How Modern Broiler Farming Techniques Boost Your Harvest

Modern broiler farming techniques are gradually being adopted more widely. Besides boosting harvests significantly, modern farming clearly produces higher-quality chickens than conventional methods. In fact, the two approaches to raising broilers do not differ all that much. Modern farming focuses more on the type of chicken house and on more intensive care for the birds being raised for harvest. Of course, there are a few things to prepare before you switch to modern broiler farming or start one from scratch. If you are interested in moving to modern techniques, here are the key features of modern broiler farming you should know.

Modern vs. Conventional Techniques

As mentioned in the introduction, the most obvious difference between modern and conventional techniques lies in the chicken house design. Conventional farming always relies on an open house so the chickens get plenty of light and air, while modern farming does the opposite. Modern techniques use an enclosed chicken house, known as a closed house.

In a closed house, the chickens receive a kind of special care by being isolated from all outside disturbances that could interfere with their growth. You probably already know how vulnerable broilers are to stress and health problems. The idea behind a closed house is that the chickens are more comfortable and grow to their full potential. However, there are some things you need to prepare, and they add to your capital costs: a more expensive chicken house, a high-capacity power supply to keep the house warm, a backup generator and the specialized skills the system requires.

Also read Key Differences in Modern Broiler Farming

The Closed House

Whether people admit it or not, using a closed house does increase broiler productivity. That higher yield comes from the treatment the chickens receive while they are kept isolated in the closed house. According to several farmers who use modern methods, the risk of disease and viral attacks is also lower because the chickens are not directly exposed to outside air. Fewer viral attacks automatically mean a lower death rate among the birds being raised for harvest. Another advantage is less air and noise pollution for the surrounding area, so you no longer need to worry about your chicken farm disturbing your neighbors. You also do not need to worry when the dry or rainy season arrives, because the chickens are protected and kept warm by the high-voltage lamps you use.

Healthy Air

The next feature of modern broiler farming is a healthy air supply. Unlike conventional houses, which are almost completely open, a modern chicken house has ventilation at only a few points. This is meant to maximize airflow without the risk of overexposing the chickens to outside air.

Also read Tips for Raising Chickens Without the Smell and the Mess

DOC Care and Brooding

Unlike conventional methods, caring for DOC (day-old chicks) under modern techniques takes more attention. That is why adopting modern methods also means expanding your knowledge. Brooding, meanwhile, means providing a heater for the day-old chicks so they feel as if they are huddled against their own mother. This technique is needed to keep the chicks' health stable and their stress levels low.

Also read 4 Benefits of Broiler Chicken Farming

Those are some of the key features of modern broiler farming worth knowing. We hope you find them useful.