Chi ken firm analysis

1. Chicken Sheet
You can find the instructions on how to use the flock sheet on the reverse side.
Here are a few important reminders:
 List the name of all vaccines and medications administered at the hatchery (as per
hatchery invoice).
 Include all vaccines administered at the farm level as well.
 List all diseases or syndromes that were diagnosed, including those for which no
medications were administered.
 List all medications given to the flock throughout the entire grow-out that were
administered as a result of a disease or a syndrome.
 For preventive medications provided in the feed, only those with a withdrawal period
given to the flock in the final 14 days before shipping need to be listed.
Corrective Actions
The process for corrective actions must be outlined in the on-farm audit and certification
procession section.
If something happens that is outside the requirements for the categories listed below, you have
to take corrective actions.
 Stocking densities
 Air quality
 Environmental temperature
 Litter management
 Food and water
You need to record any deviations from the requirements and the reasons for them. (For
example, chlorine is not detected at the end of the water line or your target density is exceeded
due to the processing date being moved).
A single deviation does not directly affect certification. Based on the reason for the deviation,
you may need to change a management practice. You should figure out how to prevent
deviations from re-occurring, and document your changes.
If a particular deviation re-occurs within the next three flocks, you have to take corrective
actions in order to maintain certification. The Flock Specific Records (or similar) may be used
to record the above-required information.
Emergency Management

2. No one wants to have to deal with emergency situations, but in order to respond effectively
when they do happen, you have to have a written plan.
A contact sheet with numbers for people who need to be phoned during fire, or other
emergencies must be accessible to everyone who works on the farm. Your veterinarian’s
contact information should also be included.
Having a working monitoring and alarm system that functions in the heat, cold or during a
power failure is essential.
 Organization procedures for preparation and maintenance of
accommodation, quality of working methods and practice, resource use
and suitability, scheduling, the health and well‐being of the birds and the
cleanliness and suitability of the accommodation
Poultry farming in India has transformed into a techno-commercial industry from the status of
backyard farming since three decades. India stands as third largest egg producer and fifth
chicken meat producer in the world with about 60 billion eggs and 2.2 million metric tons of
chicken meat. This production is achieved generally by commercial poultry operations;
however, a significant contribution comes from Country Chicken farming also.
Establishment of chicken farming: -
The main objective of farm is to ensure maximum security, from diseases, environmental
pollution and other stress factors. The farm should be located far from any other commercial
poultry operation to prevent contamination of environment and diseases, otherwise it will cause
economic loss to the farm. Farm should be located in an elevated area with good air current
and the location should be well connected by road for easy accessibility.
Chicken farming or poultry farming: -
All our birds like, Cauvery, Kalinga Brown, Nirbheek, Hitcari, Gramapriya and Vanaraj due
to its moderate body weight and high egg yielding capacity are more preferred under Semi-
intensive farm conditions in rural/tribal areas. The feather colour of all these type birds are
multiple coloured and mostly brown eggers. They have the better immune capacity and thereby
strength of survivability is maximum. Because of moderate body weight the birds can escape
from predators. Initial brooding up to 6 weeks in brooding unit/nursery is required and are let
out for semi free range or free-range management system.
Promising features/characters:
Better egg production compared to other country chicken Better adaptability to backyard/ free
range system. Tinted eggs/light brownish eggs. Better survivability. Low or negligible input
cost.
Management and health cover:
Chicks need brooding care during the initial 6 weeks of age. After 6 weeks, they can be let free
for scavenging in the backyard. The excess males can be reared separately and marketed for
meat purpose. The birds need to be initially habituated/trained to return to the nest in the

