Poultry Farm Manure Belt System vs. Manure Scraper System: A Head-to-Head Comparison

     When choosing an automated poultry farm manure removal system, the two most common choices are the manure belt and the manure scraper. So, which is right for your poultry farm?

     The short answer is: manure belts are the modern standard for multi-tier H-type cage systems, offering superior hygiene. Manure Scraper systems are a simpler, lower-cost option often used in A-type (stepped) cages or floor-based broiler houses with a deep pit or manure channel.

Let's break down the comparison

Pros and Cons: The Manure Belt System

A manure belt is a continuous loop of PP ,PE or PVC that runs under each tier of poultry cages, acting like a conveyor.

• Pros:

  • Superior Hygiene: It catches all waste and removes it completely from the barn. This dramatically reduces ammonia and fly populations.

  • Better Animal Health: With ammonia levels kept near zero, birds suffer fewer respiratory issues and have better feed conversion.

  • Drier Manure: By removing manure daily, it doesn't get wet from drinkers. It's often 30-50% dry matter, making it lighter, cheaper to transport, and easier to process or sell as fertilizer.

• Cons:

  • Higher Initial Cost: The system is more complex, with more rollers, motors (one per tier), and the high-tech belt material.

  • Installation: It's best installed with new cage systems. Retrofitting is possible but more complex than a scraper.

Pros and Cons: The Manure Scraper System

     A manure scraper system consists of a large metal blade (or V-shaped plow) that is pulled by a cable or chain along the bottom of a manure pit or channel.

• Pros:

  • Lower Initial Cost: It's a simpler mechanical system, making it more affordable upfront.

  • Good for Deep Pits: It's the standard for A-type cages where manure drops into a central pit. It's also used in floor-based broiler houses.

  • Simple Structure: Fewer moving parts than a multi-tier belt system.

• Cons:

  • Less Effective Hygiene: The manure sits in the pit or channel, constantly releasing ammonia into the barn's air. The scraper only moves it; it doesn't eliminate the source.

  • Wetter Manure: The manure often mixes with water spillage, creating a wet slurry that is heavy, smelly, and harder to handle.

  • Higher Maintenance: Cables and ropes can stretch, fray, and break. Chains can rust and seize. The scraper blades can get stuck or worn.

How to Choose

Your decision comes down to your housing system and long-term goals.

• Choose a Manure Belt if: You are building a new facility with multi-tier H-type cages. Your priority is maximum hygiene, low ammonia, and producing drier, more manageable manure. You are willing to invest more upfront for long-term ROI.

• Choose a Manure Scraper if: You have an existing barn with A-type cages and a deep pit. You are on a tighter budget and need a simple solution for a floor-based system.

Conclusion

     For new, intensive layer or pullet operations, the manure belt system is the clear winner. It provides a healthier environment for the birds and a more valuable end-product. A scraper system is a functional, budget-friendly choice for specific (and often older) barn designs.

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