mbulelo smpofu
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
AFTER witnessing poor farm management and rampant feed theft at a piggery and poultry project in Bulawayo in 2012, Mr Donbosco Masendeke (35) from Gutu felt compelled to revolutionise farming in his community, ensuring farmers could save money and maximise profits.
An idea sparked within him: to create a cost-effective, automated and solar-powered chicken coop that minimises human interaction and reduces the time spent caring for livestock, especially when farmers have other commitments. This innovation also aims to prevent feed theft.
“I once lived with someone, who had a poultry project in Bulawayo, and while I admired the endeavour, I was disheartened by worker negligence,” Mr Masendeke recalls.
“I realised that if I were to start a similar project, I should manage it independently because workers sometimes short-change farmers. The project owner suffered significant losses due to theft and poor management, largely because he was rarely present.”
Poultry farming is particularly vulnerable to disease when proper precautions are not taken. “Workers contributed to the death of chickens by entering the coops without sanitising their shoes or wearing protective clothing,” he explains.
“They would sometimes forget to feed the chickens, leading to various challenges. This prompted me to create something that addresses these issues.”
His invention is designed to ensure minimal human interaction, allowing the poultry project to operate even in the owner’s absence.
“I initially created a model using scrap materials and cardboard boxes. After getting married in 2018, I realised I needed to scale up the model to accommodate my time away from home. I used planks and scrap metal,” he notes.
The automated coop can independently open and close while feeding the chickens without the need for human intervention.
“During the Youth Connect Start-Up Tour Bus event, I showcased my project, won $5,000, and used the funds to purchase machinery for fabrication and other essential equipment. Since then, I’ve built several automated chicken coops across the country. I’ve also diversified, creating briquetting machines and automated egg incubators.”
Mr Masendeke partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which provided funding to develop a prototype for the automated coop.
“This machine fills a water and feed reservoir for the chickens. I can program it to operate while I’m away, checking the feeding troughs at specified intervals. If a trough is empty, the machine fills it and then turns off to conserve energy. It checks, refills, and powers down — this takes just two minutes. The coop also provides clean water via nipple drinkers,” he said.
Sensors embedded in the coop’s floor detect the weight of food in the troughs, prompting automatic refills when necessary.
“The automated coop also allows me to command it to open and close at specific times, which is ideal for free-range chickens that return to roost around the same hour,” he says.
The system is equipped to detect and remove chicken droppings.
“When droppings accumulate, the machine cleans the area without needing me to be present. We utilise the droppings for a biogas digester, which produces gas that provides heating during colder days. This machine can regulate its own temperature,” he adds.
Another innovative feature is the remote monitoring system, allowing users to check on their coop via mobile devices. With internet connectivity and a closed-circuit television system, one can virtually oversee the coop without being physically present.
Mr Masendeke claims he can design a system that accommodates up to 5 000 chickens or smaller models for individual households.
“I can tailor the system based on whether customers have their own brooders or I can provide a full structure with my machines and a built coop. For larger systems, we use screw conveyors to fill feed reservoirs directly from trucks without human interaction. I am also committed to inclusivity, designing automated coops for those with mobility challenges to enable them to run successful projects,” he states.
The advanced system alerts owners when feed and water reservoirs are low, ensuring that chickens receive constant nourishment.
“Despite all precautions, chickens can still become ill, and this machine can detect sickness through weight monitoring. If a chicken remains still for too long, the system will notify you, prompting a physical check-up,” he says.
Mr Masendeke’s innovation represents a transformative opportunity for entrepreneurs, enabling them to run efficient projects that enhance profitability while pursuing other ventures.
A self-taught innovator, he encourages young people to think creatively and utilise available resources. He plans to further upscale his operations with industrial machines to increase productivity. – @NyembeziMu
Online Reporter