NATURA & NATURANova

Modern multi-level systems for layers

in floor and free-range management

NATURA and NATURA-Nova modern multi-level systems

for alternative layer management
NATURA this name does not only mean housing systems
that are animal-friendly, but NATURA also implies maximum bird numbers and high laying performance with no
excessive work involved. In detail this means:
1. Animal-friendly housing system
When a housing system for floor or free-range management is asked for, Big Dutchman does not offer its customers individual components but rather a sophisticated
housing concept. From many years of experience we
know that the correct application of the individual
elements multi-level system, nest, winter garden,
environment control plays a decisive role for economic
success.
Each house can generally be divided into 4 activity areas:
Supply area, resting and laying area and scratch area.
These areas are strictly separated from each other, which
leads to the following advantages:
0 the birds have to move within the system in a zigzag course to reach the different zones = increased

moving activity, more frequent nest visits, smaller

number of mislaid eggs;
different structural elements promote practicing of
multiple behavioral patterns (feed and water intake,
flying, scratching, sand bathing etc.).

2. Maximum bird numbers

NATURA and NATURA-Nova meet all the requirements
of the new EU directive. Both systems are available as
single or double-level version = usable area on several
levels. The house floor can also be used 100 % as a
scratch area.
3. High laying performance with acceptable labor involved
NATURA and NATURA-Nova are designed so that hens
feel comfortable, receive sufficient feed and water and
have enough room at their disposal to avoid situations of
stress = high laying performance. The optimum arrangement of nest and system leads to a high acceptance of
the nest among hens = small share of mislaid eggs.

1. Supply area

2. Resting area

3. Laying area

4. Scratch area

NATURA structured living area = optimum adaptation

to natural behavioral patterns
The NATURA laying system marketed by Big Dutchman
has a logical structural design. This structure is a prerequisite for high laying performance along with animalfriendly management. To provide an optimum start for
the birds they should have been raised in a rearing
system very similar to the laying system. This ensures a
smooth transition (in week 16 to 17) from rearing to the
NATURA laying system and only requires a minimum
training phase. To keep the amount of system and floor

eggs as low as possible, strictly follow the instructions

for correct house and flock management. This implies,
for example, using the special feeding and light programs, the respective house lighting with a twilight
period added at the beginning and at the end of the light
period and fixed times for access to the cold scratch area
(winter garden) or the free-range area. Please let our
experts advise you in detail.

a manure belt is located

underneath each level
to collect the manure
from the system = hens
do not come into
contact with their
droppings

approach perches facilitate the hens access to

the nests
nipple drinkers directly
in front of the nest
(available as an option)
additionally increase
the acceptance of the
nest = very few mislaid
eggs

uniform illumination of
levels = minimum
amount of system eggs

2-tier Colony nest offers

sufficient egg-laying
room to the hens

our special approach

perch (patent no.
299 19 443.4) directs the
hens to sit on it facing
the aisle = less manure
drops into the litter

nest and system are

arranged so that the
hens can easily reach
the nest = small amount
of mislaid eggs

plastic slats in the

system ensure secure
foothold and optimum
manure penetration;
the white color has a
positive effect on the
uniform illumination of
the system = very few
system eggs

hens can use the house

floor surface 100 % as
scratch area = ample
room for hens to move
and for high bird numbers

Advantages of the winter garden

0
0
0
0
0

gradual transition from the house to the free range

area;
the winter garden is the bad weather alternative for
free range;
due to the roofing, litter stays relatively dry = low
ammonia emissions;
concrete floor (if possible) prevents uncontrolled
nutrient penetration into the soil;
manure from the winter garden can be removed as
required or after each grow-out, followed by cleaning
and disinfection = significantly better level of hygiene.

NATURA-Nova nest and system are one unit

= direct access to the nest
NATURA-Nova is the new multi-level system made by
Big Dutchman and characterized mainly by the integral
design between the system and the nest. This means
that even hens that have not learned how to fly during
the rearing phase can reach the nest without problems
= very few mislaid eggs. This ensures high product
safety even in larger units.
NATURA-Nova is available as single or double-level

version. The entire house floor surface can be used as

scratch area. A manure belt collects the dirt underneath all levels as well as underneath the transition to
the nest. The strict separation of nest and scratch area
significantly minimizes the formation of dust. The
INTEGRA plastic flooring with integrated perch used
in this system ensures a secure foothold and can be
very easily dismantled for cleaning purposes.

due to the slightly

inclined plastic flooring
mislaid system eggs
end up below the
landing perch = there
they stay clean and can
be easily collected

a tube is located above

the feed trough = no
contamination of feed

using the CHAMPION

feed chain with high
conveying capacity =
for sufficient feed
intake and high laying
performance
the transition area
between the nest and
the system can also be
used for daily inspection by the farm staff =
easy to monitor

