ansci lec 8

• 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: local climatic conditions, topography, costs, availability of building materials, breed of animal
• 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
• 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 does not let water pass through it, is easy to clean, and is made of concrete or other solid materials
  • A solid, high wall that is not an inconvenience to the animals and workers, with smooth corners to not allow collection of dirt for pests
  • A durable, weather-proof roof that is a bad conductor of heat and does not allow condensation of water
  • A well-angled roof with a pitch of at least 45° for thatch, 30° for tiles, and 10° for aluminum sheets
  • A well-designed manger made of durable materials with rounded corners, easy to clean
  • A wide gate of at least 1.5 meters wide, 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 determine if the temperature is too hot, just right, or too cold

  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 °C

  8 - 14 days: 29.4 - 32.2 °C
• Floor space requirements for layers

  • 1 - 21 days: 0.3 square feet per bird

  3 - 8 weeks: 0.5 square feet per bird

  8 - 12 weeks: 1.0 square foot per bird

  Litter Floor: 2.0 - 2.5 square feet per bird

  Slatted Floor: 1.5 - 2.0 square feet per bird

  Battery Cage: 0.75 - 1.0 square foot per bird
• Floor space requirements for broilers

  • 1 - 14 days: 0.3 square feet per bird

  15 days - market: 1.0 square foot per bird
• Housing orientation


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

  Never increase light during growing period & never decrease light during laying period

  Light exposure must not exceed 11 - 12 hours during the growing stage (8 - 12 weeks) of pullets, 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 time for pullets to start laying

  22 weeks of age
• How to delay egg laying

  Reduce 20% of the feed, dilute feeds with fiber, provide low protein diets, skip feeding, 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

  Address the causes, debeaking can be done if common for the breed or if problems persist
• 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
• Additional things to consider when selecting a site

  • Elevated place that cannot be flooded, protected from sun with ample fresh air, away from residences, well connected to roads, suitable for manure disposal, connected to reliable water and electricity sources
• Loose housing system


  • Animals are let out on an open paddock to roam about freely, with a small sheltered area for resting

  Allows animals to freely move around and exhibit natural behaviors, but requires larger area and more cleaning
• Conventional housing system


  • Animals are tied in stalls and milking is done in the shed, also called the tie-barn system

  Some have a head to head or tail to tail arrangement