Broiler Pan Raising

Equipment and Layout

• Feed Trays: They are usually made of plastic or metal materials and come in different specifications and models to meet the feeding needs of broiler chickens at various growth stages. The feed trays are mostly circular or square in shape, with a certain height at the edges to prevent feed from spilling out.

• Layout Mode: Inside the chicken coop, the feed trays are evenly distributed on the ground, and the spacing is reasonably arranged according to the size of the chicken coop and the number of chickens being raised. Generally, a certain number of feed trays are equipped for each group of broiler chickens to ensure that each chicken has sufficient feeding space.

Operation Method

• Feeding Frequency: The feeding frequency varies at different growth stages of broiler chickens. Generally, during the chick stage, the number of feedings per day is relatively high, and as the broiler chickens grow, the number of feedings gradually decreases. For example, chicks at 1 - 2 weeks of age may need to be fed 6 - 8 times a day, while during the later fattening stage, they can be fed 3 - 4 times a day.

• Feed Quantity: Determine the feed quantity according to the growth stage and weight standard of broiler chickens. Usually, refer to the broiler chicken feeding standards and the suggestions provided by feed manufacturers, and make adjustments in combination with the actual farming situation. When feeding each time, pour an appropriate amount of feed evenly into the feed trays to ensure that the broiler chickens can finish eating within a certain period of time and that there is not too much leftover feed that will deteriorate.

Advantages

• Uniform Feeding of the Flock: The feed trays are evenly distributed, and each chicken has a relatively fixed feeding position, which can ensure that the flock feeds uniformly, avoiding the situation where some chickens do not get enough feed due to competing for feed, and is conducive to the consistency of the overall growth and development of the flock.

• Reduction of Feed Waste: The design of the feed trays can effectively prevent broiler chickens from scratching a large amount of feed out of the trays during the feeding process, reducing feed waste. At the same time, adjusting the feed quantity in a timely manner according to the chickens' feeding situation can also avoid waste caused by overfeeding.

• Convenient Observation of the Flock: When adding feed and conducting daily inspections, farmers can easily observe the feeding situation, mental state, and health condition of each chicken, and promptly discover sick or abnormal chickens, which is convenient for taking timely measures for treatment and helps with the early detection and prevention and control of diseases.

1. Breeding Facilities
   Chicken cages used in broiler cage raising are specially designed, usually made of metal wire and come in various specifications and structures. The cages are commonly arranged in multiple layers, often three or four layers, which can make full use of the space in the chicken house and increase the breeding density. Each cage provides a certain amount of space to ensure that broiler chickens have sufficient room for movement. Inside the cages, there are feed troughs and water troughs. The feed troughs are for placing feed, and the water troughs supply clean drinking water. The design of these troughs is convenient for broiler chickens to feed and drink, while also reducing the waste of feed and water.
2. Advantages

• Enhanced Space Utilization
  With the multi-layer arrangement of chicken cages, the number of broiler chickens raised per unit area is significantly increased. This allows for raising more broilers within the limited space of the chicken house, reducing the cost of land. It is especially suitable for areas where land resources are scarce.

• Convenient Management and Disease Prevention
  Broiler chickens are kept in cages, which makes it easier for breeders to carry out daily management tasks such as observation, feeding, cleaning, and disease prevention and control. It is more convenient to conduct health checks on each chicken, and sick chickens can be quickly identified and isolated for treatment, minimizing the risk of disease spread. Moreover, due to the cage structure, feces can directly fall through the gaps at the bottom of the cage into the manure ditch below, making feces cleaning more convenient and helping to maintain a hygienic environment in the chicken house.

• Higher Feed Conversion Rate
  In a cage environment, broiler chickens have a relatively limited range of movement, resulting in lower energy consumption. As a result, more nutrients can be used for growth and development, thus improving the feed conversion rate and reducing feed costs.

• High Production Efficiency
  Cage raising of broilers enables automated operations for feeding, watering, and manure removal, reducing manual labor intensity and improving the efficiency of the breeding process. This facilitates the realization of large-scale and industrialized farming.