The furnished cage poultry system was invented as an alternative to battery or traditional cage system. Furnished cage poultry system is also known as enriched cage system.
Enriched cage poultry system not only addresses ethical concerns surrounding traditional cage systems but also promotes the health and welfare of your hens.
In this article, we’ll explore what a furnished cage poultry system is, its benefits, and its impact on the poultry industry.
However, depending on where you are located, the furnished cage poultry system may not be applicable to you. For instance, the EU is phasing out all cage systems by 2027.
Therefore before considering furnished poultry system as an option for your poultry farm, consider local regulations. While it may be permissible in your locale, the long term future of this system remains in question.
Also see why the end of the poultry cage system is here.
What is a Furnished Cage Poultry System?
A furnished cage system provides hens with an enriched living environment in comparison to conventional battery cages.
These include features like nesting areas, perches, and space for foraging, that allow birds to engage in natural behaviors essential for their health and well-being.
Notably, furnished cages are larger than traditional cages and offer amenities that cater to the animal-needs of your hens.
Key Features of Furnished Cages
Increased Space
Furnished cages provide more room per bird compared to traditional battery cages. This increased space helps reduce stress and promotes comfort among your flock.
When hens have room to move around, they can interact more freely, which is crucial for their overall well-being and contributes to a healthier flock dynamic.
Nest Boxes
The inclusion of nesting areas is a vital feature of furnished cages. These designated spaces allow hens to lay eggs in a comfortable and private setting, mimicking their natural behaviors.
When you provide access to nest boxes, you’ll find that your hens exhibit less anxiety and are more likely to lay quality eggs, benefiting both production and marketability.
Perches
Elevated perches are another significant advantage of furnished cage systems. By providing your hens with a place to roost, you help them feel more secure and enable them to engage in natural behaviors like preening and resting.
Moreover, perching supports both the physical and mental health of your birds, allowing them to establish a social hierarchy, which is essential for their behavior.
Foraging Areas
Some furnished cage systems incorporate foraging areas, where hens can engage in natural foraging behaviors.
Allowing your hens to search for food and interact with their environment boosts their mental stimulation and reduces boredom. This results in healthier birds overall, which can translate into better productivity for your farm.
Benefits of the Furnished Cage Poultry System
Transitioning to or using furnished cage systems offers numerous benefits for you as a poultry farmer.
Enhanced Animal Welfare
The most compelling advantage is the improved welfare of your hens. With access to nesting areas, perches, and more space, these birds can express their natural behaviors.
Research shows that hens in furnished cages experience lower levels of stress, leading to better overall health and productivity.
Improved Egg Quality
Studies indicate that eggs produced by hens in furnished cages often exhibit superior quality.
The enriched environment helps reduce stress-related issues, resulting in healthier birds that lay eggs with stronger shells and better nutritional profiles. This quality boost benefits your customers and helps you achieve better market prices.
Increased Productivity
While you may worry that a more spacious environment could lead to lower production rates, many farmers have reported the opposite.
Healthy, less-stressed birds tend to lay more eggs and experience lower mortality rates, ultimately boosting your profitability. Prioritizing animal welfare can be a smart business decision. You can track your flock performance with Kukufarm app – get it on Google Play or App Store.
Compliance with Regulations
As awareness about animal welfare increases, many countries are implementing stricter regulations regarding poultry farming practices.
Transitioning to a furnished cage poultry system helps you meet these new standards and enhances your farm’s public perception.
Moreover, consumers are increasingly seeking products from farms that prioritize animal welfare, making furnished cages an attractive option for you.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Furnished cage systems contribute to more sustainable poultry farming. By improving hen health and productivity, these systems can reduce the resources needed for each egg produced.
Healthier birds also require fewer antibiotics, benefiting both animal welfare and food safety. This aligns with the growing consumer demand for ethically produced food.
Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of furnished cage poultry systems are substantial, there are challenges that you may need to navigate.
For instance, the initial investment for these systems can be higher than for traditional cages, and managing a more complex environment requires additional training and resources.
Conclusion
As a poultry farmer, embracing the furnished cage poultry system represents a significant step forward in creating more humane and sustainable farming practices.
By providing your hens with a richer living environment, you can enhance their welfare, improve productivity, and meet the growing demand for ethically produced eggs.
Transitioning to furnished cage systems is not just about changing farming methods; it’s about committing to a more compassionate approach to animal husbandry. By adopting these practices, you can ensure a brighter future for your farm and the poultry industry as a whole.
The future of poultry farming
In our opinion, the future of intensive poultry farming is in deep litter, and aviary poultry systems. The long term future of poultry farming may look a bit different.
As already noted, it only a matter of years before all cage systems, enriched or not, are banned worldwide. Therefore we would ask you to really do your due diligence before investing in cage systems for the long term.
This push is not merely from regulation, consumers are also demanding poultry products from organic and extensive methods. As a result we believe there will be a market for your poultry produce, in spite of regulation.
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