Commercial Poultry Production and Hatchery Management

INTENSIVE SYSTEM

• Birds are totally confined to houses either on ground / floor or on wire-netting floor in cages or on slats.
• It is the most efficient, convenient and economical system for modern poultry production with huge numbers.

Advantages

• Minimum land is required for farming.
• Farms can be located near market area.
• Day-to-day management is easier.
• The production performance is higher as more energy is saved due to restricted movements.
• Scientific management practices like breeding, feeding, medication, culling etc. can be applied easily and accurately.
• The sick birds can be detected, isolated and treated easily.

Disadvantages

• Birds’ welfare is affected. They can not perform the natural behaviour like roosting, spreading wings, scratching the floor with legs etc.
• Since they are not exposed to outside sunlight and feed sources, all the nutrients should be provided in balanced manner to avoid nutritionally deficient diseases.
• Chances for spreading of diseases are more.