ANSCI 105: Poultry Housing Design

Poultry housing in developing countries focuses on providing environments that meet birds' thermal needs.

Require supplemental heating because of poor temperature control ability.

Expensive to build and operate, but are equipped to control the climate.

Popular for lower construction and running costs in developing countries.

Most common in developing countries, featuring minimal shelter.

Sometimes vertically integrated, with companies owning all stages from breeding to processing.

Uses multi-tier cage systems to meet the thermal comfort needs of laying hens.

Provide ideal thermal environments for poultry, leading to better performance.

The process of supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide, other waste gases, and dust from poultry houses.

A method of providing heat to young chicks using heat radiating from a source.

Medium sized commercial houses that rely on natural airflow for ventilation.

Poultry houses constructed typically with local building materials, often having multiple compartments for different stages of the poultry cycle.

A system where poultry are housed in shelters made from local materials, allowing for foraging during the day.

A method of providing heat using circulated air.

Provides oxygen and removes waste gases, like carbon dioxide, and dust.

Cages used for keeping laying hens, often in open sheds or with wire sides to restrict other birds.

Lower ventilation levels used in colder climates to retain heat.

Ventilation system that uses exhaust fans to draw air through the house, removing heat, moisture, and dust.

Cooling pads used at ventilation inlets to reduce air temperature by evaporating water, creating a cooling effect.

Systems that release a fine mist to cool the house, best utilized in dry climates.

Ventilation relying on natural breezes or wind patterns to provide airflow.

To create optimal environmental conditions for poultry for enhanced performance and health.

Air should be directed towards the roof for mixing with warm air to circulate the entire shed when birds are young or in colder climates.

Broody hens are naturally successful at hatching chicks under ideal conditions.

Successful artificial hatching relies on precise environmental control (temperature, humidity, ventilation, egg turning).

Eggs lose water vapor through their shells during incubation, impacted by shell structure and environmental humidity.

Poultry management includes checking bird health, appropriate housing (brooding, rearing, growing, laying), vaccinations, and nutrition.

High-producing commercial hybrids perform well in ideal conditions, but vulnerable to tropical environments and dietary changes.

Indigenous breeds adapt better to tropical and challenging conditions than commercial hybrids.

Heat/cold stress, poor ventilation, and poor air quality impact poultry welfare and performance.

Poultry house design needs to accommodate environmental conditions (temperature, ventilation) and ensure the welfare of the birds.

A strict isolation program to prevent disease spread among poultry flocks.

A schedule of administering vaccines to protect poultry against specific diseases.

The specific amounts of essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, that poultry need for optimal growth and health.

Using locally available ingredients, such as grains and legumes, to create poultry feed.

Properly storing small but essential feed components, like vitamins and minerals, to ensure their effectiveness.

Cleaning and disinfecting poultry sheds to prevent the spread of diseases.

Using appropriate bedding materials and maintaining their condition to ensure comfort, hygiene, and disease control.

Material used as bedding in poultry houses, absorbing waste and providing a comfortable floor.

Light influences egg production in chickens. Increasing day length promotes sexual maturity and egg laying, while decreasing day length has the opposite effect.

Maintaining a consistent day length (12-16 hours) during rearing delays sexual maturity, resulting in healthier birds and potentially better egg production.

The practice of skilled poultry care that goes beyond basic tasks. It involves understanding bird behavior, recognizing signs of distress, and ensuring optimal welfare.

Good stockpersonship benefits both the birds and the farmer. It reduces stress, improves health, and maximizes production efficiency.

Laying eggs too early in a bird's life can increase the risk of reproductive problems.

Stockpersons must be able to quickly identify any changes in the flock or their environment, including physical, chemical, or microbiological threats.

Record keeping allows farmers to track production, identify and solve problems, and improve future management practices.

By identifying and addressing problems early, farmers can prevent them from becoming more severe and impacting production.