasant and professional. We received honest advice and they really thought along about what fits our operation and our way of working.
5. Would you recommend this solution to others? Absolutely. We now see the difference in labor convenience and feed quality daily. We would recommend that to every poultry farmer.

Contact

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