Bobcats are the business

Handling and removing chook manure is an arduous process, but a NSW poultry removal business is finding it easy with its huge fleet of Bobcats.

When it comes to the Australian chicken meat industry, it's certainly not chicken feed.

The sector contributes significantly to the domestic economy, with an estimated gross value of production (2021-22) of $2.97 billion and an estimated retail value of $6.6b.

The meat is the most popular source of animal protein to Australian consumers, with annual per capita consumption exceeding 50kg (and increasing year on year). Indeed, you're likely to be one of the 68 per cent of Australians who eat chicken meat as part of a meal at least twice a week because of its affordability, popularity with the entire household, versatility and taste.

One of the biggest poultry regions is the Western Riverina in NSW, renowned for its livestock operations, and where most poultry are produced under intensive indoor production systems, housed in large sheds.

There's a combination of ready access to grain supplies, level land at a reasonable price, secure water supply, separation distances from potential conflict interfaces, and good transport networks.

But with most poultry farms running thousands of birds, it is essential that the huge amounts of litter are cleaned out regularly.

Litter removal procedures typically involve collection of spent litter (often by contractors who supply Bobcats or loaders), sweeping or vacuuming remaining material, and washing sheds with detergents and sanitisers.

It's a practice which requires skill and also experience. Odour and dust can be released while pushing up litter within sheds, while loading litter into vehicles or during transport.

Disturbing litter during removal can release built-up gasses, which can be harmful to human health in high concentrations (inside the shed).

The clean-out needs to be managed to minimise odour and dust impacts on neighbours and to minimise the risk of disease transmission between growth cycles.