a) Availability of capital
Capital availability determines the type of housing, materials to be used, the size of the structure and the number of birds.
b) Production system
The type of poultry structures to construct will be dependent on the system of production. Poultry production systems are categorized into three as follows:
- Free-range/extensive: Birds are allowed to forage freely without supplementary feeding.
- Semi-intensive: Birds are confined part of the time and allowed to free-range. Supplementary feed is normally provided in this system.
- Intensive: Birds are confined throughout with feed provided.
c) Land size for the enterprise
It determines the type of housing in that free-range system requires a lot of space while battery cage system requires little space.
d) Availability of materials
Locally available materials will determine the type of housing. Since are readily available and cheaper.
e) Age of the birds
Type of structure is determined by age of the bird since every age group has different requirements.
Siting chicken house
The factors to consider when siting a chicken house are:
Topography and drainage – A gentle slope is suitable for easy drainage.
Orientation – The open/longer side of the house should be orientated in an East to West direction with ventilation windows on the sides facing South and North. This will ensure that sun rays do not shine directly into the poultry house since this leads to an increase in temperature inside the house which has negative
effects like:
- Birds eating less feed and therefore producing fewer eggs and also grow slower.
- Reduces the hatchability of the eggs.
- Increases stress to some birds leading to vices like cannibalism and fights.
- Site Security and Biosecurity – The house should be far from residential houses, roads and premises/paddocks for rearing other livestock including neighboring poultry farms.
- Accessibility to the facility – The place should be easily accessible.
