Types of Intensive System of Housing of poultry

a) Deep Litter System

• The bedding materials like rice husk saw dust, ground-nut hulls or sugarcane bagasse called litter are used to rear birds on floor.

Advantages of Deep Litter System

• Safety to birds.
• Birds receive nutrients like Riboflavin, Cyanocobalamin and ‘Animal Protein Factor’ from the litter.
• Litter is a bad conductor of heat, so provides warmth in cold weather.
• Excellent manure is produced.
• Germs like Salmonella are killed by heat produced by fermentative action.
• Control of humidity in the house.

Disadvantages of Deep Litter System

• If not cared properly, remains moist and full of foul smell.
• Damp litter produces ammonia which can be problemative.
• If not cared properly, problem of Coccidiosis may be seen.
• Requirement of balance feed at all times.

b) Cage System:

• It is the more intensive type of poultry production and involves rearing of poultry on raised wire netting floor in smaller compartments called cages.
• Feeders and waters are attached to cages from outside.
• The droppings are either collected in trays underneath cages or on belts for it or on the floor or deep pit under cages, depending on types of cages.

Advantages of Cage System

• Less space per bird is required. Generally one third spaces as compared to deep litter.
• Better flock supervision.
• Pecking and cannibalism minimized.
• Saving of labor.
• Better disease prevention and control of infection.
• The major litter borne problem like Coccidiosis are eliminated.
• Less mortality rates.
• Less expensive on medication.
• The cost of litter and litter management problems are totally eliminated.
• Definite feed saving up to 10gm/bird/day.
• Breakage of egg is reduced.

Disadvantages of Cage System

• Initial investment is higher.
• Sometimes problems of “Cage Fatigue” may be observed in overweight birds.