By Tim Gess
Background
As the number of cage free houses have grown i n recent years, so have the challenges of capturing consistent and accurate egg counts. Initially, it wasn’t clear whether the cage free environment itself was contributing to the l ack of confidence in egg count data, or if the quality of the egg counters themselves were somehow to blame.
While PMSI has been using I R counters for many years with great success, recent conversations regarding count accuracy caused PMSI to look deeper into the issue and examine the factors that influence egg count accuracy.
Below are just some of things PMSI has done to both identify conditions leading to inconsistent egg counts and improve egg count accuracy.
PMSI has:
- Conducted a variety of tests including:
- In-house testing across a wide range of counters from multiple vendors.
- On-site testing with different equipment manufacturers.
- Comparison testing against a state-of-the-art vision system.
- Partnered with counter manufacturers to develop a wider variety of counter widths.
- Collaborated with manufacturers to redesign counter housings for better mounting.
- Improved frame designs to make cleaning counters easier for farm personnel.
Although some of these efforts are ongoing, we want to share some of the lessons l earned as well as recommend actions you can take to improve egg count accuracy and consistency i n almost any situation where PMSI’s IR counters are used.
Height & Width Factors
Our i n-house testing has demonstrated that PMSI’s I R counters capture accurate counts when installed +/- 3/8” within the manufacturer’s recommended installation height and egg flow i s reasonably smooth. When egg counters are installed outside this height tolerance, egg counts are less reliable. Eggs must also pass within the specified side boundaries of the counters. Of particular note i s the width discrepancies between equipment manufacturers. For example, not all “10 inch” belts are the same.
Actions Farms Can Take:
To improve egg count accuracy, install counters, brackets, and fasteners that are appropriately sized based on the actual width ( not advertised width) of the equipment manufacturer’s egg belt. Installing the right size counter to manufacturer specifications reduces the number of variables contributing to poor counts. This ultimately increases egg count accuracy and requires less counter tuning.
Egg Roll-Back
Of particular concern is egg roll-back, a condition that tends to be more prevalent with flat belt systems under heavy loads. Flat belts often stretch several inches when the motor is first turned on. When the motor is stopped, the belt can contract back towards the center of the house. This can cause eggs to travel back under the counter resulting in eggs being counted multiple times. This problem will be more acute on days involving a high frequency of starts and stops.
Actions Farms Can Take:
Place egg counters downstream from the belt and utilize braked motors or VFDs to bring the belt to a slow controlled stop. One-way bearings or a similar mechanism are also an option.
Location Of Counters
One very important and often overlooked factor contributing to accurate egg counts is the location of the counters. Recognizing that counters need to be located as upstream as possible in order to provide information to the REF system, positioning counters near transition points or between converging conveyor systems or elevators can contribute to inaccurate counts.
Actions Farms Can Take:
Place counters where egg movement is smooth. Avoid transition points between transport areas such as belts to rods. Avoid placing counters in areas where eggs are subject to roll-back or where eggs may move around under the counter. Avoid areas where eggs can back up under the counter. Simply putting the counter farther upstream from the transition may be all that is needed. Diverters that guide eggs to one side of the conveyor should also be avoided as these can cause backups or movement under the counters.
Counter Size
Egg count accuracy can be affected by the installation of counters that are either too small or too large for the surface area being counted. Fortunately, with the new widths available in the IR series, accurate egg counts can be achieved on any of today’s cage free systems.
Actions Farms Can Take:
Install PMSI’s IR counters that are not less than 1” narrower than the outside edge of the trough or conveyor rail and never install counters that hang over the edges of the counting surface. Finally, always keep the outside pair of lenses at least ¼” from the trough wall to avoid false reads due to side wall reflections.
Mount Bracket Stability
Cage free environments can be especially hard on equipment. This is true even on the mounting brackets themselves. Vibration from daily operations or unintentional bumps in the course of day to day maintenance activities can cause brackets to move out of position or become less stable over time.
Actions Farms Can Take:
Use PMSI’s new, purpose-built counter brackets that ensure proper egg counter positioning and allow for easy cleaning. These brackets are sturdier than previous brackets and make installation easier. Plus, PMSI brackets are designed to tip up to allow easy access to egg counter lenses for cleaning.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Whether you are operating a caged or cage free environment, managing dust and other particulates that travel through the air can be challenging. If allowed to accumulate on or around counter lenses, count accuracy can be compromised.
Actions Farms Can Take:
Use a fluffy towel-like material for getting i n between protruding lenses. Develop a schedule that incorporates daily cleanings ahead of each day’s egg run. Inspect counters frequently to ensure lenses are free of feathers or manure which can block counter lenses and lead to inaccurate counts.
For our full report on Egg Count Accuracy, contact PMSI at info@pmsi.cc