INTEGRA with integrated perch

0
0

0
0
0
0

smooth, anti-slip surface = offers secure foothold, healthy undersides of the feet, increases bird welfare;
integrated perch in the shape of a double bar = offers excellent
comfort when sitting, minimum infection pressure on the undersides of the feet;
as an option, we offer an additional soft cover of rubber-like plastic
applied to the perch = even more comfort when sitting;
no sharp edges or corners = no danger of injury;
very small surface similar to wire mesh = optimum manure
penetration, flooring stays very clean throughout the flock;
no contact surface between the slats = simple and thorough
cleaning, prevents hotbeds for mites and other vermin.

Laying nests for NATURA and NATURA-Nova =

well accepted by the hens, outstanding egg quality
Misplaced, dirty or cracked eggs can have detrimental
influence to good farm results. Preventing these is a
strong feature of Big Dutchman nests. Easy access to
the nest boxes and the soft nest insert ensure high
nest acceptance by the hens. Its modular construction
provides a one or two-tier design and an effective
automatic egg collection system, making the nest
system very flexible and permitting a variety of
installation possibilities.
The nest insert can consist either of a special finger
pad or of AstroTurf. Both mats keep the contact surface between egg and insert very small. This assists
in a smooth movement, prevents soiling and there
are no roll-off marks on the eggs.

View into the NATURA nest with finger pad as an insert

Elevator with manual collection table

View into the Colony nest with ejection mechanism and AstroTurf insert

Manure removal easy to carry out with dry manure

In addition to the eggs, manure
is available as a by-product and
can be utilized by the farmer in a
cost-effective way. The manure
belts below the resting area and
below the levels with feeding
and drinker lines collect the
manure essential for clean and
healthy hens. The use of manure
belt ventilation results in a dry
matter content of up to 65 %.
The advantages are obvious:
) low ammonia level in the

)
)
)
)
)

house;
clean and healthy hens;
no fly problems, since manure
is removed weekly;
50 % less storage required
compared to slurry;
simple distribution by means
of a manure spreader disk;
dry manure procedure recognized as environmentally
beneficial.
Endlessly welded manure belts collect the manure

Planning aids for the use of NATURA and NATURA-Nova

Layers/section according to
the EU-directive 1999/74/EG

NATURA 2t - 2200
2.008 m/section

Layers/section*
additional usable area (m2/section)

NATURA 2t - 2600
2.008 m/section

147
6

NATURA-Nova 1t
2.412 m/section

160
6

NATURA-Nova 2t
2.412 m/section

130
5

241
9

Example: bird number per linear meter of house length with 2 rows NATURA or NATURA-Nova in a 12 m house incl. 2x4 m winter garden
House length
Sections Bird number Sections Bird number Sections Bird number Sections Bird number
1.0
24.1
60.3
79.5
96.4

m
m
m
m
m

24
60
79**
96

147
3528
8820
11613
14112

24
60
79**
96

159
3840
9600
12640
15360

20
50
66
80

108
2600
6500
8580
10400

20
50
66
80

200
4820
12050
15906
19280

* considering feed, water, perches and in the case of NATURA-Nova also the laying nest
** in fact, half sections arise here
Due to the EU ecology decree (EG) No. 1804/1999 different bird numbers might result.

Type NATURA 2 levels - 2200

Type NATURA 2 levels - 2600

1
2

Type NATURA-Nova / 2 levels

Type NATURA-Nova / 1 level

8
6

1
2

7
7

Key
1 Fresh air inlet with light trap
2 Light strip with darkening
3 Passage hole (100 x 50 cm)

4
5
6
7

Exit opening (100 x 50 cm)

Dirt edge
Wire separation
Light bulb or energy-saving bulb that

Asia
Big Dutchman Asia
No. 25, Jalan Pemberita (U1/49)
Temasya Industrial Park Section U1
40150 Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia
Tel. +60-3-519 23 20 Fax +60-3-519 58 30
e-mail: bdasia@bda.com.my
Germany
Big Dutchman International GmbH
Postfach 1163 49360 Vechta Germany
Tel. +49(0)4447-801-0
Fax +49(0)4447-801-237
E-Mail: big@bigdutchman.de

USA
Big Dutchman, Inc.
P.O. Box 1017 Holland, MI 49422-1017 USA
Tel. +1-616-392 59 81
Fax +1-616-392 61 88
e-mail: bigd@bigdutchmanusa.com

can be dimmed
8 Light bulb or energy-saving bulb that can
be dimmed with dawn and dusk function
9 Wind and rain screen

Technical details subject to change. e 10/00