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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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