Intensive Poultry Housing Systems: Pros and Cons

When it comes to poultry farming, selecting the appropriate housing system is one of the most critical decisions a farmer can make. The housing system not only determines the comfort and welfare of the birds but also directly impacts productivity, disease control, and farm efficiency. An ideal poultry house provides a safe, hygienic, and well-ventilated environment that allows birds to feed, grow, and reproduce optimally.

With numerous housing options available, each with its own advantages and limitations, deciding on the most suitable system for your farm can be challenging. This guide explores and compares four widely used poultry housing systems: the Straw Yard, Battery Cage System, Wire Floored House, and Deep Litter System. By understanding their features, benefits, and management requirements, farmers can make informed decisions that strike a balance between animal welfare, efficiency, and sustainability.

1. Straw Yard System

The Straw Yard system is essentially a combination of a poultry run and a deep litter system. It consists of a house and an adjoining outdoor yard, both deeply littered with straw, rather than grass. This system allows birds to roam and exercise while still being protected.

The House

The poultry house in a straw yard can be constructed from a variety of materials such as bricks, stones, wood, bamboo, aluminum, or mud. The floor can be earth, concrete, stone, or wood, and it is usually covered with litter to absorb droppings and maintain hygiene.

Access doors should be wide enough for the attendant to bring in feed or remove litter using a wheelbarrow or small tractor. Birds access the yard through small openings or “popholes,” which allow them to move freely between the house and the outdoor yard.

Inside, birds feed, sleep, and lay eggs. The house must be well-lit so that birds can easily see feed troughs, nest boxes, and perches. Feed troughs are often suspended to prevent contamination, and nests must have adequate litter to prevent eggs from getting soiled.

Stocking Rate:

• For flocks of about 150 birds: 0.35 square meters (≈3 square feet) per bird.
• For flocks over 150 birds: 0.2 square meters (≈2 square feet) per bird.

The Yard

The yard is an outdoor enclosure adjacent to the house, typically littered to a depth of 60 cm (2 feet). A solid fence at least 2 meters (≈7 feet) high is recommended to confine the birds. A solid base of 60–120 cm prevents litter from spilling and provides additional protection.

The yard surface should be hard and well-drained to prevent waterlogging. In areas with heavy tropical rains, birds may need to be confined indoors during wet weather. Water troughs should be accessible at all times.

Stocking Rate:

• For 500 birds: 0.4 square meters per bird.

Management

• Litter Care: Deep litter in the yard requires minimal attention once established, but should be replaced every 1–2 years. Shallow litter inside the house should be replaced weekly during wet weather.
• Feeding and Exercise: Sprinkling a small amount of grain encourages birds to scratch, promoting exercise and dispersing droppings, which reduces feather pecking and cannibalism.
• Cleaning: Thorough cleaning is needed after selling the flock or introducing new birds. Wet litter should be replaced, and water troughs cleaned regularly.
• Security: Birds should be confined indoors at night. Cutting flight feathers may help prevent escapes.

Advantages

• Suitable for relatively large flocks in a confined area.
• Provides exercise and reduces behavioral issues.
• Can replace unsatisfactory poultry yards.

Disadvantages

• Requires more space than deep litter houses.
• High initial litter requirement and ongoing replacement costs.
• Birds need additional green feed.
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2. Battery Cage System

The Battery Cage System is an intensive housing method where birds are confined in wire cages, arranged in single or multiple tiers. It is widely used for commercial egg production due to its efficiency and hygiene.

The Cages

Battery cages are typically made of metal wire, allowing droppings to pass through the floor. Eggs roll forward to a collection area, reducing breakage and contamination. Each bird is allocated roughly 0.2 square meters, though small hens may require less space. Feed and water containers are attached outside the cage and refilled manually or via automated systems.

In tropical climates, cages are often designed in stepped arrangements rather than stacked directly to improve ventilation and prevent overheating.

The Battery House

Since caged birds cannot move away from adverse conditions, the battery house must be well-designed. It should be waterproof, well-lit, ventilated, and spacious enough for attendants to work efficiently. Storage areas for feed, manure, and eggs are also required. Outdoor placement is possible with adequate protection from sun, rain, and wind.

