Cage keeping of chickens at home: dimensions and planting density

Keeping chickens in specially equipped cages is a suitable option for farms with large livestock. You can build cages for laying hens yourself or purchase and install ready-made structures. Adhering to the cage keeping of chickens, you will need to take into account a number of rules in order to ensure a comfortable existence for the birds.

Features of cage keeping of chickens

To properly organize the maintenance of birds, you need to study the features of their life. One of the main features of domestic chickens is the need for free range.The egg production index directly depends on the physical activity and the duration of the birds' stay in the open air. A yard should be built next to the chicken coop and birds should be released into it periodically.

In conditions of cellular placement, chickens will not be able to fully reproduce. Since, due to their aggressive nature, it is not recommended to restrict the freedom of roosters by adding them to females, it is worth releasing them into the courtyard at the same time as laying hens.

When choosing the method of keeping birds in question, you must also take care of providing basic needs, including ambient temperature, lighting conditions and air ventilation. When creating conditions, the age of the hens must be taken into account, since young animals and adults have their own requirements for proper development.

Pros and cons

The spread of cellular content is due to a large number of positive aspects. Key benefits include:

Possibility of breeding chickens in a small area or in the same room with cattle.
Easy for daily care, feeding, waste disposal and egg collection.
Easy control of the condition of birds, inspection and selection of unsuitable individuals due to the fact that the chickens are constantly in sight.
Protection from interaction with wild birds that carry dangerous infectious diseases.
Feed savings achieved by fixing the feeder externally, eliminating food spills.
Separation of chicks and adult hens in different places.
Easy to collect eggs from special trays, minimizing the chance of pecking and crushing.

In addition to a number of advantages, there are several negative characteristics. Specifically:

Limited space will keep the chickens from moving. Inactivity and infrequent outdoor walking negatively affects productivity.
In order to provide all the amenities for the birds, you will need to install automatic feeders and drinkers, as well as maintain a certain temperature. This will increase labor and material costs.
Certain breeds of chickens are not genetically inclined to be kept in confined spaces.
Short exposure to the sun reduces resistance to disease, causing some hens to become depressed.

How to choose the right cage?

When choosing a cage, it should be taken into account that laying hens are characterized by low mobility and relatively small size. The most suitable material for the manufacture of the structure is a metal mesh.The dimensions of the net must be selected in such a way that the birds cannot fall out of the cage. The floor inside the cage should be at an angle of 7-9 degrees. The optimal space between the floor and the waste container is at least 12 cm.

Breeds suitable for cage keeping

For growing in cages, breeds of chickens in egg directions are more suitable than others. Among them are varieties of Hisex Brown, Leghorn and Lohman Brown. These breeds easily adapt to new environmental conditions, and with a constant stay in a closed space, the productivity indicator does not deteriorate.

How to make a cage with your own hands

To take into account your own requirements for the location of laying hens, you can make a cage yourself. During the construction process, it will be necessary to draw up a drawing indicating the dimensions of the structure, calculate the planting density and provide for arrangements for the comfortable existence of birds.

Sizes

Regardless of the material from which the cage will be made, there are standard dimensions for a four-tier structure. The width is 145 cm, the height is 180 cm, the depth is 70 cm. The bottom of the cage is made of a mesh material with a line diameter of 2.5 mm.

Under the base you need to place a waste collection tray at a distance of 8-10 cm. The front wall is made of a mesh with a thicker diameter than the bottom, and an inlet is cut out.

Bird density

The number of chickens in one cage depends on the free space inside. In order for the birds to develop correctly and lay eggs, at least 0.2 squares are required for one adult. As a rule, stocking density does not exceed 5-6 animals per facility.

If you want to transfer birds from free-range conditions to a limited space, you should double the internal area.Lack of freedom after living in the wild can lead to a stop in laying. Laying hens should be accustomed to new places gradually, reducing the area over time. It is recommended to keep birds of the same age and breed in one cage.

Lighting and temperature

Inside the cells you need to equip artificial light sources. The presence of lighting is important for hens of egg breeds and affects productivity. Lighting should be uniform, the presence of dark or too light corners is unacceptable. Rheostats allow you to create smooth lighting, which adjust the brightness level and gradually begin to illuminate the space.

The microclimate in the cells also plays an important role. The optimum temperature for laying hens is in the range of 20-27 degrees. Suitable atmospheric humidity is 50-70%.

Necessary equipment for arranging cages

Equip chicken cages with a basic set of equipment. Birds need feeders, drinkers, ventilation, lighting and heating devices.

How to properly keep chickens

To keep laying hens at home, you need to take into account a number of rules. In order for the birds to actively develop and maintain a high rate of productivity, an integrated approach will be required.

Food

You can feed the birds with ready-made combined feeds that contain all the necessary nutritional components, or with natural products. In the diet of birds, you can include corn grits, grated vegetables, greens. When using compound feed, add it to the feeders as you use it. Other foods should be given to birds several times a day on a schedule.

Chickens should always have clean water in drinkers.

Cage cleaning

It is recommended to shake out the droppings from the pallets and carry out basic cleaning of the cages daily. The presence of dirt, falling feathers and other waste leads to the spread of parasites and diseases of birds. Once a quarter, you should perform a large-scale cleaning of the entire chicken coop, purify the air and disinfect the room.

Prevention of diseases and parasites

Most chicken diseases and vermin infestations are caused by poor housing conditions. Recommended preventive measures:

constantly monitor the condition of the birds;
with slow growth and thinness, increase the content of vitamins in the feed;
keep the chicken coop clean;
protect chickens.

Ventilation

Ventilation in the house promotes the flow of fresh air and eliminates unpleasant odors. Typically, ventilation is installed at the stage of building a chicken coop. In the absence of an exhaust hood, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room in a natural way.

Additional tips for beginner poultry farmers

With little experience in keeping chickens, poultry farmers often face common problems. To avoid mistakes, you should read the recommendations for breeding birds.

Cell fatigue

As a result of being constantly in a confined space, some varieties of chickens may exhibit cellular fatigue syndrome. The consequences of the syndrome are muscle paralysis and osteoporosis. For treatment, birds are given dietary calcium and increased outdoor time.

Panic

After placing chickens in a closed cage, they may begin to panic, which manifests itself in the form of restless behavior. In this situation, you need to gradually accustom the birds to new conditions so as not to create stress.

Cannibalism

Cannibalism is a pathology of behavior of chickens and consists in an aggressive attitude towards brethren and damage to eggs. To avoid the negative effects of cannibalism, aggressive individuals should be raised in separate structures.

Fractured wings

Clash of birds with various obstacles often leads to a fracture of the wings. It is not recommended to treat fractures on your own, as this process requires special skills. Wing fractures should be treated by a veterinarian.

Rickets

The reason for the development of rickets is an unbalanced diet of birds. The main measure of struggle is the revision of the diet. Due to rickets, the elasticity of the bones may increase, and they will not be able to support the weight of the chicken.