AS L8

• Housing and Management of Farm Animals

  Factors that influence the health and productivity of an animal:
• If animals are not protected against environmental factors, the animals may still not be productive
• Appropriate housing for a farm


  Depends on:
• Characteristics of a good animal house

  • Provides biosecurity and protection of the animals against the elements of nature
  • Provides convenience and ease of work for caretakers
  • Has durability to allow maximization of investments
  • Made with accessible and cheap materials without sacrificing durability and comfort
• Purpose of good ventilation

  • Removes excess moisture
  • Reduces heat in hot weather
  • Removes odor of the farm
  • Provides supply of fresh, oxygenated air
• Factors to consider when selecting a site

  • Area & Location: should preferably be away from crowded cities and towns and human habitations, but not too far from market
  • Size of the Land: should be of adequate size to accommodate the requisite buildings and should also have sufficient space for further expansion
  • Topography of the Land: the land area should be level and without abrupt slopes, should also be far from rivers and steep areas
• A good animal house must have

  • A non-slippery floor that is easy to clean and does not let water pass through it
  • A solid, high wall with smooth corners
  • A durable, well-angled roof that is a bad conductor of heat and does not allow condensation
  • A well-designed manger made of durable materials with rounded corners
  • A wide gate made of very durable and strong materials
  • A secure fence that can keep intruders out without harming the animals
• Brooding


  1. Providing heat to chicks 1 - 14 days old

  2. Observing the chicks to ensure the temperature is just right

  3. Using light bulbs, LPG, infrared lamps, kerosene lamps, charcoal, or electric brooders as a source of heat
• Temperature requirements for brooding

  • 1 - 7 days: 32.2 - 35.0 ºC
  • 8 - 14 days: 29.4 - 32.2 ºC
• Floor space requirements for layers

  • 1 - 21 days: 0.3 square feet / bird
  • 8 - 12 weeks: 1.0 square foot / bird
  • Litter Floor: 2.0 - 2.5 sq. ft. / bird
  • Slatted Floor: 1.5 - 2.0 sq. ft. / bird
  • Battery Cage: 0.75 - 1.0 sq. ft. / bird
• Floor space requirements for broilers

  • 1 - 14 days: 0.3 square feet / bird
  • 15 days - market: 1.0 square foot / bird
• Housing orientation


  The housing must be built at an East - West orientation to protect the sides from direct sunlight
• Light management for poultry

  • Never increase light during growing period & never decrease light during laying period
  • Increasing light during growing period hastens sexual maturity, resulting in more pullet eggs and shorter egg production
  • Light exposure must not exceed 11 - 12 hours during growing stage and 16 - 18 hours for layer hens
• Signs a pullet is ready to lay eggs

  • Larger and brighter red wattles and comb
  • Friendlier and more docile
  • Instinctively looking for nest
  • Larger vent and abdomen
• Ideal age for pullets to start laying

  22 weeks of age
• How to delay egg laying

  1. Reduce 20% of the feed

  2. Dilute the feeds by incorporating fiber materials

  3. Provide low protein diets

  4. Skip feeding

  5. Reduce light
• Egg collection


  Collect eggs as early and efficiently as possible to prevent exposure to heat, bacteria, being eaten by hens, being pooped on, or being trampled
• Causes of cannibalism


  • Imbalanced ration
  • Overcrowding
  • Insufficient feeding and drinking spaces
  • Extended period without feed and water
  • Poor ventilation
  • Excessive heat and too much light
• Prevention of cannibalism


  • Addressing the causes
  • Debeaking, usually performed at chicks 7 - 10 days old
• Some additional information


  • Ideal Rooster to Hen ratio is 1:10
  • Downtime (period of rest) in between batch of flocks is usually 10 - 14 days
  • 1 gallon of water is enough for 100 chicks per day
• Housing terms for different animals

  • Barn for large ruminants
  • Pen for small ruminants
  • Sty for swine
• Considerations when selecting a site for housing

  • Elevated place that cannot be flooded
  • Protected from sun with ample fresh air
  • Away from residences
  • Well connected to roads
  • Suitable for manure disposal, with reliable water and electricity
• Loose housing system


  • Animals are let out on an open paddock to roam freely
  • A small sheltered area is provided for resting
  • Feed manger and water troughs are in the sheltered area
• Conventional housing system


  • Animals are tied in stalls and milking is done in this shed
  • Can have a head to head or tail to tail arrangement