3. evening for night shelter/security/safety. The night shelter should have good ventilation and
protection from predators and plenty of clean water should be made available. The birds must
be vaccinated against Marek’s and Ranikhet diseases. There should be periodic de worming at
3-4 months intervals.
Chicken farming feed:
These types of chicks need balanced feed during the initial 6 weeks of age under nursery
rearing/brooding. In the nurseries, the chicks are reared on standard chick starter ration. For
the Grower birds in the second phase, besides the feed material available in the free range,
natural food/greens like waste grains germinated seeds, mulberry leaves, Alzola, drumstick
leaves and sublabel leaves (high protein sources). The need for extra feed depends on the free
range available, intensity of vegetation, availability of waste grains, insects, grass seeds. The
average body weight of 1.3 to 2.4 kgs. will be attained by 120 days and if required should be
provided with supplemental calcium sources like lime stone powder, stone grit, shell grit at 4
to 5 gms/bird/day. This approach yields successful results with high rate of survivability and
good egg production. The eggs laid are tinted and will have fairly good size.
Farming Management
Chicken Farming -Preparation of poultry shed/house:
After liquidation of old flock, the following operations are required to be created for clean and
healthy environment in the poultry house. Remove all the movable equipment from the shed.
Soak in water and clean thoroughly in tap water and finally dip in disinfectant solutions. Finally
wash in clean water, sun dry and store. Litter should be removed from the shed and transported
away from the farm enclosed containers or in gunny bags and disposed of properly. Lightings
and feed and water pans should also be taken out of the shed and cleaned properly.
Accumulated dust and cob web formed on the wall, ceiling, mesh etc., should be removed.
Insecticide is to be sprayed over the litter, walls, mesh, roof etc., Shed/Housing should be
washed using a pressure washer. All the repair works of the shed including cages, equipment
and mesh should be carried out. Water tank, pipeline and water channel in the shed be cleaned
thoroughly. First drain the water, fill the water lines with de-scaling and disinfectant agent
overnight. Flush with water for 2-3 times to remove all dirt and debris.
Flame guns should be used inside and outside of the houses. Walls should be white washed and
metal surfaces should be painted if needed. The equipment and fitting should be re-assembled
and the curtains be tied.
Spray an insecticide to kill the insects. Shed should be kept under lock (shed rest) for a
minimum of 2 to weeks.
Chicken Farming –
Floor brooding: Cover the floor (litter) of brooder with newspaper and arrange feeders, waters
etc., Check water system and adjust to proper height of chicks, Disinfect and flush water lines.
On arrival of chicks:
While placing chicks in the brooders, count the number of chicks placed in each portion cell to
ensure proper stocking density.

4. Fill water with clean water or operate water system. during the first six weeks, operate feeders
to provide feed more than twice daily. Check brooder temperatures. On placing chicks, trigger
water cups to encourage drinking.’ Provide the feed in mash or crumble form. Crumble/pellet
feed will ensure more uniform growth. Provide adequate light continuously during the first two
days. Electrolytes/antibiotic the chicks are comfortable, they will spread out evenly with in
chick guard area. If the hover temperature is too low the chicks will huddle together under
hover, whereas when the brooder temperature is high they tend to move away from hover. The
brooder should be started 8-10 hours before arrival of the chicks.
Chicken Farming – Floor Space:
The chick should be provided sufficient hover and floor space. Growth and feed conversion
ratio (FCR) are proportionate to floor space available for chicks, apart from the genetic
potential of the bird. Overcrowding results in stress and mortality chick requires 8 square inches
of hover space. In deep litter brooding 0.3 sq. ft. floor space per chick is to be provided during
the first week. During the 6th week, 1 sq. ft. floor space per chick is essential.
Chicken Farming – Relative humidity:
During the first week of brooding, the relative humidity should be 65.70% when the relative
humidity drops below 50% it results in dehydration of chicks, which may affect growth,
uniformity and liability of chicks. In houses where gas brooders and nipple drinkers are used,
relative humidity can drop down to as low as 25%. To maintain the required humidity frequent
spray of sanitized water is advised.
Chicken Farming – Ventilation:
Supply of fresh air to the chicks is highly essential. Brooding will cause depletion of oxygen
and build-up of carbon dioxide, ammonia etc., the airtight curtains should be avoided. It is
recommended to keep a gap of 3.5 inches between the ceiling and side curtains to facilitate gas
exchange between the house and environment. In extreme weather conditions curtains,
windows, doors and fans need to be effectively used to maintain optimum ventilation.
Chicken Farming – Feeders/Drinkers:
During the first day, feed may be sprinkled or provided in the trays for encouraging the new
born chicks to pick up feed. From day two onwards feed is provided in trough type of feeders.
As the chick grow bigger suitable feeders are used. The feeders should be at proper height for
the birds to eat properly. As chicks grow the feeder should be lifted up by adjusting their height
to the back level of the bird. The level of feed in feeder has a direct correlation with feed
wastage. As a thumb rule, 10 percent feed is wasted if the feeders are two thirds full compared
to 3 percent wastage if they are half full and only 1 percent if they are one third full. Therefore,
feed should be offered more frequently with small quantity at each time and helps to gain
weight more uniformly.
Feeder space allowance: Trough feeders 2.5cm – up to 2 weeks and 5cm –up to 6 weeks.
Drinkers space:
Clean and fresh water should be provided to the chicks’ drinkers from day old chicks should
be conveniently placed close to the hover and alternatively to feeders. Water may be provided
using troughs, bell shaped drinkers and caps. With these drinkers 0.75 inches (2 cm) of water

