Question

Which of the following are essential for proper housing conditions in the poultry farms?

• A. 1 and 4
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1 and 3
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

The correct option is C 1 and 3

Poultry farming is the rearing, breeding and caring of various types of domestic birds like chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese for the commercial production of eggs and meat.

Poultry farming includes rearing of layers and broilers. Layers are birds that are reared for good quality eggs and broilers are reared for meat.

One of the most important aspects of good poultry farming is to house the birds properly and provide them proper care, shelter (housing) and a hygienic disease free environment.

Good housing conditions for poultry birds includes

• Provision for good ventilation in the poultry farms.
• Appropriate lighting in the poultry houses.
• Maintenance of a clean, dry and hygienic environment and preventing waterlogging in the poultry houses.
• Maintaining an appropriate temperature within the poultry houses.
• Spreading litter on the floor of the poultry houses and regularly cleaning the bird wastes.
• Provision for fresh and clean drinking water.
• Provision for protection from predators.

Maximum yield of poultry can be obtained by keeping the birds in a clean, dry and comfortable house that has good ventilation. Raising the birds in closed and poorly ventilated houses interferes with their breathing. This affects their health and productivity.

Temperature is one of the primary environmental factors that determines the productivity of poultry. High temperatures can have detrimental effects on the poultry and can create a stressful environment. This will affect egg production and egg quality of layers. It will reduce growth rate in broilers.

Experiencing environmental stress during the growing period of broilers often leads to low meat quality. Thus it is necessary that poultry houses are kept reasonably cool in the summers and warm in the winters.

Duration of exposure to light and intensity of light is crucial in increasing the egg production. Birds reared under proper lighting lay more eggs.

Waterlogging is accumulation of water in an area. This may lead to growth of pathogens, vectors (responsible for disease transmission) and create unhealthy living conditions which will adversely affect the health of the birds. A good drainage system is required to prevent waterlogging in the poultry farms to have a clean and dry environment.

Hence, 1 and 3 are correct.

Figure: Poultry farm