Broiler Chicken Housing

Broiler Chicken

Housing

• Broiler chickens are typically raised in large groups in specialized buildings called broiler houses
• Broiler houses are designed to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for the birds
• Key features of broiler houses:
  • Climate control systems to regulate temperature and humidity
  • Ventilation systems to maintain air quality
  • Lighting systems to simulate natural daylight
  • Litter management systems to maintain cleanliness
• Broiler chickens are usually raised on litter (e.g., pine shavings or rice hulls) to promote cleanliness and comfort

Diseases

• Broiler chickens are susceptible to various diseases, including:
  • Respiratory diseases (e.g., Infectious Bronchitis, Newcastle disease)
  • Gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Necrotic enteritis, Coccidiosis)
  • Bacterial diseases (e.g., Avibacterium paragallinarum, Salmonella)
• Diseases can be controlled through:
  • Vaccination programs
  • Good husbandry practices (e.g., sanitation, hygiene)
  • Antibiotic therapy (under veterinary guidance)

Nutrition

• Broiler chickens have specific nutritional requirements, including:
  • Protein (e.g., soybean meal, fish meal)
  • Energy (e.g., corn, wheat)
  • Vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin A, calcium)
• Feed formulations are designed to meet the birds' nutritional needs at different stages of growth
• Feed additives (e.g., antibiotics, enzymes) may be used to enhance growth performance and health

Processing

• Broiler chickens are processed in a series of steps, including:
  • Stunning (rendering the bird unconscious)
  • Killing (bleeding)
  • Scalding (removing feathers)
  • Evisceration (removing internal organs)
  • Chilling (cooling the carcass)
• Processing plants must adhere to strict food safety guidelines to ensure the production of safe and wholesome poultry products

Egg Fertilization (not directly related to broiler chickens, but rather breeding programs)

• In breeding programs, eggs are fertilized through artificial insemination (AI) or natural mating
• Fertilization occurs when sperm from the rooster fertilizes the egg yolk in the oviduct of the hen
• Fertilized eggs are then incubated for 21 days to produce chicks

Broiler Chicken Production

Housing

• Broiler chickens are raised in large groups in specialized buildings called broiler houses, designed to provide a comfortable and healthy environment.
• Broiler houses feature climate control, ventilation, and lighting systems to regulate temperature, humidity, and air quality.
• Litter management systems maintain cleanliness, and broiler chickens are raised on litter (e.g., pine shavings or rice hulls) for comfort and cleanliness.

Disease Management

• Broiler chickens are susceptible to respiratory diseases (e.g., Infectious Bronchitis, Newcastle disease), gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Necrotic enteritis, Coccidiosis), and bacterial diseases (e.g., Avibacterium paragallinarum, Salmonella).
• Disease control methods include vaccination programs, good husbandry practices (e.g., sanitation, hygiene), and antibiotic therapy (under veterinary guidance).

Nutrition and Feed

• Broiler chickens require a specific diet including protein (e.g., soybean meal, fish meal), energy (e.g., corn, wheat), vitamins, and minerals (e.g., vitamin A, calcium).
• Feed formulations are designed to meet nutritional needs at different growth stages, and feed additives (e.g., antibiotics, enzymes) may be used to enhance growth performance and health.

Processing and Slaughter

• Broiler chickens are processed in a series of steps: stunning, killing, scalding, evisceration, and chilling, following strict food safety guidelines.
• Processing plants must adhere to these guidelines to ensure safe and wholesome poultry products.

Breeding Programs (Egg Fertilization)

• In breeding programs, eggs are fertilized through artificial insemination (AI) or natural mating.
• Fertilization occurs when sperm from the rooster fertilizes the egg yolk in the oviduct of the hen.
• Fertilized eggs are incubated for 21 days to produce chicks.