5. space per bird is recommended. Water should be provided before the chicks are released under
the brooders. Bell type chick drinkers are essential during first three days of brooding
irrespective of type of brooding. In deep litter brooding drinkers should be evenly distributed.
Height of the drinkers needs to be adjusted according to the chick height. One chick drinker is
enough for 100 chicks up to 2 weeks of age and regular bell drinker is sufficient for 50 birds
from third week onwards chick feed/grounded maize should be provided 2 hours after chicks
are placed under the brooder. During first week, frequent feeding of small quantity should be
practiced to stimulate feed consumption.
Beak trimming:
Trimming of beak is an important management practice. This is done to prevent cannibalism
and wastage of feed. Beak trimming is a sensitive operation and it should be done by trained
people. The beak trimming is done at 3rd week One third of the beak should be trimmed. There
are different, methods, cutting and cauterization with hot iron method is popular. Cauterization
helps in arresting and destroys the tissue responsible for generating beak growth. Proper care
should be taken not to burn the tongue of the chick. Use electrolytes and vitamin (K and C) in
the water two days before and after beak trimming. Deeper feed should be provided for several
days. Litter Management: Litter management place a vital role in controlling the disease in the
flock. When birds are housed on deep litter, placing of drinkers and their maintenance should
receive due attention to keep the litter dry. The litter should be stirred at regular intervals
depending on the environmental temperature, humidity, ventilation faecal moisture content,
quality of water system. In case of humid coastal areas, add about 0.5 kg of superphosphate /
hydrated lime may be thoroughly mixed up with litter spreading in 15 sq. Ft. floor area. Birds
are allowed to feed and libitum during the first few weeks of age. To ensure proper
development of feathers skeletal growth and immune system birds should be provided feed all
through the initial 4 and 5 weeks.
Grower Management:
The importance of growing systems is to provide growers an ideal environment to obtain
optimum body weight at sexual maturity so as to perform better during laying phases and
production phase. The main objective of the grower management is to achieve target body
weight and flock uniformity.
Housing:
Generally, the stock remains in the same building during brooding and growing. A floor space
of 2.75 and 2.80 sq. ft. per bird is required. During growing period as feed restriction is
followed. The level of feed restriction is as low as 40% of ad labium feeding.
Water Restrictions:
Where wet litter and wet droppings is more common, water restriction to be followed and birds
tend to consume more water during feed restriction. To prevent wet litter, water is turned on
one hour prior to feeding and kept available at least up to two hours after all the feed is
consumed. Water restriction is not advisable when the ambient temperature goes above 30oc.cs
supplementation in drinking water will reduce transportation and environmental stress and also
reduce initial chick mortality. Shed should be pressure washed again with a suitable
disinfectant solution.

