As a broiler farmer, choosing the right feeding system is key to running a successful farming business. It can improve farming efficiency, return on investment and sustainability. Today, there are two main models of broiler farming: floor feeding and caged. So, which one should you choose? It depends on the size of your farm, your investment budget and your personal preference.
Floor raising system
The floor feeding system, common in small-scale broiler farming, provides a more natural environment for broilers. In this system, broilers are raised on a thick layer of litter (usually wood chips or straw) and can move around and forage in open space. Here is a breakdown of the main advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of ground raising
1. Enhanced animal welfare: Broilers have more space to move around.
2. Low equipment investment: Floor flat farming has lower requirements for chicken houses, less investment and simple equipment.
3. Controllable stocking density: Floor farming can control the stocking density according to actual conditions and reduce the probability of chickens being injured.
Disadvantages of ground raising:
1. Higher labor costs: Floor systems usually require more labor for litter management, daily monitoring and cleaning.
2. Increased risk of disease: Broilers raised on the ground are susceptible to diseases and bacteria, and are also susceptible to attacks by snakes and rats, causing losses.
3. Higher feed costs: Due to ground-raising chickens, broilers may need more feed due to increased activity.
4. Strong odor in the chicken house: The excrement and feces of the chickens are not easy to clean, which will cause certain pollution in and around the chicken house, and there will be more flies and mosquitoes.
Cage farming
The cage system is now a popular model for broiler breeding, aiming to achieve large-scale breeding and management. Broilers are raised in uniquely designed H-shaped cages to save land space.
Advantages of cage equipment:
1. High stocking density
It can effectively utilize building space, increase the amount of breeding per unit area, and improve the utilization rate of chicken houses. Livi Farming’s new chain-type broiler cages can raise 120 chickens per group of cages, and the breeding scale of a single house is 60k-80k chickens.
2. Fast growth rate
The automatic feeding system can be adjusted according to the feed intake of the flock, controlling the feed-to-meat ratio, and the flock can be produced in 45 days.
3. Improve biosafety
Cages can effectively isolate the flock and limit the spread of infectious diseases.
4. Easier management
The environmental monitor can monitor the temperature and humidity in the chicken house, and there will be an alarm prompt in abnormal conditions. It is convenient to catch chickens when transferring and releasing the flock, and the chicken house is easy to clean.
5. Reduce labor
Automatic feeding and drinking systems minimize the labor requirements for daily tasks.
Top Poultry Equipment Suppliers
Livi farming provides poultry farming services in more than 50 countries around the world. We have floor systems and advanced cage equipment. We will recommend the right operation model for you based on the scale of your operation.
No matter which rearing system you choose, we will provide you with a complete range of poultry farming equipment and solutions to help you start your poultry farming career.
