Modern Poultry Housing

Housing in Poultry IndustryHas all the facilities required by the poultry. Have the facilities of well ventilation, capturing moisture, sufficient air and light movement, lighting, litter management etc.

Poultry Housing SystemsFree-range or extensive systemSemi-intensive systemFolding unit systemIntensive system1 Super intensive system2 Extra super intensive system

Early Poultry Production Prior to the 2nd world war most chickens were produced in open yards or dirt floor sheds.

Poultry 1940 - 1960Advances in breeding/genetics and feeds and nutrition improved feed conversion and cut production time for a marketable size bird from 16 to 8 weeks.Advances in refrigeration expanded distribution of processed birds and eggs and enlarged the market. The dynamic of the poultry market and the industry had changed.

Modern Poultry Production Today large scale chicken and turkey production is done in total confinement facilities. Weather Predators/parasites Pathogens Automation Intensive production schedules Control of waste runoff

Modern Poultry Production Environmental conditions are automatically controlledPrimarily in enclosed buildings for protection

Poultry Production Nowadays poultry operators tend to specialize in one type of production. Poultry housing must be geared toward each individual operation. Houses for various production enterprises may differ greatly in size, appearance, and arrangement of facilities. However, they also have some similar requirements.

Separation by Age Class & Product Poultry producers are separating birds by species age class and product. Brooding chicks Breeding hens & roostersLaying egg productionBroilers meat production

Brooding Early period of growth when supplemental heat must be provided, due to the birds inability to generate enough body heat. Start at 30.6 C and reduced by 3C each week.

Brooding Brooding rings are used to keep chicks and near food, water and heat, critical for their survival

Breeding Roosters and hens are most productive at 22.2 C

Breeding Light effects the sexual maturity of birds, for example decreasing photo periods will delay sexual maturity.Breeding houses are often have facilities where the entry of light is tightly controlled so the producer can control the amount of light received by the birds through artificial lighting.

Laying hens Prefer a temperature of 21-22 C Sophisticated ventilation is required to support this battery cage arrangement. The eggs in the trays below the hens.

Broiler/Grow-out FacilitiesBroilers need consistent temperatures and constant access to food and water to grow efficiently.

Broiler & Breeding Environments Consistent temperatures of 21 - 22 C produce the best performance in mature birds. Maintaining temperature consistency and uniformity throughout the house is as important as the temperature itself.

Ventilation

Cold/Rainy Weather Ventilation In the cold/rainy weather, minimum ventilation removes ammonia and moisture. However in very cold weather temperatures can not be maintained Supplemental heating may be required.Forced air heating is becoming more common especially in breeding facilities

Warm Weather Ventilation In warm weather, ventilation alone will not reduce the temperature enough.The wind chill effect of tunnel ventilation and evaporative cooling pads help to lower the effective temperature.

LightImportant element for poultry and they become very sensitive to lightPoultry birds require 8 hours darkness and 16 hours presence of lightIncandescent or fluorescent bulb for the purpose of artificial lightUse a wide reflector always to maximize the light

Feeding Feed delivery has been largely automated.

Watering Systems Watering has also been highly automated

Waste Systems Clean slotted floor with flush. Litter, manure are used as fertilizers.

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