6. Marketing:
There is always demand for country chicken, it is very likely the prices will go down. you can
get hold of any agent or deal with hotels or suppliers or big chicken brand shops.
Here are some methods of poultry farming like,
Free-range
Free-range poultry farming allows chickens to roam freely for a period of the day, although
they are usually confined in sheds at night to protect them from predators or kept indoors if the
weather is particularly bad. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs states that a
free-range chicken must have day-time access to open-air runs during at least half of its life.
Unlike in the many countries, this definition also applies to free-range egg laying hens. Many
countries regulate marketing standards for egg farming which specifies a minimum condition
for free-range eggs that "hens have continuous daytime access to open-air runs, except in the
case of temporary restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities". The RSPCA "Welfare
standards for laying hens and pullets" indicates that the stocking rate must not exceed 1,000
birds per hectare (10 m2
per hen) of range available and a minimum area of overhead
shade/shelter of 8 m2
per 1,000 hens must be provided.

7. Free-range farming of egg-laying hens is increasing its share of the market. Defra figures
indicate that 45% of eggs produced in the country throughout 2010 were free-range, 5% were
produced in barn systems and 50% from cages. This compares with 41% being free-range in
2009.
Suitable land requires adequate drainage to minimise worms and coccidia oocysts, suitable
protection from prevailing winds, good ventilation, access and protection from predators.
Excess heat, cold or damp can have a harmful effect on the animals and their productivity. Free-
range farmers have less control than farmers using cages in what food their chickens eat, which
can lead to unreliable productivity, though supplementary feeding reduces this uncertainty. In
some farms, the manure from free-range poultry can be used to benefit crops.
The benefits of free-range poultry farming for laying hens include opportunities for natural
behaviours such as pecking, scratching, foraging and exercise outdoors.
Both intensive and free-range farming have animal welfare concerns. Cannibalism, feather
pecking and vent pecking can be common, prompting some farmers to use beak trimming as a
preventative measure, although reducing stocking rates would eliminate these
problems. Diseases can be common and the animals are vulnerable to predators. Barn systems
have been found to have the worst bird welfare.
Organic
In organic egg-laying systems, chickens are also free-range. Organic systems are based upon
restrictions on the routine use of synthetic yolk colourants, in-feed or in-water medications,
other food additives and synthetic amino acids, and a lower stocking density and smaller group
sizes. The Soil Association standards used to certify organic flocks, indicate a maximum
outdoors stocking density of 1,000 birds per hectare and a maximum of 2,000 hens in each
poultry house. In the country, organic laying hens are not routinely beak-trimmed.
Yarding
While often confused with free-range farming, yarding is actually a separate method of poultry
culture by which chickens and cows are raised together. The distinction is that free-range
poultry are either totally unfenced, or the fence is so distant that it has little influence on their
freedom of movement. Yarding is common technique used by small farms. The birds are
released daily from hutches or coops. The hens usually lay eggs either on the floor of the coop
or in baskets if provided by the farmer. This husbandry technique can be complicated if used
with roosters, mostly because of aggressive behavior.
Battery cage

