Housing Measurements and Stocking Density of Layers in a Deep Litter System.

Factors to consider before venturing into poultry farming.

In the previous article, we discussed measures to consider before choosing the housing system for your chickens. In the cost-benefit analysis, we saw that a deep litter house should be considered for small scale producers and commercial farmers who are conscious of the welfare of the birds.

Today, we’re going to go through the housing requirements for a deep litter house. 
Consider the following before investing in any poultry enterprise:

1. Business plan: Failure to plan simply means planning to fail. Set up your business goals during this phase. List down the items you need and come up with a comprehensive budget. Consult from experts and farmers already in the business.

2. Choose a sector of interest: This depends on your reconnaissance study about the demand for the product in the intended area. It can also depend on what you desire as a person. The sectors include.

 Layers

 Broilers

 Hatchery

 Feed

 Veterinary services.

3. Housing system: Now that you’re certain about the type of the birds and sector of interest, choose the housing system. Click on the link for guidelines while choosing a housing system

4. Location: Water and power are the major utilities to consider, however, security and accessibility to the farm is also very important.

5. Financing: The capital investment depends on the sector, housing system and the size of the farm. The capital might be in terms of cash, assets or human resource. Ensure that before you venture into production, you have the necessary capital for operation.

6. Feed: This covers over 60% of the cost of production. Depending on the size of the farm, a farmer might mix their own feed or buy a pre-mixed ration. So, a farmer should be crystal clear on the source of feed before starting the production process.

7. Hire professionals: the number one killer of starting businesses is lack of technical know-how. A farmer should consider consulting an expert during the planning and in the entire production chain.

Housing Design and Stocking Density.

Let’s consider a poultry house for 1000 birds as an example.

No. of birds	Space requirement (m2)
1	0.186
1000	1860

Ground floor.

• A poultry house 18.6m long and 10m wide gives a total area of 1860m². This area accommodates 1000 layers.

Fig 1

• The floor is divided into four partitions each to accommodate 250 birds (Fig.1).

Side View.

The poultry house should be high enough to provide convenience to farmworkers.

Fig 2

The side walls are 1 meter high from the ground floor to prevent rain droplets from splashing into the house.

The foundation should be 1.5ft deep into the ground and 1.5ft above the ground to support the entire structure (Fig.2).

Fig 3

The overhang should be about 3.5ft long to prevent water splashes to enter into the shed.

The chicken mesh covers the space between the beam and the 1m wall thus allowing enough space for natural lighting and ventilation (Fig.3).

Front view:

· The walls and the floor should be made of concrete for easy cleaning and disinfection (Fig.4).

Fig 4

· The roof should be leak-proof not to wet the litter (Fig.4).

Complete poultry house:   

Fig 5

                                 

The complete standard house that accommodates 1000 layers (Fig.5).