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Raising Chickens: Selecting Poultry Housing and Equipment for Laying and Broiler Birds

© Don De Beyer

When selecting a breed of chickens to raise, consider whether the desired product is eggs or meat. Most dual-purpose chickens like Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, and New Hampshire Reds will meet both egg and meat needs.Selling products to others will likely require a commercial chicken breed.

Housing for Laying Chickens and Broilers

Poultry houses give the birds protection from heat, cold, rain, and predators. Proper temperature and ventilation are necessary for healthy and productive birds.

Poultry houses need not be elaborate. Hobby farmers can use many simple structures to raise poultry. A 10-by-15 foot shelter can house about 150 broilers (meat birds) or 75 laying hens. Birds of different ages will require different food, space, and temperature and may require more than one facility.

Adequate litter and nesting material should be clean, dry and free of excessive dust, and mold; straw, wood shavings, hulls, and commercial litter are all satisfactory. Throughly clean and disinfect the building before each group of birds takes residence.

Laying hens will need off-the-ground nesting boxes (one 30 cm by 30 cm box per 4-5 hens) and perches. The boxes should be about 40-50 cm above the ground. Position the perches 5-10 cm below the level of the boxes. Meat birds do not need boxes and do well on the floor of the building.

Equipment for the Chickens' Housing

Feeders, waterers, lights, and a supplemental heat source (heat lamps) must be appropriate for the size of the birds and should allow enough space for all the birds to eat at once. This may require several sets for each age group.

Raising birds from chicks will require supplemental heat. Preparing for your particular circumstances will depend on the age of the birds on your farm.

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