Differences between Battery Cage System and Free-range System

broiler rearing cage

The battery cage system is far better for the following reasons:

Space Maximization

In Battery Cage System,One cage holds from 96, 128,180 or 240 birds depending with the preferred choice. The cages dimension for 128 birds when assembled is length 1870mm, width 2500mm and height 2400mm.Due to proper management of space, reduced cost in buying medicine, feeds management and reduced labor the cages provide for a high return on investment .

Low Labor

With the battery cages system the farmer requires few staff to work on the farm hence reducing operational costs and increasing .

Higher Egg Production

Egg production is much higher than in the free-range system because the movement of the chickens is restricted in the battery cage system as the chickens can conserve their energy for production.In the free-range system, the chickens move about and burn their energy in the process leading to lower production

Less Infection Risks

In the battery cage system, automatic chicken manure removal system clean faeces and the chicken have no direct access to their faeces meaning much reduced risks of infection and reduced medication fees unlike in the free-range system where the chickens have direct contact with the faeces which contain ammonia and which is a serious health hazard.

Less Diseases Risks

Most poultry farmers nightmare is risk of diseases,most chicken diseases are waterborne brought about by lack of hygiene when cleaning their utensils.With chicken cage system,the water is controlled and hence risks of contamination is reduced.

Low Broken Egg Rate

In the battery cage system, the chickens have no contact with their eggs which will roll out of their reach unlike the free-range system where the chickens break some of the eggs resulting to loss of revenue.

Easier Chicken Feeders and Drinkers System

In the battery cage system,chicken feeding and watering is far easier and no wastage occur but in the free-range system, it is stressful feeding and watering the chickens and wastage occur where the chickens may walk in the feed, perch on the feeders and soil the feed or trip off the water drinkers, soiling the litter. Wet litter causes coccidiosis infection which is also a serious health hazard in chickens.

Easily Counting Number

In the battery cage,the farmer can easily count his chickens but in the free-range system,it is almost impossible where there is a large flock cos the chickens are always moving about which makes counting to be difficult. where the staff are stealing the chickens, the owner farmer will not know quickly for details where to get battery cages check.

It is much easier to evacuate the waste in the battery cage system unlike the free-range system which is much more stressful.