8. The majority of hens in many countries are housed in battery cages, although the many
countries has banned the conventional battery cage from January 2012. These are small cages,
usually made of metal in modern systems, housing 3 to 8 hens. The walls are made of either
solid metal or mesh, and the floor is sloped wire mesh to allow the faeces to drop through and
eggs to roll onto an egg-collecting conveyor belt. Water is usually provided by overhead nipple
systems, and food in a trough along the front of the cage replenished at regular intervals by a
mechanical chain.
The cages are arranged in long rows as multiple tiers, often with cages back-to-back (hence the
term 'battery cage'). Within a single shed, there may be several floors containing battery cages
meaning that a single shed may contain many tens of thousands of hens. Light intensity is often
kept low (e.g. 10 lux) to reduce feather pecking and vent pecking. Benefits of battery cages
include easier care for the birds, floor eggs which are expensive to collect are eliminated, eggs
are cleaner, capture at the end of lay is expedited, generally less feed is required to produce
eggs, broodiness is eliminated, more hens may be housed in a given house floor space, internal
parasites are more easily treated, and labour requirements are generally much reduced.
In farms using cages for egg production, there are more birds per unit area; this allows for
greater productivity and lower food costs. Floor space ranges upwards from 300 cm2
per hen.
Standards in 2003 called for at least 550 cm2
per hen. In the US, the current recommendation
by the United Egg Producers is 67 to 86 in2
(430 to 560 cm2
) per bird. The space available to
battery hens has often been described as less than the size of a piece of A4 paper. Animal
welfare scientists have been critical of battery cages because they do not provide hens with
sufficient space to stand, walk, flap their wings, perch, or make a nest, and it is widely
considered that hens suffer through boredom and frustration through being unable to perform
these behaviours. This can lead to a wide range of abnormal behaviours, some of which are
injurious to the hens or their cage mates.
Furnished cage
In 1999, the many countries banned conventional battery cages for laying hens throughout from
January 1, 2012; they were banned previously in some countries including Switzerland. In
response to these bans, development of prototype commercial furnished cage systems began in

9. the 1980s. Furnished cages, sometimes called 'enriched' or 'modified' cages, are cages for egg
laying hens which have been designed to overcome some of the welfare concerns of battery
cages whilst retaining their economic and husbandry advantages, and also provide some of the
welfare advantages of non-cage systems. Many design features of furnished cages have been
incorporated because research in animal welfare science has shown them to be of benefit to the
hens. Some welfare organization states furnished cages should provide at least 750 cm2
of cage
area per hen, 600 cm2
of which should be usable; the height of the cage other than that above
the usable area should be at least 20 cm at every point and no cage should have a total area that
is less than 2000 cm2
. In addition, furnished cages should provide a nest, litter such that pecking
and scratching are possible, appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen, a claw-
shortening device, and a feed through which may be used without restriction providing 12 cm
per hen.
Modern egg laying breeds often suffer from osteoporosis which results in the chicken's skeletal
system being weakened. During egg production, large amounts of calcium are transferred from
bones to create egg-shell. Although dietary calcium levels are adequate, absorption of dietary
calcium is not always sufficient, given the intensity of production, to fully replenish bone
calcium. This can lead to increases in bone breakages, particularly when the hens are being
removed from cages at the end of laying.
Poultry disease prevention and management
Routine preventative measures form the next line of defence against disease, after providing a
clean and hygienic environment through good poultry farming practices. Preventative
measures include:
 vaccination
 parasite control
 identifying and treating sick birds
 separating multi-age flocks
 practising routine biosecurity procedures between flocks and staff working with them.
Vaccination
Vaccination can prevent many poultry diseases. Follow a suitable vaccination program or only
buy appropriately vaccinated stock. You can request vaccination certificates from your supplier
when purchasing chicks or pullets.
Poultry vaccinations include:
 avian encephalomyelitis
 chicken anaemia
 egg drop syndrome 76 (EDS 76)
 fowl cholera
 fowl pox

