“Dead Bird” Cart Aids Poultry Cleanup
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Sentinel Robotic Solutions of Wallops Island, Va., developed the Flock Buddy, a U.S.-made, battery-powered cart created specifically for poultry farmers. Its primary purpose is to remove deceased birds from inside large poultry houses, but can be used for many other jobs.
“One of the great things about the Flock Buddy is its strength. It can carry up to 400 lbs.,” says Peter Bale, COO of Sentinel Robotic Solutions. “This makes it incredibly helpful for various tasks around the farm. For instance, it can transport tools, supplies, and more.”
Sentinel Robotic Solutions developed the Flock Buddy after noticing inefficiencies in daily work at poultry farms. Says Bale, “We had the chance to observe the twice daily ritual of removing mortalities from the house with a 5-gal. bucket. Once the bucket was full, they would open the closest door, place the birds outside, and then continue. This could go on for hours.”
Thinking there had to be a better way, the team began to prototype a robotic cart to complete the work solo. After months of development and feedback from a farmer who tested them, the team produced four custom-built Flock Buddies for his poultry houses. “That was 2 years ago,” says Bale. “He still uses the originals to this day, and we’ve only had one failure in 2 years, which was a mechanical issue because he overloaded it.”
Flock Buddy can fit through standard 36-in. doors, allowing it to move easily from one poultry house to another. With a battery that lasts up to 8 hrs., it’s built to withstand harsh environments. The cart has an elevated dump container that can handle dumping over high door sills. An integrated bumper system protects the poultry as it works and even encourages the birds to move, which can benefit their overall health.
Though designed for poultry houses, Flock Buddy works for various hauling jobs around the farm. It has a 10-cu. ft. capacity with variable control speed. Says Bale, “My wife had us build one for her after a car crash left her with a bad shoulder. She uses it twice daily for mucking out horse stalls, moving hay, and all other things that horse people do.”
The Flock Buddy sells for $3,799 and comes with a one-year parts warranty.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Sentinel Robotic Solutions, LLC, 33531 Chincoteague Rd., Wallops Island, Va. 23337 (ph 757-824-0600; info@srsgrp.com).
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“Dead Bird” Cart Aids Poultry Cleanup LIVESTOCK Health Sentinel Robotic Solutions of Wallops Island Va developed the Flock Buddy a U S -made battery-powered cart created specifically for poultry farmers Its primary purpose is to remove deceased birds from inside large poultry houses but can be used for many other jobs “One of the great things about the Flock Buddy is its strength It can carry up to 400 lbs ” says Peter Bale COO of Sentinel Robotic Solutions “This makes it incredibly helpful for various tasks around the farm For instance it can transport tools supplies and more ” Sentinel Robotic Solutions developed the Flock Buddy after noticing inefficiencies in daily work at poultry farms Says Bale “We had the chance to observe the twice daily ritual of removing mortalities from the house with a 5-gal bucket Once the bucket was full they would open the closest door place the birds outside and then continue This could go on for hours ” Thinking there had to be a better way the team began to prototype a robotic cart to complete the work solo After months of development and feedback from a farmer who tested them the team produced four custom-built Flock Buddies for his poultry houses “That was 2 years ago ” says Bale “He still uses the originals to this day and we’ve only had one failure in 2 years which was a mechanical issue because he overloaded it ” Flock Buddy can fit through standard 36-in doors allowing it to move easily from one poultry house to another With a battery that lasts up to 8 hrs it’s built to withstand harsh environments The cart has an elevated dump container that can handle dumping over high door sills An integrated bumper system protects the poultry as it works and even encourages the birds to move which can benefit their overall health Though designed for poultry houses Flock Buddy works for various hauling jobs around the farm It has a 10-cu ft capacity with variable control speed Says Bale “My wife had us build one for her after a car crash left her with a bad shoulder She uses it twice daily for mucking out horse stalls moving hay and all other things that horse people do ” The Flock Buddy sells for $3 799 and comes with a one-year parts warranty Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Sentinel Robotic Solutions LLC 33531 Chincoteague Rd Wallops Island Va 23337 ph 757-824-0600; info@srsgrp com
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