Horizontal floor silos eliminate bridging at laying hen farm

Challenges and analysis

During the construction of their new facility on Peelweg, one thing was clear: feed management had to be both practical and reliable. Segregation of layer feed – where lighter and heavier components separate – is a known problem with conventional silos. This often leads to bridging, blockages, and extra work. Moreover, the company had to meet strict hygiene requirements such as those for vlog/non-GMO production, where regular cleaning of silos is mandatory.

Solution and implementation

The choice for Polem's horizontal floor silos was quickly made by Styn and Peter. On the first drawings of the new facility, the silos were already included: two horizontal floor silos of 60 m³ each, good for 40 tons of layer feed per unit. These are equipped with a manhole above the discharge point and a PVC ventilation pipe.

The biggest advantage of Polem's horizontal floor silo is that they prevent segregation. It's a proven technique. We feed meal feed which can cause bridging, but with these silos we have no problems with that whatsoever. As a poultry farmer, you have less work thanks to these silos. – Styn Claessens

Results

Thanks to Polem's horizontal floor silos, the poultry farmers can always unload a full bulk truck and completely empty the silos. The feed flows evenly, without bridging. The manhole above the discharge point makes maintenance simple and ensures operational security during technical malfunctions. Moreover, the whole setup also radiates calm and professionalism.

That was also one of our arguments, the appearance and look of the horizontal floor silos. Peter and I both think they're beautiful. – Styn Claessens

Lessons learned

The collaboration with Polem confirmed for Yverde the importance of well-thought-out choices made in advance. Technical reliability, ease of maintenance, and appearance can perfectly go together. Experience teaches that investing in proven techniques pays off – not only in efficiency, but also in peace of mind.

Conclusion

Yverde shows that smart technical choices have a direct impact on daily operations and on the company's image. Polem's horizontal floor silos deliver concrete added value by preventing segregation, saving work, and enabling simple maintenance – all with an appearance that fits the name: green.

FAQ

1. What is the biggest advantage of a horizontal floor silo compared to a traditional cone silo? A horizontal floor silo prevents the feed from separating into different components. This keeps feed quality consistent and prevents bridging, which prevents malfunctions and extra work.
2. Why is a manhole above the discharge point important? The manhole makes it possible to easily access the feed discharge point during malfunctions. This increases operational security and makes maintenance and cleaning much easier.
3. How does a horizontal floor silo help meet vlog/non-GMO requirements? In vlog/non-GMO production, the silo must be cleaned every round. Thanks to the manhole and horizontal floor, this goes faster, safer, and more thoroughly than with many other silos.
4. Is the appearance of a silo really that important? For Yverde, yes. The green color fits their brand identity, and the well-maintained appearance contributes to their image. In a sector where consumers are becoming increasingly critical, appearance is a smart investment.
5. What if the auger in the silo breaks? Then the poultry farmers can still manually take over the feed via the manhole. These kinds of small details make a big difference in daily practice.

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