10.  infectious bronchitis
 infectious bursal disease
 infectious coryza
 infectious laryngotracheitis
 Marek's disease
 Newcastle disease.
For breeders of poultry, when vaccinating:
 always follow the instructions on the label, including storage conditions
 use disposable syringes and needles
 discard all unused vaccines, syringes and needles in a proper manner
 be clean, but never use detergents or disinfectants near vaccination equipment. Do not
disinfect skin before vaccinating with fowl pox or Marek's HVT vaccine, as this will
kill the vaccine virus.
Check with your vaccine supplier or veterinarian for vaccine availability. Poultry Hub has more
information about vaccination types, procedures and handling.
Parasite control
Birds that are housed on the floor and have access to pastures and outdoor areas will have
greater exposure to internal and external parasites. For birds housed in these conditions, it is
important to have a prevention program in place and treat as required. This helps to minimise
physical stress and keep birds in good condition so they can resist disease. Control parasites
by:
 regularly inspecting birds for external parasites
 spraying or dusting birds thoroughly with an approved insecticide if you can see lice or
mites - spray the shed, perches and nests thoroughly, making sure the insecticide gets
into crevices
 cleaning sheds and rotating ranges to prevent worms
 regularly checking faecal material for any sign of worms
 always checking the label on worming treatments for withholding periods as some are
not suitable for production birds
 consulting a veterinarian.
Remove sick birds
Regularly observe your birds for any signs of ill health or problems within the flock such as
feather pecking. Remove sick chickens and other poultry from the main flock and obtain a
diagnosis from a qualified person. Sick birds usually appear different to healthy birds. You can
give the correct treatment once you identify the disease or problem. Keep ill birds quarantined

11. from the flock until completely recovered. If medication is given, it is important to adhere to
any withholding periods.
Multi-age flocks
When introducing younger birds into a flock of older birds, there is an increased risk of disease
transfer from the older birds to the younger birds. Older birds often build resilience to diseases
and disorders that younger birds have not been exposed to.
There may also be an increased risk of feather pecking and social issues when introducing new
birds to a flock.
It is preferable from a disease perspective to run single-aged flocks. However, if this is not
possible and you are running multi-age flocks:
 keep age groups separate - have an all-in and all-out system for each age group to allow
for a complete clean and disinfection of facilities and equipment between batches
 always start work with younger poultry and finish with the oldest.
 Types of birds’ accommodation
Various Methods of Poultry Farming
Many institutions in the world already described that, “about 74% of total poultry meat and
68% of total poultry eggs produced from intensive poultry farming method. Free range farming
is the other alternative method of intensive poultry farming. Free range farming method is used
for large number of poultry birds with high stocking density. There are some basic differences
between intensive and free-range poultry farming. Intensive poultry farming method is a highly
efficient system which saves, land, feed, labour and other resources and increases production.
In this system the poultry farming environment is fully controlled by the farmer. So, it ensures
continuous production throughout the year in any environment and seasons. Intensive poultry
farming has some disadvantages too. Some people says intensive system creates health risks,
abuse the animals and harmful for environment. On the other hand, free range poultry farming
method requires a large place for raising the birds and the production is about the same as
intensive method. However, in the case of both intensive and free-range poultry farming
method the producers must have to use nationally approved medications like antibiotics
regularly to keep the poultry birds free from diseases.
Layer Poultry Farming
The poultry birds which are raised for egg production are called layer poultry. Commercial hen
generally starts laying eggs at the age of 12-20 weeks. They start laying eggs regularly at their
25 weeks of age. After 70-72 weeks of age egg production of layer poultry get reduced. For
commercial layer poultry farming, producers generally keep the hens for 12 months from their
first laying period. And then sell them for slaughter purpose. Although chickens naturally
survive for more than 6 years. For re-invigorating egg laying, the hens are force moulted in
some countries. For commercial egg laying poultry farming systems, the environmental

