Managing a poultry farm has become significantly more challenging than it once was. A significant challenge for farm owners is finding enough individuals to manage all the daily tasks. Recently, the problem has become more severe, and many farms struggle to maintain up-to-date egg supplies. A positive aspect is that technology provides solutions to overcome this problem.
Automatic egg collecting systems are bringing new changes to poultry farming. With these new machines, less effort is needed from many workers over long hours every day. It is time to explain how these systems operate and how they have become fundamental to poultry businesses.
Farm workers used to face numerous challenges, but it is now tough to recruit such workers. Many people seeking office jobs are relocating from rural areas to cities. Since salaries in farming are often much lower than in other industries, it makes it very hard to hire dedicated workers.
Manually collecting eggs is the job on a poultry farm that takes the most time. Workers must move between chicken cage rows to collect eggs and place them in containers multiple times daily to ensure freshness and prevent spoilage or contamination.
If farms lack sufficient workers, several difficulties arise. If the eggs are not collected in time, they may get damaged or become soiled and are no longer sellable. Because not all eggs are counted, some are missed, resulting in lost profits. Farm owners are often required to work extra, which can cause excessive stress and burnout.
An automatic egg collection system operates like a tireless robot that never rests. These systems rely on conveyors, innovative technology, and sensors to handle the eggs without requiring human intervention.
It is straightforward but very well thought out. A hen’s egg is automatically rolled onto a special conveyor at the back of her cage by the egg-laying machine. The belt slowly carries the egg to a simple collection area. Each egg is checked with sensors throughout to see if it is in good condition. The machinery quickly sorts away dirty or broken eggs. Then, the eggs head through more conveyor belts to a sorting area, where they are divided into groups. Every part of the process runs smoothly from a distance, and no one needs to handle the individual eggs or enter the chicken houses.
Collecting without a machine takes much more time than collecting eggs with a machine. Previously, a farm required five staff members to work for 4 hours a day, but now it might be sufficient for only one person to oversee the automated egg collection. The daily labor hours have come down from 20 to about two or three. Workers have more time to attend to chicken health, maintain equipment in good condition, and enhance the overall operation of the farm. Instead, workers now have time to do essential tasks that robots cannot handle alone.
Running automatic systems consistently is another significant benefit of using them. They operate in the same manner every single day. They never miss work, even when they are sick, and they never have a down day. Because the eggs are collected at the same time each day, quality remains good, and the chickens experience less stress.
There is considerable physical hardship associated with farm work. Spending long hours in chicken houses, bending down to collect eggs, and moving heavy loaders can injure your back. Due to automatic systems, the body does not have to undergo as much strain as it did before.
The work environment has improved significantly because people are no longer confined to dusty and smelly chicken houses all day. They can instead work in sanitized places, typically in areas with controlled climate for packing shipments.
As a result, potential workers are more interested, and employees who want to stay are more likely to do so. Farms can hire more people because the egg collection process is now less demanding physically. It also allows more people, such as seniors or individuals with disabilities, to apply for jobs.
If people gather eggs manually, it is easy for them to damage or roughly handle them accidentally. Eggs are treated with great care by automatic systems, so they break less frequently and remain in prime condition. They reduce the likelihood of contamination. Germs found on hands can easily be transmitted to the eggs. Having robots collect the eggs minimizes the number of hands on them, so they stay cleaner and safer to eat.
Automatic egg collection at the same time helps keep the eggs from aging quickly. Keeping eggs in the nest for an extended period can cause them to become dirty or develop quality issues. Routine egg collection on automatic systems ensures the eggs stay fresh and clean throughout the day.
Although installing an automatic egg collection system is expensive, it typically yields a return on investment within a short period. As wages continue to rise and finding workers becomes more challenging, saving on labor costs adds up quickly.
Having fewer broken or damaged eggs on farms also saves money. When machines handle eggs with greater care, there are fewer cases of damaged eggs reaching the market. Each hen on the farm will produce more income for the farm. With fewer staff required, firms can keep employee costs, benefits, and training down. Farmers save time dealing with employees and can put that time into growing the business.
Such systems now have advanced intelligence compared to what they used to be. The latest models can follow eggs one by one, observe how chickens behave, and detect when the system requires maintenance. Some systems can interact with smartphones and computers, allowing farm owners to oversee their farms remotely. As technology improves and prices fall, such systems can be utilized by even small farms. Therefore, both small and large businesses can use fewer workers and operate more efficiently.
There is no sign that the problem of labor shortages in agriculture will be solved anytime soon. Places that start using automated technology today will be better equipped to meet the future with greater readiness. They will be able to do better in the market and offer secure work to their employees.
Using automatic egg collection systems is a smart answer to a problem many poultry farms have today. With reduced labor, improved working conditions, and top-quality eggs, these systems enable farms to thrive and succeed in a challenging egg market. For those in farming unable to hire enough workers, making their farms more automated could help achieve lasting success.
