Cage chickens are more suitable for large-scale farming than flat-bottomed chickens for several reasons:
- Space utilization rate: Cage chickens can greatly improve the utilization rate of breeding space. In limited space, cage chickens can be stacked on top of each other, making it possible to raise more chickens in a relatively small space. Flat bottom farming requires a larger site, and the amount of breeding in the same space is less.
- Breeding density: Cage chickens can achieve a higher breeding density, which is conducive to epidemic prevention and disease transmission among chickens. In the cage, the activity space of the chickens is relatively fixed, which is conducive to the observation and management of the breeders, and the timely detection and treatment of abnormal situations. The density of chickens raised in flat bottom is low, and it is difficult for breeders to fully grasp the health status of each chicken, and it is difficult to prevent and control diseases.
- Feed utilization rate: caged chickens have a higher feed utilization rate and less waste. The chickens cannot move around freely in the cage and have a limited range of movement, thus reducing the waste of feed. Flat-bottomed chickens have a large range of activities, which can easily lead to waste of feed.
- Biosafety: Cage chickens facilitate the implementation of biosafety measures. Breeders can more easily provide chickens with clean water, feed and immunizations, reducing the risk of disease. Biosafety management on flat-bottomed chicken farms is relatively difficult, and chickens are easily exposed to contaminants, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
- Labor intensity: Cage chickens can reduce the labor intensity of breeders. In caged chicken farms, breeders can stand up to observe and manage the chickens. And flat bottom farming requires frequent entry into the chicken house, bending over work, labor intensity is greater.
- Economic benefits: Cage chickens can improve breeding benefits. Due to the advantages of space utilization, breeding density, feed utilization and so on, the breeding cost of cage chickens is relatively low and the economic benefits are higher.
In summary, cage chickens are more suitable for large-scale breeding, which is conducive to improving breeding efficiency and reducing breeding costs, and is conducive to disease prevention and control and environmental protection. But at the same time, attention should be paid to the welfare of caged chickens to ensure that the chickens receive adequate welfare and health. In our country, the government and relevant departments are also strengthening the supervision of aquaculture industry and guiding aquaculture enterprises to the road of sustainable development.