12. conditions are often automatically controlled by the producers. For a simple example, presence
of light helps the bird for laying eggs earlier. So, the producers should provide more lightening
period to increase the probability of beginning laying eggs. The egg-laying birds lays more
eggs in warmer months than the cold months. So, keeping the temperature of the room
moderate will be very helpful for better egg production. Some commercial egg laying chicken
breeds can produce more than 300 eggs a year. Layer poultry are raised in various methods.
The common and most popular accommodation or layer poultry farming systems are described
shortly below.
 Free Range Farming: Free range poultry farming means providing freely roaming
facilities to the poultry birds for a certain period of a day. Although they are kept inside the
house at night to keep them free from predators and adverse weather. In free range farming
method, the poultry birds generally roam freely throughout the whole day. Which means
they spent half of their life outside the house. For free range poultry farming system select
a suitable land which has the facilities of adequate drainage system, good ventilation,
appropriate protection from prevailing winds, good protection from all types of predators
and free from excessive cold, heat or dampness. Excessive cold, heat and damp are very
harmful for poultry birds and reduce their productivity. This system also requires less feed
than cage and barn systems. The poultry manure from free range farming used as fertilizer
for crops directly. Although free range farming method is very suitable for poultry birds
but it has some difficulties too. In this system the poultry birds can be victim of predators
easily and may caught by various type of diseases.
 Organic Method: Organic layer poultry rearing system is also one type of free range
farming system. But the main differences between the two systems are, in free range
farming method a large numbers of poultry birds are raised together but in organic method
a certain species of poultry bird are raised in small group with low stocking density.
Organic laying system has some restrictions in the routine use of synthetic yolk colourants,

13. water, feed, medications, other feed additives and obviously a smaller group size with low
stocking density. In organic laying system the producer should keep highest 1000 poultry
birds per hector and maximum 2000 birds in each house.
 Yarding Method: Yarding poultry farming method is such a method in which cows and
chickens are raised together. The farmer makes a fence in his yard and keep all the poultry
birds and cattle there together. The birds and cattle have the freedom of movement inside
the fence. It is a very popular system used by small farmer.
 Battery Cage Method: Battery cage layer poultry rearing method is one of the very
common methods used in many countries. In this system usually, small sized metal cages
are used. Every cage can accommodate about 3 to 8 hens. The walls of the cages are
generally made of mesh or solid metal and the floor is made of sloped wire mesh which
allow the faeces to drop down. When the hens lay eggs, then all the eggs gather in the egg
collecting conveyor belt of the cage. In this system food is provided in front of the hens by
a long-bisected metal or plastic pipe and water served to them by using overhead nipple
systems. The cages are arranged in long rows in one above another system. There may have
several floors in a single shade which can keep many even thousands of hens together. For
reducing feather and vent pecking, the light intensity is generally kept lower than 10 lux.
The battery cage method has some benefits. The main benefits of battery cage are listed
below.
1. It is very easy to care for the birds.
2. Very easy to collect eggs.
3. Cleaner eggs.
4. Requires less feed to produce eggs.
5. Thousands of hens may be housed in a specific floor space of the house.
6. The birds suffer less by internal parasites.
7. Labour cost is very low.
 Materials and equipment which poultry birds need in their
accommodation for their health and hygiene
Keeping poultry healthy and preventing endemic infections
Poultry can be affected by a variety of diseases and parasites, some of which are endemic to
certain types of bird. You will need to introduce and maintain a strict hygiene programme to
keep diseases out of poultry. As well as carrying out stringent hygiene and biosecurity
measures, you will need to carry out vaccination or medication strategies to prevent and/or
control certain endemic diseases.
The two most serious diseases that you must keep out of poultry flocks are Newcastle disease
and avian influenza (bird flu). Other poultry diseases include chronic respiratory disease, fowl
cholera, Salmonella, Campylobacter and internal parasites. Salmonella and Campylobacter,

