How to choose the right aviary to optimise your production

June, an important month in the production calendar in many regions of Latin America, is an excellent opportunity to evaluate existing facilities or plan new investments before the start of the second half of the year.

In this article, we explore the essential factors to consider when choosing a poultry house, with the aim of optimising production, improving animal comfort and ensuring more efficient management of resources.

1. Type of production: Poneras

In layer production, the design of the poultry house must focus on optimising the performance and welfare of the birds.

Laying hens need facilities that guarantee constant and convenient access to feeders, drinkers, individual nests and resting areas.

Ease of handling and efficient cleaning are also key factors, as they contribute to maintaining flock health and reducing bird stress, which has a direct impact on the quality and quantity of egg production.

There are several aviaries on the market that stand out for their design, functionality and adaptation to the laying hens’ requirements. These include:

• Green Start rearing aviary, ideal for the early stages, which allows the chicks to be trained to jump on the suspended platforms, reach the feeders and drinkers and move around naturally. At the same time, daily management tasks are made easier thanks to a complete overview of all the elements.
• The Green Way Aviary, thanks to its wide adaptability, allows for maximum poultry housing capacity in any size of building. It is a very versatile system that covers all the possible configurations that can be found in different projects.
• Aviary Vision, designed to offer excellent visibility and control of the flock, with an integral focus on efficiency and bird comfort. These systems represent modern and efficient solutions that meet the current demands of laying poultry farming.

2. Design and ventilation: the key to a controlled environment

One of the most important aspects of poultry farming performance is the quality of the internal environment. A well-designed poultry house must

• Ensure a controlled air flow, eliminating excess heat, ammonia and humidity.
• Have adequate thermal insulation, especially in areas with extreme climates.
• Be equipped with mechanical ventilation or a wind tunnel, depending on the system and the size of the building.
• Integrate mist cooling systems or evaporative cooling panels, which are essential for dealing with heatwaves in the coming months.

A poorly ventilated environment affects feed consumption, growth, laying and the general health of the birds.

3. Technical advice: an essential step

Advice from specialists in poultry engineering, animal husbandry, animal health and biosecurity is indispensable during the planning, design and selection phase of the poultry house.

These professionals not only assess the characteristics of the terrain, climate, solar orientation and air flow, but can also carry out environmental simulations and production projections to ensure an informed and personalised choice.

In addition, good technical advice helps to avoid common design mistakes that can be costly or impossible to correct. An error in fan placement, floor type, nest layout or litter management can lead to considerable economic losses.

Finally, consultants can also provide guidance on selecting the most viable housing system, taking into account local and international regulations, market trends and animal welfare certification possibilities.