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Choosing a poultry rearing system is a tricky task, and the correct decision will determine whether your farm will be profitable and efficient. Should you give your poultry freedom to roam on the floor or install multi-level aviaries with automatic feeders? The conditions of rearing will directly affect the growth of broilers and the quality and quantity of eggs in hens. The company ‘VADA’, which works in the poultry industry, helps farmers make the right decisions when choosing a rearing system, taking into account the conditions and capabilities of a particular farm.
What is floor rearing of poultry?
This is a familiar form of rearing, in which the birds move freely on the floor of the poultry house. With modern equipment, this is easy to do by combining this method with automation. This reduces labour costs and significantly improves the efficiency of the farm.
Poultry on the floor are active and feel more natural. They move around and scratch in the litter, thereby actively stimulating muscle development. The only thing to remember is to remove manure in a timely and regular manner.
The poultry house does not require multi-level frames, which means lower costs for organising livestock breeding. To maintain the optimum temperature, especially for broilers, a drainage floor or heated floor is built.
Zoning the area for feeding and watering is also necessary. Lightweight partitions help to do this without much effort or expense. They can also be used to separate age groups.
What is aviary poultry farming
This is a multi-level or sectional system where poultry is kept in special aviaries with controlled areas for feeding, sleeping and movement. In this case, they can move between floors, but the space is significantly reduced, so more birds can be kept. In enclosures, it is easy to organise feeding, sleeping and walking areas.
Enclosures are modular – frame structures with mesh and trays for collecting droppings. Suspended nests are installed for laying hens – eggs are easy to collect from them and they are less likely to be damaged.
There is a division into activity zones: sections for movement, rest and feeding. Automatic systems ensure equal access to feed and water at all levels. The microclimate is controlled by temperature and humidity sensors in each enclosure separately. Trays and conveyors keep the area clean and free up the time and energy of farm workers, while automatic belt systems collect eggs quickly and safely. And then there is the lighting, which stimulates activity and egg production. Correctly selected equipment for broilers reduces maintenance costs and increases average daily weight gain.
Comparison of poultry housing types
When choosing between floor and aviary housing, consider the type of poultry (broilers, layers, quails), the area and capabilities of the farm, the budget for equipment, and most importantly, the goal: what exactly do you want to get from these systems — productivity or natural behaviour of the poultry. The feeding system for chickens should provide uniform access to feed to avoid competition between birds and differences in growth rates.
| Criterion | Floor housing | Enclosure housing |
|---|---|---|
| Where the bird lives | In a closed room on litter | Indoors + has access to an outdoor enclosure |
| Level of freedom of movement | Average — the bird walks on the floor | High — indoors + free space outdoors |
| Natural behaviour | Partially possible | Fully realised (walking, sunbathing, searching for food) |
| Comfort for the bird | Good, if the microclimate is properly organised | Maximum thanks to walking and fresh air |
| Productivity | Stable, predictable | May be higher, but depends on weather and walking conditions |
| Construction costs | Lower — only a poultry house is needed | Higher — both a poultry house and a high-quality aviary are needed |
| Maintenance costs | Average — controllable | Slightly higher (more territory, sometimes more feed) |
| Feed costs | Stable | May be lower (birds find some of their own feed) |
| Ventilation and microclimate | Fully controlled by equipment | Partly natural, partly artificial |
| Complexity of care | Easy/medium | Medium/high — more space, more control |
| Litter condition | Depends on ventilation and stocking density | Cleaner due to the possibility of birds going out into the aviary |
| Biosecurity | Higher — enclosed space | Lower — birds are in contact with the environment |
| Suitable for laying hens | Yes, very good | Yes, especially for farms |
| Suitable for meat breeds | Very good | Suitable, but less commonly used |
| Weather risks | Minimal | Dependent on weather and season |
| Payback period | Faster | Slightly longer, but justified by product quality |
How to choose the optimal housing for your farm?
Depending on the type of poultry, broilers require rapid growth and high feed conversion. Both systems are equally suitable for them. This is in contrast to laying hens, which are more sensitive to stress and temperature fluctuations. In aviary systems with nests and resting areas, eggs are less damaged and overall poultry productivity increases.
‘For broilers, we recommend combining a controlled microclimate with uniform access to feed. This significantly minimises stress and improves growth efficiency,’ says VADA engineer Alexander Sakun.
If the poultry house is small, then aviary housing using multi-level structures will be more advantageous. Floor housing provides enough space for free movement of birds and natural behaviour.
Now about the budget. The aviary system, due to its modular structures and automated feeding and watering systems, is considered an expensive investment. With floor housing, proper attention must be paid to bedding, ventilation, and regular cleaning.
VADA has implemented many projects for both floor and aviary poultry housing. Engineers emphasise that both systems are effective if they are properly designed and equipped with poultry farming equipment, including automated feeding and watering systems. As a result, you will achieve uniform growth of broilers, high egg production and cleanliness of the premises.
‘In our work, we always focus on the customer, their requirements and wishes. Each project is unique and individual, developed by our engineers and implemented by us. We are responsible for the quality of our services and the poultry farming equipment we sell,’ concludes Oleksandr Sakun.
16/12/2025
