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There are various ways to raise poultry on poultry farms, and each has its own nuances. It is up to the farmer to choose, depending on the area, budget, production direction and business goals. In some cases, floor rearing is more effective, as it gives the birds more space to move around. For more details, read the article "From scratch to launch: how to create an effective floor rearing system on a farm".
In some places, aviary housing is used, with combined walking and feeding areas. And there are farms where cage housing is the key factor, allowing for maximum space organisation, control of feed and water consumption, and maintenance of a stable microclimate in the room.
It's not just a matter of "putting up cages and letting the birds in." A cage system is a technological structure where every element — feeders, drinkers, chicken nests, ventilation, and lighting — works towards a result. The productivity, health of the birds, and economics of the farm depend on the right equipment and processes.
Therefore, it is important for farmers to understand not only "where to buy cages for laying hens," but also how to organise the entire cycle of keeping birds: from feed to microclimate, so that every day brings stable results.
What is cage rearing of chickens?
Cage rearing is an organised system in which poultry is placed in special multi-level or sectional cages. Each tier or section has separate areas for feeding, watering, resting and nesting for laying hens. This division helps to maintain order and ensure an even distribution of feed and water throughout the poultry house.
Let's take a look at the advantages of cage rearing.
- Space savings. More birds can be housed in a smaller area, which is especially important for farmers with limited space.
- Control over feed and water consumption. Automatic or semi-automatic systems allow you to know exactly how much each section eats and quickly adjust the norms.
- Reduced injury and competition. Thanks to zone control and a sufficient number of feeders and drinkers, birds are less likely to fight with each other.
- Versatility. These systems are suitable for both layers and broilers, and with the latest models, parameters can be quickly adapted to different age groups. In short, chicken cages provide organised poultry housing and facilitate care on the farm.
However, there are certain limitations that are important to keep in mind:
- limited freedom of movement, because birds cannot run or fly in cages as they do in free-range conditions, so special attention must be paid to the condition of their feet and skeletal system;
- increased ventilation and care requirements due to the density of laying hens. This is because air quality and temperature must be stable. Without a ventilation system and regular cleaning, ammonia and moisture quickly accumulate in the cage, which is harmful to the health of the birds.
What do experts in this field recommend? "When designing a cage correctly, it is important to calculate the number of feeders and drinkers for each tier, as well as to plan air flows. This will reduce stress in the birds and improve productivity without additional costs," says VADA.
What equipment should be chosen for cage systems?
Farmers often start choosing a system with the cage itself, although practice shows that the result is determined by a set of equipment, not a single element.
Automatic feeding systems ensure a uniform feed delivery rate throughout the entire length of the battery, no "empty" zones, and the ability to accurately track the feed intake of each individual bird. On an industrial scale of poultry farming, even a 3-5% overspending on feed per year translates into tens of thousands of hryvnias in losses. Therefore, it is very important to consider not only the productivity of the cage, but also the accuracy of the feeding system. It is this that determines how much the farm actually earns.
Nipple drinkers with drip catchers are most often chosen for chickens, as they protect the litter from moisture. This reduces the growth of bacteria, neutralises the smell of ammonia and, in general, keeps the birds' feet healthy.
Nests for laying hens should have the correct slope, soft covering and be protected from light. Such designs contribute to obtaining clean and intact eggs.
Microclimate. Since cage poultry houses have a higher stocking density, the requirements for them are more stringent than for floor systems. Temperature is very important; even a 2°C deviation will affect the chickens' appetite. This is followed by a chain reaction. Therefore, maintaining a temperature of 32-32°C at the start and then gradually lowering it to 18-20°C will give good results.
Humidity should be 60-70%. It is not worth taking chances here either, as above-normal levels will lead to disease, and below-normal levels can cause irritation of the mucous membranes.
The purpose of ventilation is to remove moisture and ammonia and distribute air evenly between tiers. "The most common mistake is to install powerful fans without calculating air flows. As a result, it is cold at the top and stuffy at the bottom. And even though the equipment is expensive, productivity will drop in this case," explains engineer Alexander Zhilinsky.
How to effectively keep chickens in industrial cages
The desire of farmers to keep as many birds as possible is understandable, as economic gain for the business is paramount. But! Here you need to be aware of the flip side of the coin — any excess of the norm has a negative effect. This includes a decrease in egg production, the emergence of aggression in birds, and poorer feed conversion. Therefore, it is better to achieve a stable 90-95% productivity than a short-term maximum with subsequent losses!
In industrial conditions, density standards depend on the age, breed and purpose of the birds. For example, 450-500 cm² per bird is sufficient for layers, and 800-900 cm² for broilers at a young age, with a subsequent increase in space per bird. Compliance with these standards allows birds to move, eat and drink water without conflict.
Proper zoning of feeding and watering is no less important. Why? Because otherwise you will get queues at the feeders, uneven feed consumption, and stress in the birds standing in line. The ideal scheme is to have a sufficient number of feeders and drinkers for each tier, evenly spaced along the entire length of the battery. A cage for laying hens allows you to maintain stable egg production. Automatic systems help control feed intake, preventing overspending, while nipple drinkers provide constant access to water and keep the cage dry.
Since cage houses are denser than floor houses, air quality and temperature must be stable. This requires comprehensive control: ventilation, heating, lighting and cleaning. Regular monitoring of these parameters will help reduce livestock morbidity and increase productivity. Comparison of cages with other types of poultry housing
On industrial farms, in addition to cages, common methods of poultry farming include floor and aviary housing. How do they differ from each other?
Floor housing means that the birds move freely around the floor of the poultry house in search of food. Here, the birds are more active, but it is more difficult to control their feed and water consumption, and cleaning and ventilation costs are higher.
Aviary housing is considered an intermediate option, where birds have limited space with areas for walking, nesting and feeding. This reduces competition and injury compared to floor housing, but requires more space and equipment.
Cage rearing is distinguished by the fact that everything is organised and controlled to the maximum extent possible: multi-level sections, automated feeders and drinkers, belt removal of manure.
Table. Key indicators of different housing systems
| Parameter | Cage rearing | Floor housing | Aviary housing |
| Area per bird | 450-500 cm² for layers, 800-900 cm² for broilers | 800-1200 cm² | 600-900 cm² |
| Control of feed and water consumption | Easy, automated | Complex, requires more staff | Partially controllable, requires additional feeders |
| Labour intensity | Low due to automation | High, lots of manual work | Medium |
| Productivity | High, stable egg production and growth | Average, more dependent on care | Medium-high, depends on zoning and control |
As you can see, cage rearing is beneficial for industrial farms because it allows them to consistently obtain productive poultry and save on feed, water and personnel. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized premises where it is important to save space while maintaining control over the entire process. "On cage farms, we always recommend combining automated feeders and drinkers with clear zoning of the cages. This avoids competition between birds and maintains consistent productivity without additional personnel costs," according to VADA.
If you need any equipment for poultry farming, contact the company's specialists, who will help you choose everything you need for your farm, budget and conditions.
27/01/2026
