INTRODUCTION
Poultry production is one of the most important and dynamic sectors of the food industry worldwide.
The versatility of this industry allows meeting the demand for various products, such as poultry meat, eggs, and poultry by-products, which has generated a wide diversity of poultry production and grading systems.
There are different poultry production systems that vary according to the producer’s objectives, the type of poultry and local conditions.
These production systems can be intensive (cage), semi-intensive (floor) or extensive (grazing), and each has its own characteristics in terms of poultry management and infrastructure used.
1. Intensive production system (cage)
In these systems, birds are raised under controlled conditions that optimize production by managing factors such as temperature, ventilation, lighting and feed. Most birds are housed in cages or enclosed sheds, where every aspect of the environment is controlled to maximize production efficiency. This is the predominant system in commercial meat and egg production due to its high productivity.
Battery cages: These are one of the most widely used systems in layer production. Birds are housed in groups inside cages arranged in several levels, which allows an efficient use of space. This system facilitates egg collection, automated feeding and bird health monitoring.
Floor systems: This method, common in poultry production, allows birds to be raised on litter of organic material, such as shavings or straw. Environmental control is key to the growth of birds in this system.
2. Semi-intensive production system (floor)
They are a hybrid between intensive and extensive systems, where birds have access to outdoor areas during part of the day, but are housed in covered facilities during the night or in certain climatic conditions. This system is common in smaller productions or on market-oriented farms that value animal welfare and more natural bird management.
3. Extensive production system (grazing)
In this type of production, birds are raised outdoors during the entire production cycle. The birds are free to move around, feed naturally and have access to shelter when required. This system is the least efficient in terms of productivity.
Innovation and technology in cage systems
A fundamental part of poultry production systems are the facilities, and in particular, the cages where the birds are housed.
Cage design has a direct impact on bird welfare and farm productivity.
Zucami, a leader in the design and manufacture of poultry equipment, has developed a wide range of breeding solutions with a focus on efficiency, animal welfare and sustainability.
Types of cages offered by Zucami
Zucami offers innovative cage systems designed to improve the quality of life of laying hens and increase productivity.
Its cages are equipped with advanced technology that optimizes ventilation, egg collection and waste management. Some of the featured products are:
1. Enriched cage
Adequate facilities for light breeders are especially important, as only healthy hens will achieve high reproductive rates. In addition, 3 tiers are available, the breeder system configuration facilitates high stocking density, the mechanism favors the production of clean hatching eggs, low mortality rate is guaranteed and they are designed to have flocks of 40/80 birds.
2. Pre-Enriched Cage
ZUCAMI Pre-Enriched Cages are designed to provide layers with the ideal environment for their adaptation and development, besides being the ideal space to reach high productivity levels. In this type of cages, the eggs are cradled in a conveyor for subsequent centralization and classification. The design facilitates cleaning and ensures greater hygiene, is made with high quality elements, is sustainable and effective with the animal welfare of the birds, is ideal for healthy layers, efficient feed conversion is achieved and a high yield in production is achieved.
3. Breeder-Rearer Cage
Zucami’s breeding-rearing cage system offers producers an innovative and revolutionary design that provides an optimal environment to meet the growth and development needs of the birds. In addition, it has an easy and fast assembly system thanks to a simple and intuitive concept, easy access to water by adapting the line of drinkers to the growth of the birds, maximum production results are obtained, it has a solid design and extraordinary performance, the facilities are manufactured with galvanized steel which allows greater durability, it has an ideal lighting and there is an evident reduction in the mortality rate.
4. Broiler cages
All broiler cages integrate elements that offer an optimal growing environment for the birds, and therefore, an exceptional way to perfect broiler production. In this type of cages, we can obtain excellent conversion results because it generates a high production density, allows a better management for the poultry farmer reducing cost savings time and labor time, there is an adequate distribution of elements providing a quick and easy cleaning and disinfection.
5. Layer cage
Factors such as bird health, production performance, environmental elements, and excellent conditions for the poultry farmer are the perfect reasons to choose Zucami systems. In this type of cages, there is a maximization of feed utilization, the design allows for the collection of clean eggs without breakage, there is ease and comfort in the movement of the birds at all levels, maximum production results can be obtained, and better sanitary control is achieved, generating the best conditions for the poultry farmer.
Animal welfare considerations
The global trend towards animal welfare has led to a significant transformation in poultry production, including the evolution of cage systems. Companies such as Zucami have adapted to these new demands by developing systems that not only meet welfare standards, but also improve productivity.
