Assistive Technology and Workplace Modifications for Poultry Growers with Disabilities

Modified Golf Cart:

A less expensive option than the farm utility vehicle is a typical golf cart that can be modified to include ag tires and a rear dump bed for hauling. Golf carts tend to be lower to the ground than farm utility vehicles restricting their use to locations with relatively smooth terrain. However, some growers feel they can slide onto a golf cart seat easier and with less pain because of its low frame compared to higher vehicles. Golf carts are usually powered by rechargeable batteries that have a lower lifespan than a vehicle powered by a diesel or gas engine.

Examples of modified golf carts with rear beds.

Reduction of Visits to the Poultry House

Some growers may benefit from equipment that reduces the number of trips to the poultry houses yet still allows them to monitor poultry house conditions from their home.

Phone Alarm Systems:

A phone dialing alarm system is standard equipment in new poultry house construction. However, many growers have older poultry houses without updated alarm systems. This requires frequent trips to inspect houses just to guard against a serious equipment malfunction that could be costly and/or cause catastrophic bird loss.

Typical phone alarm system.

Remote Access of Electronic Controllers:

Many growers have already invested in electronic controllers to monitor and control nearly the entire operation of their poultry houses. Controller manufacturers have realized the advantages of convenient remote monitoring and have produced communications software that will allow growers to access the controllers as if they were there at the poultry house.

Most systems require a phone line modem and a computer with monitor at your remote location such as your office. Depending on a grower’s actual situation, communications can be accomplished by an actual wire line between a poultry house and residence or between a modem and computer in the poultry house pump room and another computer and modem at the residence. There are other exciting developments in the controller remote access area such as personal digital assistants or cell phones to access house controllers. Extension personnel can help determine which systems will work for you.

In-House Mobility

Growers must walk around their houses several times a day to check birds and equipment and remove dead birds. Many growers need assistance inside poultry housing when crossing equipment such as drinker lines that have become an obstacle.

Lower Migration Fences:

Migration fences are used to keep poultry properly distributed and are especially important in tunnel ventilated housing. There are a variety of fences and other devices used to contain poultry. Migration fences are often too high for growers to step over easily and gates may not be in close proximity to them. While walking to a gate might not be difficult for some growers, for those with mobility difficulty the extra steps involved are stressful. Using 8-inch diameter plastic drain piping as a migration fence makes it easier for a grower to traverse than a higher fence of wire on a frame.

Using 8-inch diameter plastic drain tubing as a migration fence.

Creating Additional Breaks in Drinker Lines:

In many poultry houses that are 400 or 500 ft. long, it is common to find drinker lines that are 200 ft. long. Stepping over raised drinker lines is very difficult for many growers, especially when they are trying to remove large dead birds. Breaking long drinker lines into shorter sections creates alley ways for growers to carry dead birds to the side of the house without crossing drinker lines or having to walk hundreds of feet. Creating additional sections of drinker lines means additional pressure regulators to check; however, this can be addressed by installing a central pressure controller where all drinker lines can be adjusted at a single location.

Creating Additional Bird Disposal Doors:

A series of small insulated doors, similar to the doors sometimes used in homes to let dogs and cats outdoors, can be installed along the side wall to reduce the distance a grower must carry dead birds. The doors allow dead birds to be placed outside the house where a grower can pick them up with a farm utility vehicle or a tractor with bucket for transport to the disposal site. These doors are especially helpful in newer houses which tend to be wider and have fewer "litter doors."

Small doors in a sidewall can reduce the distance a grower must carry dead birds.

Dead Bird Conveyor:

Dead birds are difficult to carry and remove from a house, especially heavier, birds. A conveyor system can carry birds to the end of the house where they can fall into a tractor bucket or other transport device to be carried to a composter or incinerator.

Dead birds are carried to end of house by a conveyor.

Using Large Pneumatic Tires on Litter Treatment Spreaders

Litter treatment products are typically spread in houses prior to chick placement. Using a common lawn fertilizer spreader with small hard tires is difficult for growers to maneuver over a litter-covered floor. A spreader equipped with larger pneumatic tires makes this task much easier for growers.

Using a spreader with larger pneumatic tires (right) make it easier to spread litter treatment products.

Feeding Chicks

Chick Mates

Chick feeding can be a challenge for growers who have to roll out paper or box lids. In many cases chick feeding is done by hand. Installing chick mates on feed lines can be a tremendous labor saver. In some cases a pull or rail-type feed cart is found to be a solution to help with chick feeding.

Chick Mate feeding system reduces labor involved with chick feeding.

Distributing Feeding Paper:

Feeding paper is commonly used to get chicks started eating feed. The task of rolling out this paper over the entire length of a house under each feed line can be very difficult on a person’s back, knees and legs. Devices are available that work with a farm utility vehicle or a golf cart to help roll out feeding paper.

Two devices that help growers distribute feeding paper prior to chick placement.

Other In-House Assistive Technologies

Hand Grips/Grab Bars:

In some cases simple hand grips at key locations provide growers with mobility difficulties the aid they need to climb over low migration fences.

Handle grips. Grab bar.

Improving Ability to Grip Door Knobs:

Many growers have lost strength in their fingers, hands and wrists. They may have lost their ability to simply turn a knob on a door or equipment. Adding a device that improves their grip or converts a knob to a lever can be valuable.

Products to convert knobs to levers.

Electric Winches:

Hand winches are standard equipment in most poultry houses to raise feed and water lines, and to raise sidewall curtains. For a grower who has arthritis, back problems, or loss of arm strength, turning a winch by hand is an arduous task. Many growers have found that using an electric drill motor to turn ceiling-mounted winches is a viable alternative. For growers with more serious disabilities, an electric winch with a push button control may meet their needs.

An electric winch with a push button control.

Dead Bird Disposal / Composting

Loading a bin composter:

A farm tractor with bucket reduces hand labor involved with loading a bin composter.

A typical tractor with bucket can reduce labor for growers loading a compost bin.

Modified Compost Bins:

Typical compost bins for handling poultry mortality are rectangular bins constructed of heavy lumber. The birds are loaded on one side of the bin that requires boards to be lifted in or out as the bin is loaded. This task is very difficult for some growers. An alternative design would be to use swinging gates on these bins that a grower can easily open and close.

Lifting of heavy boards is required to load typical compost bins.

Channel Composters:

Instead of composting in individual bins, channel composters offer a labor-saving alternative. The compost mixtures are layered using a front-end loader in a series of long channels or alleys. This method eliminates the use of boards or gates and much of the hand labor associated with composting.

Incinerator:

Clean, double-burner incinerators are an option for growers who have difficulty loading heavy dead birds into a bin composter. State regulations vary between states so prospective users should check their state regulations thoroughly.

An incinerator on the farm can reduce labor of loading a compost bin.

Conclusion

Though farming and specifically poultry farming is physically demanding, today’s technology can make it possible for a farmer with physical limitations or health conditions to stay on the farm and continue to make a livelihood. Check the University of Delaware website at www.rec.udel.edu or the national Agrability website at www.agrabilityproject.org to learn more about AgrAbility, evolving technologies, and the location of AgrAbility projects in your area.

Authors:

Garrett L. Van Wicklin, Ph.D., P.E., Poultry Production Engineer
Ronald C. Jester, P.E., Extension Safety Specialist

Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Robin Morgan, Director. Distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.