The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Poultry Cage System
1. What Type of Cage System Is Right for My Farm?
Selecting the correct cage system depends on flock size, land availability, budget, and production goals. The most common options are:
A-Type Layer Cage — suitable for small and medium farms; lower investment; easy installation.
H-Type Layer Cage — ideal for large-scale farms; higher density; fully automatic.
H-Type Broiler Cage — designed for fast-growing broilers with high efficiency.
Chick Rearing Cage — used for 1–30 day-old chicks before transfer to layer cages.
Farmers often ask which one is best. In general:
Small farms: A-type
Growing farms: A-type or H-type (semi-automatic)
Large commercial farms: Fully automatic H-type
2. Does Cage Material Affect Durability?
Yes. The quality of the wire significantly impacts lifespan. Farmers should understand:
Hot-dip galvanized cages last 15–20 years
Cold galvanized cages last 5–8 years
Electro-galvanized cages are cheaper but shorter-lived
High-zinc coating cages provide superior corrosion resistance
Choosing better material reduces long-term replacement and maintenance costs.
3. How Much Land Do I Need for a Poultry Cage System?
Land requirement depends on:
Number of birds
Number of tiers
Type of system (manual, semi-auto, fully auto)
For example, 10,000 layers require:
A-type (4-tier): approx. 350–450 m²
H-type (8-tier): approx. 200–250 m²
Higher tiers = much smaller land footprint.
4. Is Automation Necessary?
Not required, but highly recommended. Automation reduces:
Labor costs
Feed waste
Mortality rate
Daily maintenance load
Automatic systems include:
Feeding
Drinking
Egg collection
Manure cleaning
Ventilation
Farms over 5,000 birds greatly benefit from automated equipment.
5. What’s the Expected Return on Investment?
ROI depends on productivity, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and egg prices. Farms using automated systems typically achieve:
Faster production cycles
Higher egg production
Lower labor cost
Better bird health
Most farms recover the equipment cost within 6–18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Farm Construction and House Design
1. What Is the Ideal Poultry House Size?
House dimensions depend on:
Bird capacity
Type of cages
Number of aisles
Ventilation design
A typical H-type cage house for 20,000 layers is approx.:
Length: 80–100 m
Width: 12–16 m
Height: 4.5–6 m
Farmers should adjust based on climate and equipment design.
2. Should I Use Open or Closed Houses?
Closed houses are strongly recommended, especially in hot regions. Benefits include:
Controlled temperature
Stable humidity
Better disease prevention
Higher egg production
Open houses are cheaper but often lead to large temperature fluctuations.
3. What Ventilation System Is Required?
Ventilation ensures ideal temperature, removes ammonia, and protects bird health. Two main systems:
Tunnel ventilation
Side-wall ventilation
Tunnel ventilation improves cooling efficiency and is suitable for large houses.
4. What Flooring Materials Should Be Used?
The floor must be:
Strong
Moisture-resistant
Easy to clean
Able to support heavy cage structures
Concrete flooring is recommended for long-term durability.
5. Do I Need a Generator or Solar Backup?
Yes. Equipment such as feeding and ventilation systems require stable power. Farms should install:
Diesel generator
Optional solar system
Voltage stabilizer
Power failure in hot weather can lead to rapid bird losses.
Common Questions About Poultry Feeding Systems
1. What Feeding System Should I Choose?
Options include:
Manual feeding — suitable only for very small farms
Semi-automatic feeding trolley — mid-range farms
Fully automatic feeding line — large houses
The choice depends on scale, budget, and labor availability.
2. How Much Feed Waste Does Automation Reduce?
Manual feeding waste can reach 10–20%.
Automatic feeding reduces waste to 0–3%, saving significant money annually.
3. What Feed Should I Use for Layers and Broilers?
Common recommendations:
Layers: 16–18% protein
Broilers (starter): 20–23% protein
Broilers (finisher): 18–20% protein
Feed formulations vary by region; working with a local nutritionist is helpful.
4. How to Prevent Clogged Feed Lines?
Causes include:
Excess moisture
Poor-quality feed
Overmixing of powder and grain
Damaged augers
Solutions:
Use dry, consistent feed
Regular cleaning
Install proper feed silos
5. How Do I Calculate Daily Feed Consumption?
General rules:
Layers: 105–120 g per bird/day
Broilers: varies from 20 g to 150 g depending on age
Automatic systems provide more accurate consumption monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Systems and Litter Management
1. What Drinking System Is Best for Modern Farms?
Nipple drinking systems are the global standard because they:
Prevent water contamination
Keep litter dry
Reduce disease
Provide consistent water supply
Open drinking systems are outdated and risky.
2. How Often Should Water Lines Be Cleaned?
Daily flushing is recommended.
Deep cleaning with disinfectant should be done:
Weekly for large farms
After every batch for broiler houses
Clean water lines = healthy birds = better productivity.
3. How to Prevent Wet Litter Problems?
Wet litter causes odor, bacteria, and disease. Solutions:
Proper ventilation
Nipples instead of open drinkers
Daily manure removal belts
Correct humidity control
H-type cages are especially effective at reducing moisture.
4. Why Is Ammonia Control Important?
High ammonia levels cause:
Respiratory disease
Reduced egg production
Poor feed conversion
Increased mortality
Modern manure belt systems reduce ammonia drastically.
5. Should I Use Water Filters?
Yes. Filters remove sediment and impurities, protecting the drinking line.
Recommended:
5-micron filter
10-micron filter
Optional UV sterilization
Clean water equals better flock health.
Answers to the Most Common Questions About Shipping, Installation, and Maintenance
1. How Are Poultry Cages Shipped?
Cages are shipped as:
Pre-cut steel materials
Welded cage fronts
Accessories (drinking lines, connectors, motors, etc.)
They are packed compactly to reduce shipping cost.
2. Do You Provide Installation Support?
Yes. Most manufacturers offer:
On-site engineer installation
Remote video guidance
Engineering drawings
Operation training
Large farms almost always choose professional installation.
3. How Long Does Installation Take?
Depends on farm size:
5,000–10,000 birds: 7–15 days
20,000–50,000 birds: 20–35 days
Full farm automation: 1–3 months
Complex systems require more time.
4. What Maintenance Is Required?
Daily:
Check motors
Observe drinking lines
Inspect feeders
Ensure belts run smoothly
Monthly:
Lubricate mechanical parts
Tighten bolts
Clean silos
Yearly:
Deep cleaning
Replace worn-out parts
5. What After-Sales Support Can I Expect?
Professional suppliers provide:
1–5 year warranty
Spare parts support
Online technical service
Long-term maintenance guidance
A reliable supplier ensures your equipment runs efficiently for decades.