POULTRY HOUSING

A house is the most important component in poultry production.

Investments in housing constitute 85% of the total capital investments.

It is a long term investment.

Opportunity for use of family labour and local resources.

Importance of Housing

Poultry houses should protect birds from;

Extreme weather.

Predators.

Theft.

Housing helps in better management e.g. Feeding, Disease control, Breeding etc

Provides chicken with comfort.

Efficient Production(Provide shelter for egg laying & broody Hens).

Characteristics of a good house

Comfortable and relaxing to the birds.

Able to provide sufficient space.

Cool during hot weather and warm

during cold weather.

Protect birds against rain, sunlight

and wind.

Site selectionSelect a site where there were no previous

poultry activities.

Land should be even and elevated.

If rectangular the length should run from east to west to minimize sunlight inside.

Site should not be water logged.

Scope for plenty of light and good aeration.

Site should be easily accessible.

Adequate water should be available.

Located away from the residence but close enough to keep away predators and thieves.

Chicken houses should be constructed in isolated areas to decrease the risk of contamination.

Flock Housing

An ALL IN ALL OUT system is the best practice It prevents the build up of diseases.

Note:

Flocks of different ages SHOULD/MUST be housed separately.

Housing Design & Construction Materials

Poultry houses vary depending on availability of materials, and weather.

The rest of the wall should have wire mesh of a small gauge to prevent wild birds and rodents from entering.

A foot bath should be placed at the

entrance.

The rest of the wall should have wire mesh of a small gauge to prevent wild birds and rodents from entering.

A foot bath should be placed at the

entrance.

Stocking Density

Space requirement

Depends with age, size and

environment

Insufficient space will slow growth,

increase mortality and disease

incidence.

Deep Litter house stocking density.

Age (weeks) Bird per m2

1-4 20

5-10 10

11-18 8

19-78 4

Slatted Floor 8-10 birds per square metre.

Distance between houses

When more than single house are

constructed in the same area, a

minimum distance of 15m between

houses is recommended.

This allow for good ventilation and

minimizes house to house spreading

of diseases.

VentilationVentilation serves several functions;

Removing excess heat and moisture

Providing clean air (oxygen)

Removing harmful gases

Reducing dust from the air

Ventilation can be managed by opening and closing the curtains. curtains are often made from gunny bags stitched together.

Continuation ;ventilation

If the poultry house is to be located

near the family house , care should

be taken so airflow is not obstructed.

Opening the northern and southern

sides helps in better ventilation of the

house.

A high pitch roof assists natural

ventilation by increasing movement of

air by convection and reduces radiant

heat from the roof to the bird level.

Insulation

Insulation is recommended to assist in

temperature regulation during hot

weather.

Open sides should have curtains to

help control temperature during

brooding.

Vegetation around the poultry house

such as trees will reduce the amount

of reflected heat entering –vegetation

should not inhibit air circulation.

Roof and floor

Roof should be made of insulated

material such as clay tiles or insulated

iron sheets.

The roof should have a projection of 2

ft in the northern and southern sides

to prevent splashing of rain water.

Concrete floors facilitates better

cleaning and helps to avoid water

seepage.

Raised slatted floors are recommended

in hot areas.

Side cover/door entrance

The northern and southern sides will

have plastered walls of 3ft in height

from the ground.

The rest should be closed with

chicken wire reinforced with wire

mesh.

The door should be 6 ft in length and

2.5 ft in width with a provision at the

entrance for a footbath filled with

disinfectant.

Rat proofing

To prevent the entry of rats and

snakes it is desirable to adopt rat

proofing by embedding with the wall a

horizontal slab at 1.5 inch height all

around the house.

Aids for cooling

Whitewash the external surface of the

house to reduce inside temperature

Provide sufficient “overhang” of the roof to

avoid direct sunlight heating up the wall

Use good insulation materials for roof and

walls for e.g. thatch, straw, plant leaves

etc.

Hanging wet gunny bags on the sides.

Increasing the watering equipment in the

house.

Avoid feeding the birds during the hot

weather and instead feed during the cool

hours.

Perches

Perches are important for

chicken to roost on at night &

during Day time.

To reduce boredom which can

lead to vices.

Reduce external Parasite.

Perches are best made from rounded

sticks, which should match the size of

the birds feet.

Each one-meter perch may roost five

adult birds.

They should be treated using engine

oil or kerosene to keep away

parasites.

Nests

Laying nests ease egg collection and help

avoid dirty and cracked eggs.

Removing eggs continuously from the

nests is important to stop hens from being

broody.

Types of nests

Battery &communal nest, where more

than one hen lays at the same time.

Communal nest

Individual nests where one hen lays

at a time, nest measures 45cm by

45cm by 45cm.

Battery Laying Nest

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