Cages vs aviary systems, this is yet another of those choices you may have to make if you’re a poultry farmer. Both of these are intensive poultry systems, and choosing the right one for your farm can have an impact on your bottom line.
As you may already know, there are several poultry housing systems. In addition, each of these systems have their own pros and cons. Deciding between them can be a daunting task.
Nonetheless, we hope to provide you with a quick tabular comparison of caged vs aviary poultry systems.
Cages vs aviary systems defined
Cage poultry system
Briefly, in a cage or battery housing system, birds are kept in small compartments or cages. Usually, these are fixed to stands, and have feed and water delivery systems attached to them.
Aviary poultry system
Aviary housing system is also known as multi-tier system. In an aviary, living spaces are organized into multiple levels. Moreover, an aviary affords more space for movement to birds.
Cages vs aviary systems compared
| Caged / battery system | Aviary system | |
|---|---|---|
| System classification | Intensive | Intensive |
| Capital requirements | High | High |
| Land requirements | Low | Low |
| Living space | Cages | Stacked aviaries |
| Feed conversion ratio (FCR) | Applicable | Applicable |
| Scientific method application | Effective | Effective |
| Biosecurity measures | Highly effective | Effective |
| Produce safety | ? | ? |
| Labor needs | Very high / Automate-able | Very high |
| Animal welfare perception | Medium | Medium |
| Produce perception | Conventional | Conventional |
Lastly but not least, note that your decision might be influenced by factors outside your control. Such factors include, market perception and demand, and applicable farming regulations.
Below is a brief comparison of egg production rates of aviary and cage systems. See our in-depth article that summarises a study that compared aviary and cage poultry systems.
For a more in depth comparison of caged vs aviary poultry systems consider:
Since we intend to update this in the future, let us know in the comments sections below if we’ve missed or can add something.