The use of laying cages for commercial egg production has become popular due to their efficiency. However, we must recognize that they may have advantages and disadvantages, which we will detail below.
Among its benefits, we can mention:
✱ Birds are less exposed to environmental contaminants and circulating infectious pathogens.
✱ Eggs do not come into contact with chickens or their feces, avoiding pecking and contamination of their waste.
✱ Predation is not a problem for laying hens
✱ Reduces food waste
✱ To avoid the problem of humidity (irritation of mucous membranes) in soft bedding that has a veterinary impact on birds
✱ To avoid nesting behavior
✱ To avoid the appearance of fractures in birds flying at moderate altitudes or due to traumatic landings.
✱ Eggs from hens in cages contain the same amount of fat and protein as eggs from hens in other coop systems.
Among its disadvantages, we can list:
✱ the initial investment in the purchase of batteries and their adequacy
✱ Poor management of bird population density, which may be penalized
✱ Droppings management may be a problem
✱ Hens kept in cages lay fewer eggs than hens on the floor.
✱ Investment per hen is usually higher than flat production.
✱ A slightly higher percentage of blood spots on eggs.
✱ Eggs from free-range hens contain higher levels of fatty acids and vitamins
There are BOPP films, which vary in size, type of floor and the arrangement of the grids that make them up. Cage systems are classified according to their density. There are cage systems with only one bird, multiple birds (3 or 4), and colony cages that can accommodate 20 to 30 hens.
The cage arrangement helps us to save and use space more efficiently and to reduce the investment in housing.
General classification of cage arrangements.
✱ Single layer: with one row of cages; it is both simple and practical in open houses in temperate climates.
✱ Double-decker - popular because the upper level is balanced, allowing evacuees to pass through the wire mesh on the floor of the house without touching the bottom level of the cage. This system is also known as a "ladder".
✱Triple or quadruple: To further save space, use three or four tiers.
✱ Flat floor: Although they are simple cage units, they are placed together with no service corridors. The treatment type uses automatic narrow aisles to move back and forth over the cage.
Conclusion
Eggs are inexpensive, have high nutritional value and are one of the most important sources of animal protein worldwide. The increased demand for food has led to more efficient animal production in its course. Regarding poultry houses, the egg cage system is the most important recently and it is necessary to know it in order to ensure the welfare of the laying hens.