2. House: the roof should be leak proof, made of aluminium sheets, corrugated iron sheets or asbestos. A grass-thatched roof is not good as it harbours pest and require frequent replacement.
3. Ventilation: the wall on the leeward side should be open from 60-90cm above the ground and covered with wire mesh. Good ventilation is important so as to reduce heat, humidity and harmful gases.
4. Floor: the floor is covered with litter, such as, saw dust, wood shaving, crushed maize cobs, and coffee and rice husks, chopped dry grass, etc. The litter should be turned regularly and more added as it becomes contaminated with droppings. Turning or stirring the litter encourages the multiplication of micro-organisms. These breaks down the hen’s dropping and eventually convert the litter into a mass of fine, dry, friable material which is normally odourless and comparatively hygienic. Turning is done either with the help of a fold, or by throwing grains regularly on the litter. As the chicken scratch for the grains, they turn the litter. When introducing new litter mix with a little of the old so as to introduce bacteria which help the litter to decompose. The depth of the litter should be kept between 15-30cm.
5. Feeders and waterers: these should be clean and well distributed to avoid overcrowding of birds and contamination of the feed and water.
6. Roosts: you should provide timber frames on which the bird perch for rest. You should allow 22.5cm – 30cm per bird and 1-1.2m high. The roosts should be moveable in order to avoid dampness caused by the accumulation of droppings in one spot.
7. Nests: are laying boxes: these should be large enough to make the birds comfortable. They should be built in a dark place in order to discourage egg eating and cannibalism. The floor of the nest should be covered with soft dry grass or wood shavings in order to prevent egg breakages.
There are two types of nests: the individual nests and the communal nests:
The individual nest accommodates one bird at a time. It measures 25-30cm wide, 30-35cm high & 30-36cm deep
The communal nest accommodates many birds at a time. Its door is 20x20cm.
Advantages of Deep Litter System
Many birds can be kept in a small area (high stocking rates);
Labour requirement is low as one person can care for many birds;
The system can be used to rear breeding stock;
Birds are safe from predators and thieves;
There is fast accumulation of manure;
Less loss of eggs as in free range;
Ammonia produced by decomposing organic matter in the litters acts as a disinfectant against coccodiosis.
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Disadvantages of Deep Litter System
Incidences of pecking, egg eating, cannibalism, feather plucking are high;
There is an accumulation of pests and pathogens in the litter. Dry litter causes respiratory problems;
It is difficult to know a poor layer as birds lay eggs in common nests;
Eggs may become dirty especially if laid on the floor;
Litter may be difficult to find in some areas.
B. Battery Cage System
In this system, birds are confined entirely in cages throughout their laying period, see figure 2.5.The cages are made of wire mesh. In each cage 1-3 birds are kept. The cages are arranged in rows which are then arranged in tiers, that is, a row is built over another. Cages have tiers varying from 3-6 in numbers with slanting floors to allow the eggs roll easily into the tray. The lowest tiers are normally 60-90cm above the floor. This height allows easy cleaning of the floor. The water troughs and feeder are fitted above the front side of the cages from one end of the row to the other. Eggs are collected from a tray behind the tiers. The cages are 45cm wide and at the front 45cm high and 57.5cm deep.
Figure 2.5: Battery cage system
We hope that your answer included the following causes of direct contamination:
touching infected skin, or
being in close contact with a person who is infected or who is sneezing, and/or coughing.
Advantages of Battery System
Higher egg production due to less energy wastage by birds;
Accurate egg records can be kept because it is easy to know which bird has laid;
Cannibalism and egg eating are minimized;
Eggs are clean because the hens do not step on them;
Less labour is needed especially where mechanization is practiced
It is easy to identify sick birds quickly;
Birds do not contaminate food and water thus there is no re-infection with worms and coccodiosis;
Culling or handling is easy as hens are restricted to a small place;
Broodiness is discouraged as the birds are not able to reach eggs;
A large number of birds can be kept in a small place;
There is greater efficiency in the control of diseases and parasites.
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Disadvantages of Battery System
A high initial capital is required in addition to the house;
It requires increased level of management;
In case of a disease outbreak, it can spread very fast;
Birds develop bruises on combs, breast and toes.
3. Semi Intensive System
The semi intensive system can be divided into two: the fold system and the house and run method.
A. The Fold system
In this system, birds are confined in small structures called an ark or fold. A fold unit measure 3.5m long by 1.5m wide and 1.5m high. This is enough to hold 10-15 hens.
One third of the fold is roofed to provide shelter. The rest of the fold is left open but it is enclosed with wire mesh. The unroofed part is used for sunning and exercise. The folds should be moved daily to a fresh ground to reduce build up of diseases, provide fresh grass, avoid accumulation of droppings and also to spread the manure. See figure 2.6 for an illustration of the fold system.
Figure 2.6: The fold system with wheels
Advantage of the fold system
Manure is spread uniformly in the field.
Less feed is used because the bird eat grass
This system reduces build-up of parasites and diseases.
Disadvantages of the fold system
Few birds are kept per fold. Where many birds are kept, many folds will be required and this is very expensive
It is labour intensive in that folds have to be moved from one place to the other.
Individual egg production record is difficult to keep.
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B. House and Run Method
This method is useful for keeping small population of birds, around 20-50 birds. It consists of solid roofed housing which is used for keeping birds at night, laying eggs and roosting. Birds are allowed to run freely around the house during the day within an area enclosed with chicken wire. It is desirable to provide two runs (Run A and B) for alternating use to avoid build up of diseases and parasites. As Run A is being used for poultry, Run B can rest under a vegetable crop. Birds should be rotated between Runs A & B after every 6 months or one year in order to give ample time for the parasites, worms and disease pathogens to die off. See figure 2.7 for an illustration of this system.
Figure 2.7: House and run housing system
Advantages of the house and run method
It facilitates the rearing of about 20-50 birds as a side (supplementary) business within a large commercial farm.
Security for the birds especially at night is good since the building is usually a permanent house.
The run does not need large a area as in the extensive method.
Disadvantages of the house and run method
Accumulation of parasitic worms and pathogens in the fenced area.
Cost of fencing and permanent house is high.
Losses from snakes, wild animals and thieves.
That brings us to the end of this section on poultry housing management systems. We hope you now understand the different systems and are able to pick one for your poultry project.
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