14. while highly contagious in poultry, are not necessarily life-threatening for fowl. These diseases
can however cause serious illness in humans if they get into the food chain.
Daily inspection of poultry by trained staff, in good lighting conditions, and independently of
any automatic surveillance equipment, is the best method to prevent serious outbreaks of
disease. Inspections will enable you to detect early signs of disease simply by noting changes
in the behaviour and condition of individual hens.
The early signs of ill health may include changes in food and water intake, in preening, in
‘chatter’ and in activity. There may also be a drop-in egg production and changes in egg quality
such as shell defects.
In addition to your own daily, or more frequent, inspections and those of your own veterinarian,
membership in the Poultry Health Scheme requires that a mandatory annual inspection and ad
hoc inspections be carried out by Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
(AHVLA) inspectors.
Under undomesticated conditions, poultry lay eggs in simple nests, perch in trees and spend
much of the day scavenging for feed. Chickens spend a large proportion of their time scratching
to expose hidden food. Under the backyard and semi-intensive production systems, poultry are
usually enclosed at night to discourage thieves and predators, and under intensive production,
are totally confined day and night. Some village households keep their few chickens inside the
house or even under their bed at night, to discourage theft.
Given a choice of a place to lay their eggs, hens will choose a soft “litter” base, and they prefer
an adequately sized (a cube of approximately 30 cm), darkened nest with some privacy. Prior
to laying, hens usually investigate a number of possible sites before entering a nest box. They
then show nesting behaviour, which includes a special protective nest-seeking voice, after
which they sit and finally lay. When they have laid an egg, they announce this with another
type of “pride of achievement” call. These calls can also be heard in a battery cage house. If
perches are provided, hens will perch most of the time rather than stand on the wire floors, and
after dark most birds roost on the perches. Perching is a probable survival characteristic to
avoid night predators. The basic requirements for poultry housing are:
 space;
 ventilation;
 light; and
 protection (from weather and predators).
Space: density of birds per unit area
This is the most important basic principle in housing, as the space available determines the
number and type of poultry that can be kept. For example, a deep litter house measuring 6 m
by 11 m can hold 200 laying hens at a stock density of 3 birds/m2
(3.6 ft2
/bird). Under the older
system of measuring, stock density was measured in ft2
per bird, which is the inverse of birds
per m2
used in the metric system, incorporating a conversion factor of 0.0929 m2
/ft2
.
Linear space or length of perch per bird is measured in centimetres. The recommended floor
and perching space for the three main types of chicken is shown in Table 4.1.

15. Table 4.1 Requirement of chickens for floor and perch space.
Chicken types Floor Space
(birds/m2)
Floor Space
(ft2/bird)
Perch Space
(per bird)
Layer 3 3.6 25 cm (10 in)
Dual Purpose 4 2.7 20 cm (8 in)
Meat 4-5 2.1-2.7 15-20 cm (6-8 in)
Hen groups are comfortable at a stock density of three to four birds per square metre. If more
space is allowed, a greater variety of behaviour can be expressed. Less space creates stressed
social behaviour, allowing disease vulnerability and cannibalism and leaving weaker birds
deprived of feed or perch space. Individual birds need more room for normal behaviour and
adequate exercise than the 22 birds/m2
(0.5 ft2
/bird) density currently used in commercial
laying cages. Over recent decades, animal welfare concerns have encouraged research on
laying cage structures to make designs better suited to the needs of hens, while retaining cost-
effectiveness for production.
Ventilation: air flow
Ventilation is an important factor in housing. A building with open sides is ideal, otherwise
cross-ventilation at bird-level should be allowed for in the form of floor level inlets, open in a
direction to allow the prevailing wind to blow across the width of the building. An air mass
between the side walls of a poultry house resists being moved, even across an open-sided
building. The wider the building, the more the resistant it is to air movement. Buildings over 8
m (26 ft) wide have a significantly greater problem because of this inherent property of air to
resist movement. It is recommended that buildings relying on natural airflow for ventilation
should not exceed 8 m in width.
Heat stress is a significant constraint to successful production and can lead to death. Although
birds can withstand several degrees below freezing, they do not tolerate temperatures over 40
°C. This depends on the relative humidity prevailing at the time. Poultry do not possess sweat
glands and must cool themselves by panting out water in their breath, which is evaporative
cooling. When the humidity is too high, this cooling mechanism does not work very well.
Lethal temperatures for most chickens are 46 °C upwards, and severe stress sets in above 40
°C. In temperate regions, the chicken house may be constructed to face the rising morning