Parameters of poultry housing facilities

Before starting poultry farming, a breeder should obtain as much information as possible related to the specific species being kept—its characteristics, feeding habits, and, last but not least, the requirements that the housing facility must meet. This article focuses specifically on housing, or rather, on the equipment and parameters of poultry facilities.

General Conditions for Poultry Housing

Before building a housing facility, it is necessary to determine how many animals will be kept in the given space. Will the facility serve only for overnight housing, or will the birds remain inside for longer periods during the winter months or during the breeding season when they are grouped into breeding flocks without access to an outdoor run?

General rules for constructing animal housing include ensuring a dry, well-ventilated environment without drafts, with good natural lighting and windows ideally facing southeast to provide maximum sunlight exposure inside the coop. These basic parameters apply to all types of poultry. Poultry can be divided into ground-feeding (scratching) birds and waterfowl, as their ethological needs differ.

If both groups are kept at the same location, they should be housed in separate coops and, ideally, separate outdoor runs. It is advisable to install lighting with a timer in the coop to extend daylight hours during the winter months, which helps stimulate egg production. Housing for both ground-feeding poultry and waterfowl should be insulated to prevent temperatures from dropping below freezing. This is especially important for chicken breeds with large combs to prevent frostbite, and also during the laying period of hatching eggs to avoid damage caused by chilling.

Ground-Feeding Poultry

The housing parameters for ground-feeding poultry are as follows. Birds must be allowed to perch, as this is a natural part of their behavior. Perches should be installed as the highest point in the coop, spaced approximately 40 cm apart. The perches should have a rectangular or batten shape, generally about 4 cm wide, with rounded edges. Under no circumstances should perches have a circular cross-section, as increased pressure could lead to deformation of the breastbone.

The width and strength of the perch must be adapted to the size and weight of the species and breed. For example, wide and sturdy perches are necessary for Narragansett turkeys, where males can reach weights of up to 20 kg. In contrast, bantams, which weigh less than one kilogram, require narrower and less reinforced perches.

It is advisable to install a dropping board under the perches, where manure accumulates while the hens are roosting. This makes cleaning the coop easier.

Another essential piece of equipment is nesting boxes. There are several options. Litter-based nests with straw, suitable especially for birds intended for natural rearing, where hens incubate and raise their chicks themselves. Non-litter systems, more suitable for laying hens producing table eggs, as they reduce contamination of the eggs.

It is also recommended to place feeders and drinkers inside the coop. This prevents access by wild birds to the feed, protecting the flock from feed losses and from the introduction of infectious diseases. It also encourages poultry to return voluntarily to the coop.

Today, there is a wide range of feeders available on the market. These can be used for mash or pelleted complete feed mixtures, while others are suitable for homemade feed blends. Additionally, a smaller feeder should be provided with grit or dried crushed eggshells as a source of minerals. The drinker should be easy to clean and should always provide the poultry with sufficient clean, safe water.