Poultry farming, just like every other aspect of Agriculture, is a very gainful business to venture into. The opportunities for making money from it are quite abounding; from the meat to eggs, droppings and features, the number of products/by-products that can be gotten from breeding domesticated birds is really blossoming. However, to make it a profitable venture, there is a need for one to engage in the best practice and that entails having the right set of tools available to start up the business. One of the essentials is to have a housing system in place. This is why we have decided to review two commonly used intensive housing systems in poultry farming; the systems under review here are the battery cage system and deep litter system.

The battery cage system
This housing system is characterized by the breeding of domesticated birds in a compartmentalized space that is, cage which is usually made of metal mesh. Aside the space occupied by the bird, the cage also normally features a gutter wherein eggs [that have been laid by the hen] roll into and troughs for providing the animal with feeds and water. There are different types of battery cage with a variety of designs. Despite the fact that this type of housing system is widely embraced by poultry farmers, its use does arouse some controversies as animal rights activists see the system to have negative impact on the welfare of the birds.

Pros

  • Space optimization: The battery cage housing system is especially recommended for poultry farmers who may not have so much space available for the deep litter system. The possibility of having 60 – 120 birds per unit (of the battery cage) ensures that the farmer makes the most of the land area available to him.

  • Promotes better management: The well-planned arrangements of birds under this system makes it easy for the farmer to keep records of his stock, and also monitor the health of the birds without hassle. Cleaning of the breeding space can be done with ease and the birds have better access to feeds and water.

  • It is more hygienic and minimizes the incidence of disease infestation. The design of the cage ensures that droppings fall out of it through the opening at the bottom thus the birds do not have to put up with excreta for long. Again, keeping birds in this system helps the farmer to better manage and/or control the spread of diseases.

  • Reduces loss: Losses that could arise from cannibalism, diseases and malnutrition are put in check under the battery cage housing system. Hence, the poultry farmer gets to have more returns on his investment in the long run.

Cons

  • Restricts the movement of the bird: This is about the major reason why animal rights activists have been campaigning against the use of the battery cage system. Birds kept in cages rarely have room for exercises such as wing flapping, dust-bathing, nesting and other physical activities that can promote their healthy well-being.

  • Leads to birds having cuts in the feet: This is another issue that is often reported when birds are kept in battery cages. But this can be properly addressed with the employment of quality metal mesh [as well as credible machinery] for the fabrication of the cage.

  • Somewhat expensive to set up: Compared to the deep litter system, the battery cage housing is pretty expensive to set up and manage. Nonetheless, it is yet cost-effective when you consider the benefits derivable from it.

The deep litter system
The deep litter system involves the use of materials such as chopped straws, groundnut kernel and saw dust as bedding on the floor of the pen where the birds are bred. The system is indeed economical but it does come with some challenges and can be limiting in terms of the number of birds that can be reared at a particular point in time.

Pros

  • It’s economical; it does not require so much capital to set up, and it is not as labour intensive as the battery cage system.

  • Gives the birds enough room to move around. Provided it is well managed, and overcrowding is effectively put in check, the birds’ movement is not restricted as one would have it in the battery cage system. Plus, birds housed inn the deep litter system are very active and can easily mingle with one another.

  • The litter used as beddings in this system can serve as a sort of protection for the birds during hot or cold weather.

Cons

  • The rate at which diseases spread is really high with this system since the birds get to mingle together; they can easily get infected when there is any incidence of disease outbreak.

  • The feeds and water are not always evenly distributed thus the growth rate [that are of same age] may be severely affected.

  • In the event of aggression, the probability of cannibalism can be very high when birds are bred under this system. There is a likelihood of the bigger stock overpowering the smaller one.

  • Record keeping could prove daunting in this case. Again, the eggs produced in the deep litter system are dirty in most cases.

Conclusion
Though concerns have been raised regarding the use of the battery cage system, it remains the better of the two intensive systems under review here. It is more profitable and will ensure that poultry farmers are well able to effectively manage his business. It is however important that consideration be given to the space available for the bird in the cage. A cage built to the specification – of 147.6’’ X 147.6’’ with a height of 17.7” – of the European Union should be a good fit.