Agriculture

How to build a proper chicken house

Building a perfect house for your chickens is one of the factors that farmers need to take into consideration to ensure maximum returns on their investment.

Below is how to go about building your chicken house.

A Sloping grano floor worked off smoothly and sealed with “stone sealer”. This will prevent bacteria from penetrating the porous surface and will help the cleaning process to be done correctly.

The wall on the long side must only be 300 millimeters high, and also smoothly plastered and sealed off with stone sealer on the inside. It may be as long as necessary to get the necessary floor space. The direction must be from east to west. The wall on the short sides must go right up to the pitch of the roof. The insides must be smoothly plastered and sealed with a stone sealer. The length can be from 6 to 12 meters, depending on the length of the long sides. If the long sides are less than 20 meters the short sides must not exceed 8 meters. The opening between the low wall and the roof as well as the opening in the pitch of the roof must be closed off with bird mesh.

The opening in the roof pith must have a flap to regulate airflow. The eaves of the roof must be 1.5 meters, and the headspace inside must be high enough to stand up straight.

Curtains must be secured on the bottom and the top must be loose. Lower the curtain to open for more ventilation. Use a pulley system to move the curtains.

Two doors are used, the big door allows a vehicle in, and the small door is for daily workers. It is not necessary for a big door if the house is too small.

A footbath is necessary inside the house in front of the doors. Construct it in such a way that workers are forced to walk through it.

Concrete paving around the house will keep water and weeds away to prevent bacteria growth.

A 100 or 200-liter water tank on the outside to supply water to automatic drinkers and administered medicine is essential. See that it has a good lid to keep birds, insects the and bacteria away.

The floor surface must allow 1 square meter per 8 birds. Supply 1 automatic drinker and 3 tube feeders per 100 birds.

Placing of birds:

Screen a quarter of the house off with a plastic sail to get a tent effect. This will prevent energy loss. Get the temperature to the desired level before chicks are placed. Keep plus-minus 2 weeks in the tent then take it off. Ensure that the tent always has good ventilation.

Give ventilation from day 3 and increase rapidly every day, dependable on the weather. Never close ventilation completely. Rather supply more heat.

Use a fan heater with other heat sources in the house; ensure no direct wind near ground level. (Draught Screen a quarter of the house off of the rest with a plastic sail to get a tent effect. This will help to prevent energy loss.

Get temperature to the desired level before chicks are placed. Keep plus-minus 2 weeks in the tent then take off. Ensure that tent always have good ventilation.

Give ventilation from day 3 and increase rapidly every day, dependable on the weather. Never close ventilation completely. Rather supply more heat.

Use a fan heater with other heat sources in house, ensure no direct wind near ground level.

Information supplied by Alfa Chicks.

 www.alfachicks.co.za or 012 561 1205 or 087 985063.

How to build a proper chicken house
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