Battery cage system is still one of the main poultry housing system used around the world. However, this system has various pros and cons associated to it. Furthermore, it has the lowest ratings for animal welfare.
In poultry farming, battery cage method is one of the four intensive poultry farming methods. The other are deep litter, slatted floor and aviary systems.
Intensive poultry farming systems, and especially battery cage method are increasingly coming under scrutiny. The EU banned conventional battery cage system back in 2012. Moreover, the regional-bloc aims to end battery cage farming by 2027 for animal welfare reasons.
Battery cage system defined
In a battery cage system, chicken are housed in cages, where they spend a large part, if not all their lives. Battery cage system enables poultry farmers to rear more chicken in a smaller space. This makes the system very efficient, especially for layers flocks.
Battery cage system can have fully automate flock feeding, watering, and egg collection. This can reduce labor costs immensely for you, but it requires huge initial investments.
Furthermore, battery cage system is the most advanced poultry system. It enables you to apply efficient and scientific farming methods.
Pros and cons in battery cage method
This contrast of pros and cons in battery cage system for poultry is not comprehensive. In addition to the benefits and drawbacks noted, you will have to consider other factors when choosing a poultry system.
However, keep in mind that the pros and cons do not weigh equally and are not equal on a one-to-one basis.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most efficient poultry system | Capital intensive |
| Labor can be highly automated | Very low animal welfare and ethical ratings. Birds have no ability to engage in natural behaviours such as perching, dust-bathing, locomotion and nesting |
| Most suited for scientific farming methods | Increased probability for environmental pollution due to high bird population |
| Reduced aggression and cannibalism among hens | Very poor consumer perception |
| Increased disease risk for cage paralysis, layer fatigue, blood spotted eggs and breast blisters for broiler birds | |
| The system is increasingly coming under scrutiny and could be banned in many countries by 2030 |
If you are just starting out in poultry farming, it is worth looking at alternative systems before settling on battery cage system.
Although regulation and consumer perception in your target market may still accept battery cage system, these can change fast. As a poultry farmer, a commercial and a large scale one for that matter, the last thing you would want is to find yourself on the wrong side of consumers and regulation.
There are several alternatives to battery cage system. These include cage free and enriched colony cage systems.
Lastly but not least do your due diligence when picking a poultry system for your farm. Consult with the farming regulation body in your region and keep tabs of consumer perception. Furthermore, ensure your system has high animal welfare ratings.