When to log a service call
Use a service call when a cage line, feeder, drinker, incubator, brooder or processing room fitting is giving trouble, or when output has dropped and you need a technician to check the cause. A small fault can turn into a larger shutdown if it is left too long, especially during load-shedding, voltage dips, dust build-up or high summer humidity along the coast.
Call us as soon as you notice unusual noise, poor temperature control, leaking drinkers, uneven feed flow, weak ventilation, broken switches or parts that are wearing faster than normal. If the issue affects bird welfare, water supply or hygiene in the abattoir, it should be treated as urgent.
- Strange noise, smell or vibration
- Temperature or humidity not holding steady
- Water lines dripping or blocked
- Feeders, motors or controls stopping intermittently
- Cleaning or sanitation points not working properly
What to send with your request
Give us as much detail as you can the first time. Clear information helps our technical team decide whether the problem can be handled by phone, whether spares are needed, or whether a site visit is required. If you are in a remote area such as Limpopo, North West or the Free State, the better the first report, the quicker we can plan the trip.
- Site name, town and province
- Equipment type and number of units affected
- What happened, and when it started
- Any alarms, fault codes or warning lights
- Photos or a short video if available
- Your contact person on site and best time to call
If the equipment has been modified, moved or repaired by another contractor tell us that too. It saves time and avoids sending the wrong spares or advice.
How we handle the support request
Once your request comes in, our team logs the fault and checks the next step. Lerato Mokoena in operations and Sibusiso Dlamini in projects coordinate the workflow, while Thabo Nkosi leads service follow up. For technical product questions, Anika van der Merwe assists with equipment selection and fault interpretation. If the issue is about spares or replacement parts, Nadine Jacobs checks availability and ordering.
We will usually start with remote troubleshooting if it is safe to do so. That might include checking power supply, sensors, water pressure, timers, burners, motors or controller settings. If a visit is needed, we set out the likely scope before the technician goes on site, so you know what to expect and can prepare access to the house, room or plant area.
- Remote diagnosis where possible
- Site inspection for mechanical, electrical or process faults
- Parts recommendation and quotation if needed
- Repair, adjustment or maintenance work on site
Preparing the site before the technician arrives
A clean, accessible site helps the job go faster. Make sure the affected area is safe to enter, power points are reachable and any birds, stock or process material are managed before the visit. If the fault is in a poultry house, let us know the stocking stage and whether the birds are housed, moved or due for movement soon. For abattoir equipment, keep the room ready for inspection and let your team know the stop and start plan.
Have basic tools and a responsible site person available. If a part needs to be isolated, drained or switched off, the technician may ask your team to assist. Good preparation often saves an extra call-out, and it can prevent damage to related equipment.
- Clear access to panels, motors and fittings
- Keep safe isolation procedures in place
- Have the machine history or previous fault notes ready
- Confirm water, power and backup power status
Maintenance for poultry houses and processing areas
Many call-outs can be reduced with planned maintenance. Our team assists with cleaning schedules, wear part checks, calibration, replacement cycles and practical training for operators. On poultry farms, regular maintenance helps with bird comfort, feed conversion and water hygiene. In processing areas, it supports cleaning, throughput and compliance with basic municipal and food safety requirements.
We also assist with maintenance programmes for expanded sites and older installations that need a bit more attention. If you are running across seasons in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal or the coastal belt, the same equipment may behave very differently in winter dryness and summer moisture, so a fixed routine is important.
- Planned servicing intervals
- Operator checks and cleaning routines
- Spare part stock guidance
- Upgrade advice for ageing systems
How to reach us for support
John F Marshall is based in Jet Park, Boksburg and supports poultry projects across South Africa. We work with customers in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, including farm sites, hatchery spaces and processing rooms. If you need help with laying-hen cages, incubators, brooders, feeders, drinkers or abattoir equipment, send the details through and we will take it from there.
Email your service request to info@johnfmarshall.co.za and include your name, site location, equipment details and urgency level. If the matter affects animal welfare, product safety or production for the day, say so clearly. That helps us prioritise the job and get the right person involved quicker.
