How commercial chicken housing is improving livestock conditions

Enhance the welfare and productivity of your poultry with innovative housing solutions. Explore features that prioritise animal health, sustainability, and ease of management.

Request a callback

The welfare and productivity of poultry largely depend on the conditions in which they are housed. Poor living conditions can lead to stress, disease, and a reduction in productivity, negatively impacting the success of poultry farming businesses.

In the UK, over one billion chickens are slaughtered for meat each year. However, more than 90% of these chickens are raised in suboptimal conditions, often overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and lacking opportunities for natural behaviours like perching, scratching, or nesting. Such living conditions can significantly impact their health and overall productivity.

Commercial chicken housing solutions aim to address these challenges, providing efficient, safe, and sustainable environments that promote the welfare of chickens while improving operational efficiency. These housing solutions are essential for meeting the increasing demand for poultry products, ensuring both the animals' welfare and the profitability of businesses involved in poultry farming.

McGregor Agri Span offers a solution that not only improves conditions for ground-nesting birds but also meets the needs of businesses of all sizes. Keep reading to find out how these housing systems are designed to provide flexibility, durability, and sustainability, reducing the risk of diseases and ensuring healthy, happy birds.

Key conditions for creating optimal living environments for ground-nesting birds

Proper airflow and ventilation

Good airflow is essential for maintaining healthy air quality within chicken housing. By preventing the build-up of harmful gases like ammonia and removing excess moisture, effective ventilation systems help reduce the risk of respiratory diseases in chickens and maintain optimal living conditions.

Adequate space and nesting areas

Ample space is crucial to prevent overcrowding and reduce stress among chickens. Sufficient space allows chickens to move freely, and engage in natural behaviours like scratching, foraging, and nesting, contributing to reducing stress and improving their overall health and productivity levels.

Balanced lighting conditions

A balanced lighting system ensures chickens are exposed to adequate light for healthy growth and egg production. Stable lighting conditions also promote natural behaviours such as roosting. Also, adequate lighting helps temperature control and protects chickens from heat stress or cold discomfort.

Clean and predator-safe environment

Keeping the housing structure clean is essential to prevent the spread of diseases and bacteria. Easy-to-maintain structures help reduce the risk of animal diseases caused by poor hygiene. Additionally, secure housing shields chickens from predators and external dangers, ensuring their safety.

FAQs

What are commercial livestock housing solutions?

Commercial livestock housing solutions are specialised structures designed to provide safe, efficient, and comfortable living spaces. These systems promote optimal health, welfare, and productivity by providing ample space, ventilation, and protection from predators.

What materials are best for poultry housing?

Durable materials such as galvanised steel and weather-resistant fabrics are ideal for commercial poultry housing. These materials are long-lasting, easy to clean, and protect chickens from environmental conditions, ensuring optimal conditions for poultry health.

How often should commercial housing for chicken be cleaned?

Commercial chicken housing should be cleaned regularly, ideally at least once a week. Keeping the housing clean helps to prevent the spread of diseases, maintain hygiene, and ensure a healthy environment for chickens to thrive.

Why McGregor Agri Span is the ideal solution for improving commercial chicken housing

McGregor Agri Span provides high-quality, flexible, and durable poultry housing solutions that cater to the diverse needs of commercial chicken farming businesses. With features designed to improve poultry welfare and operational efficiency, here are some of the key benefits of McGregor Agri Span livestock housing:

Optimised ventilation systems

McGregor Agri Span housing is designed with advanced ventilation systems that effectively promote optimal airflow, reducing the build-up of harmful gases like ammonia. This helps maintain healthy living conditions for chickens, ensuring their overall well-being.

Easy to clean and maintain

These ground-nesting bird shelter structures are designed for easy cleaning, making it simple to maintain hygiene and reduce the risk of diseases. Regular cleaning of the housing is crucial to maintaining optimum flock health and improving overall productivity.

Flexible modular design

McGregor Agri Span livestock housing units offer a modular design that can be easily adapted to suit varying flock sizes and site specifications. The modular nature of the housing makes it highly customisable to meet the changing needs of your poultry operation.

Durable and weather-resistant

The robust materials used in McGregor Agri Span structures ensure durability and weather resistance. These buildings provide year-round protection for chickens, withstanding harsh weather conditions and ensuring optimal conditions for poultry health and productivity.

Sustainable and cost-effective

McGregor Agri Span solutions are designed with sustainability in mind. The structures are energy-efficient, helping to reduce operational costs, and the use of eco-friendly materials reduces their environmental impact, providing long-term value for poultry businesses.