Automatic poultry weighing system during the breeding period

Controller - recorder WGJ−8

The task of the automatic poultry weighing system is continuous control of the body mass increase. The JOTAFAN WGJ-8 system manufactured by JOTA s.c. consists of scales located in the hen house, connected to the controller – recorder and (as an option) with a PC (picture 1).

Rysunek 1

Picture 1. Diagram of JOTAFAN WGJ-8 automatic poultry weighing system

In order to illustrate the possible connections of the system elements, the scales have been grouped in “flocks” (red rectangles) and given names: “HEN_HOUSE_1”, “FLOCK_2”, and “TURKEYS”

In order not to obscure the picture only 7 scales have been shown out of the maximum possible 16 and they have been grouped in 3 “flocks” out of the possible 8.

Up to sixteen scales can cooperate with one controller. Information from each scale is stored in the memory separately so that the average and other statistical parameters are calculated independently for each scale. The scales can be grouped in “flocks” for which the controller calculates the average and other statistical parameters. Therefore it is possible to use one controller for several hen houses or to independently breed flocks in a hen house divided into sectors, e.g. during breeding of procreating flocks. Recording of the flocks is fully independent – they can be of different age.

The task of WGJ-8 controller-recorder is to communicate with the scales – send weighing parameters and most important to calculate and display such statistical data as: average, growth, adjustment and activity of the flock as well as other useful data. Those parameters are displayed on regular basis on a large clear display as well as the so called “weight flock age” – i.e. flock age estimated based on average and catalogue weights in a current breeding hour (picture 2). Observation of variations of the weight flock age enables quick identification of irregularities in the breeding process.

Standard curves for basic hen flocks (broiler and parent) are stored in the memory of the controller: ROSS-308, COBB-500 and HUBBARD F-15 and FLEX, and also for turkeys BIG-6 and BIG-9.

Directly on the WGJ-8 controller’s display (the display can be changed with “up” and “down” arrows), the following data is available (independently for individual scales or for “flocks”):

day of the flock age (calendar),
number of weighings on that day,
average during the statistical period (the system operates continuously but the parameters can be calculated in a selected time period – e.g. for the broiler for the last 8 hours of the day),
growth,
„forecast average” foreseeing the weight for the next breeding days based on the growth trends in the previous days,
adjustment,
activity of the flock (as a number of weighings per hour).

Other statistical parameters for all recorded flock breeding days with a division into sex, such as:

values: minimum and maximum,
standard deviation,
variability of CV

are available in the menu “Statistical analysis”.

Easy and intuitive operation of the controller menu enables quick and trouble-free review of individual parameters as well as review of average weights and growth on all breeding days.

Picture 2

top: view of the main display of WGJ-8 controller; the displayed information enables quick overall estimation of the flock behaviour: its activity and average weight,

down: the display comparing the flock age resulting from the actual average weight and standard weight. With this information it is possible to estimate if the flock is developing correctly (if we observe the decrease in the flock age resulting from the average weight – it is a warning signal – it can be a sign of a disease, nutrition problem or inappropriate microclimate).

WGJ-8 controller records each weighing individually in the internal memory along with a date and hour – after connecting of PC and using WGJ-8C software you can perform a detailed statistical analysis of data and prepare reports (tables and graphs).

The controller is suitable for recording weighings for 1000 days (with 16 scales attached and the number of weighings up to 5000 per day on each of them).

There are three types of scales in the WGJ-8 automatic poultry weighing system:

a hanging scale WGJ−W – measurement range from 30 g up to 32 kg, graduation 1 g, best for weighing hens and turkey-hens
platform scale WGJ−P – measurement range from 30 g up to 32 kg, graduation 1 g, for turkeys
free standing scale WGJ−1 – measurement range from 30 g up to 5 kg, graduation 1 g, for light birds (quails etc.)

One WGJ-8 controller can be connected to three types of scales simultaneously.

WGJ-8 controller is equipped with a relay emergency output with COM, NO, NC contacts enabling connection to the majority of alarm systems. The following emergency situations are detected:

interruption of the breeding process: activity to small, adjustment too low, change of proportions between the lighter and the heavier from the standard weight
lack of power supply,
lack of communication between the controller and scales,
damage of the measurement track of the weighing scale,
damage of the most important elements of the controller.

The device is also equipped with USB and RS−485 interfaces enabling connection to a PC in order to remotely manage the system of scales, read the gathered data and subject them to a more detailed analysis.

NEW! WGJ-8 controller can also be equipped with Ethernet or Wi-Fi to enable connection to Internet (by means of a router) or wireless transmission of data between hen houses and the office or other places. Owing to this solution it is possible to connect all the controllers in the hen house in an easy and quick way and to operate them remotely. We offer a few types of antenna for Wi-Fi installation. We also offer configuration and start-up services.

Technical data of WGJ−8

Power supply voltage	230V, 50Hz
Type of the power network	TN-C-S or TN-S
Fuse in the power supply	circuit of the device 125mA, 250 V
Fire safety class I	I
Power consumption of the device with attached scales	maximum 24,3 VA
Operating temperature	10°C ÷ 40°C
Relative ambient humidity	10% ÷ 90% (without condensation)
Parameters of the load of emergency relay contacts	24 V (AC/DC) maximum 200 mA
Graduation of measurement	1g
Memory stick type	SD (required use of KINGSTON memory, maximum 4 GB)
Type of communication with PC	USB or RS-485
Housing tightness	IP 55
Dimensions of the control panel housing WGJ−8 (width × height × thickness)	235mm × 320mm × 130mm

Awards and distinctions

In April 2008 the WGJ−8 automatic poultry weighing system received a gold medal during X International Pig and Poultry Farm Fair in Poznań.

See also: diploma, pictures from the Fair.