Big Dutchman is offering a new, smart sensor for broiler feeding: the German poultry equipment supplier has integrated an LED lamp in its proven iDOL 29 sensor, which registers the feed level in the second to last feed pan. “Tests have shown that illuminated feed pans attract broilers,” explains Big Dutchman product manager Philipp Klomburg. Poultry managers can thus be sure that their flock empties the control pan, guaranteeing that the entire feed line will be refilled as required.
Big Dutchman innovation: iDOL 29 sensor for control pans now with integrated LED illumination
“Illuminated feed pans attract broilers”
“Farmers can easily configure the sensor settings, for example lighting duration or switch-off delay, using a smartphone app,” says Klomburg. An NFC chip integrated in the smartphone reads the data provided by iDOL 29.
NFC stands for “Near Field Communication”, a technology that is also used at supermarket checkouts. Similarly to a payment card, farmers can touch their smartphone to the sensor. This opens an app in which settings can be configured and transferred to all other control pans in the barn.
Existing systems are easy to retrofit. The sensor is connected to the translucent inner cylinder so no additional assembly work is required.