Management

• Birds are usually placed in cages 14 days before laying begins and remain until the end of the first laying season (11–12 months).
• Egg collection, feeding, watering, and droppings removal are daily duties.
• Accurate record-keeping allows easy detection of non-layers and effective flock management.
• Cages and equipment are cleaned and repaired regularly, and sick birds are isolated.

Advantages

• High hygiene is required due to droppings falling through the cage floors.
• Minimal feed and water contamination.
• Easier detection of sick birds and non-layers.
• High stocking density is possible.
• Eggs remain clean, and individual bird production is trackable.

Disadvantages

• Expensive initial investment and maintenance costs.
• Birds have limited space and no exercise, which may affect their health.
• Dependence on machinery and power for automated systems can be risky.
• Some eggs may crack due to the wire floors.

3. Wire Floored House System

The Wire Floored House System is similar to a deep litter house, but with a perforated wire or slatted floor that allows droppings to pass through. It is often built on concrete floors and provides higher stocking densities than the deep litter system.

Construction

• Perforated floors are made in sections (≈2×2 meters) with wire mesh or wooden slats.
• The floor allows droppings to fall through to the collection area below.
• Sections are supported by pillars made from concrete, oil drums, or other materials.

Stocking Rate:

• Typically, 0.2 square meters per bird for 100 birds.
• Large houses may reduce this to 0.1 square meters per bird.

Management

• Daily feeding, watering, and egg collection.
• Litter in nest boxes should be refreshed as needed.
• After selling a flock, thorough cleaning and disinfection are required.

Advantages

• Effective droppings disposal without expensive cages.
• High stocking density is achievable.

Disadvantages

• Egg care and collection are less efficient than battery cages.
• Close confinement may lead to feather pecking and cannibalism.
• Wire floors can cause foot sores if poor-quality materials are used.

4. Deep Litter System

The Deep Litter System involves keeping large flocks on a layer of plant-based bedding (15–31 cm thick) on a hard floor. Materials such as wood shavings, coffee husks, chopped straw, or maize cobs are used.

Principles

• Litter absorbs droppings, with bacteria generating heat that dries the litter.
• Perches encourage birds to deposit droppings in specific areas, simplifying cleaning.
• Nest boxes, broody hen coops, and feeding stations are elevated to reduce contamination.

Deep Litter House

• Can be a purpose-built or adapted existing structure (e.g., garages, stores).
• Must be well-ventilated, waterproof, and protected from predators.
• Adequate space, lighting, and access to feed and water are critical.

Stocking Rate:

• Small flocks (≈80 birds): 4 square feet per bird.
• Flocks of 100 birds: 3.5 square feet per bird.
• Larger flocks: 2.5 square feet per bird (for layers).

Management

• Start with 15 cm of litter before introducing birds, adding more until 30 cm is achieved.
• Regular raking ensures proper aeration and bacterial activity.
• Daily care includes feeding, watering, and egg collection.
• Cleaning and disinfecting are required after each flock cycle.

Advantages

• Requires less land than free-range systems.
• Low labor for feeding, egg collection, and litter management.
• Produces nutrient-rich manure for crops.
• Protects birds from adverse weather.
• Reduces behavioral problems like cannibalism and feather pecking.

Disadvantages

• High initial setup cost.
• Limited exposure to exercise and sunlight affects vitamin D synthesis.
• Risk of parasite buildup if litter is not properly maintained.
• Eggs may become soiled if nests are inadequate or litter is damp.
• Broody behavior may increase due to a comfortable litter.

Conclusion

Choosing the right poultry housing system depends on a range of factors, including available space, budget, bird welfare, and farm management goals. Each system—Straw Yard, Battery Cage, Wire Floored House, and Deep Litter—has unique benefits and challenges.

Farmers should carefully weigh the trade-offs: while battery cages maximize hygiene and egg collection efficiency, they limit exercise and require higher investment. Straw yards and deep litter systems offer natural behaviors and exercise, but demand careful litter management and more space. Wire-floored houses provide high stocking densities but may pose issues with egg collection and foot health.