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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.
Poultry Keeping & Management
Page 22
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.
Before you continue, review what you have just learnt by completing the following activity.
In this unit we have discussed described the requirements for a good poultry house.
We noted that these include good ventilation, enough space, and protection from
weather elements and predators. Next we looked at how to design a poultry house.
We hope you still remember that you need to allow 4-5sq feet per bird when
designing the size of your poultry house. Lastly we considered the various poultry
production systems used by farmers. These were broadly divided into three main
categories, namely, the extensive or free range system, the intensive system such as
the deep litter system; and the semi-intensive system such as the fold system. We
hope you are now able to make an informed decision when choosing a housing
system for your poultry project.
In the next unit you will learn about poultry breeds.
Activity 2.3
Poultry Housing Management Systems (Time: 15 minutes)
Draw a line to connect a poultry housing management system with its
unique feature.
Housing management system Features
Extensive or free range
system
Birds confined in arks or folds
which are moved daily to fresh
ground
Battery cage system
House surrounded by a wire mesh
enclosure that allows birds to run
freely during the day.
Fold system
Birds confined in a building and
stay in doors for the whole of
their life
House and run system
Birds are kept inside a cage
throughout their laying period
Deep litter system
Birds roam freely in fenced
ground with a simple house to
provide shelter at night
Poultry Keeping & Management
Page 24
Unit 3
Poultry Breeds and Incubation
Introduction
In the last unit we learnt about the qualities of a good poultry house, how to
estimate the size of a poultry house and the different housing systems used by
farmers. In this unit we shall look at the common chicken breeds found in Kenya. We
shall also discuss both natural and artificial incubation practices. As usual, let us start
with our unit objectives.
Unit Objectives
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
Identify the common chicken breeds found in Kenya;
Apply the appropriate incubation practices
