Constructing A Broiler Chicken House In South Africa

Building a broiler chicken house in South Africa requires careful planning and design to ensure the health and productivity of the birds. The structure should be well-ventilated, protected from strong winds, and provide adequate space for the chickens to move around comfortably. It is recommended to consult with a professional engineer to ensure proper structural integrity and foundation design. The choice of materials is crucial, with weather-resistant and easy-to-clean options being ideal. The set-up of the chicken house should also consider the availability of electricity and the implementation of technology for efficient temperature control, ventilation, feed and water distribution, and manure removal.

Planning and designing a broiler chicken house

Location and Environment:

Select a location that offers partial shade during hotter months, protecting the chickens from direct sunlight. Consider the wind direction to ensure the coop is well-ventilated but not exposed to strong winds that could damage the structure. Ensure proper drainage to prevent water pooling and moisture-related issues. Maintain biosecurity by locating the coop away from high-traffic areas and other animals. In South Africa, the opening should face north to avoid strong winds and reduce the risk of structural damage.

Size and Capacity:

Determine the size of your operation before designing the house. Provide sufficient space to allow for 8-12 square meters per chicken. Consider starting small and gradually expanding by building additional houses as production increases. This approach can help manage input costs and avoid the need for excessive equipment and electricity for heating.

Ventilation and Temperature Control:

Opt for natural ventilation by orienting the house in a north/south direction. Use materials like corrugated iron for the longer walls to facilitate ventilation. Ensure continuous ventilation, as respiratory issues can impact meat birds. Control temperature by rolling up or down canvas on the sides of the coop. Provide young chickens with an ambient temperature of 21°C to 37°C, depending on their production stage, and adult birds with about 21°C.

Materials and Construction:

Choose materials that are strong, weather-resistant, and easy to clean. Consider wood framing with wire mesh or plywood panels for walls, concrete flooring for moisture control and durability, and zinc sheets or metal roofing for weather protection. The structure should be easy to construct, requiring only basic tools, especially if electricity is not readily available in the area.

Health and Sanitation:

Prioritize sanitation to promote the health and well-being of your chickens. Implement pest control measures and ensure efficient manure removal to maintain a hygienic environment. Consult with professionals to ensure proper structural integrity and foundation design, especially for larger coops.

Technology and Automation:

Explore technology to enhance efficiency and productivity. Consider automated feed distribution, feed preservation, and solar solutions for backup power. Utilize data analysis tools like Big Farm Net to make informed decisions based on flock information.

By carefully considering these planning and design aspects, you can create an optimal environment for raising healthy and productive broiler chickens in South Africa.

Ventilation and temperature control

In South Africa, it is recommended that the opening of the chicken house faces north as strong winds usually do not come from that direction. This precaution will also help limit the possibility of a strong wind lifting the roof off the chicken house. Additionally, the opening should be covered in mesh to prevent the entry of wild birds, which can transmit diseases to chickens.

A naturally ventilated house can be scaled to any size and is the most affordable type of chicken house. To control the temperature effectively, the house must be oriented in a north/south direction. The two shortest sides of the house are usually constructed from bricks, while the two longer walls are made from corrugated iron. Canvas can be rolled up or down on these corrugated iron sides to control the temperature inside the house. It is important to provide young chickens with an ambient temperature of 21˚C to 37˚C (depending on the production stage) and adult birds with a temperature of about 21˚C. As hot air rises and cold air drops, thermometers measuring housing temperature must be at chicken height or knee height.

For meat production, good ventilation is essential to prevent respiratory issues in chickens. Broilers produce more heat as they grow very fast and will, therefore, need less artificial heat. A cold chicken will eat more to increase its body temperature, which will be more expensive to maintain due to increased feed intake, even though it is not producing optimally.

Sanitation and pest control

Location and Design:

• Choose a location with good drainage to prevent water from pooling around the chicken house, which can lead to moisture problems and diseases.
• Ensure the chicken house is not in an area with high traffic or where other animals roam to maintain biosecurity and keep your chickens healthy.
• The chicken house should be well-ventilated but protected from strong winds, which could damage the structure and disrupt the comfort of the chickens, affecting their feed intake and weight gain. In South Africa, it is recommended to orient the house in a north/south direction to control temperature and avoid strong winds, as they usually do not come from the north.
• The opening of the chicken house must be covered in mesh to prevent wild birds from entering and transmitting diseases.

Materials and Construction:

• Construct the chicken house using materials that are strong, weather-resistant, and easy to clean.
• For the walls, consider wood framing with wire mesh or plywood panels. These materials provide good ventilation while keeping pests and wild birds out.
• Concrete flooring is ideal for easy cleaning, moisture control, and durability.
• For roofing, use zinc sheets or metal roofing, which offer good weather protection.
• Consider a dome-shaped design for improved insulation and implement a computerized management system to control ventilation and temperature.

Manure Management:

• Ensure continuous manure removal to maintain the health and wellness of your chickens.
• Consider investing in a manure conveyor belt system to automatically remove manure from the house and deposit it into a composting system. This can also create additional income from the sale of compost.

Temperature Control:

• Provide young chickens with an ambient temperature of 21˚C to 37˚C, depending on their production stage, and adult birds with a temperature of about 21˚C.
• Use a spot heater for new chicks instead of heating the entire house to save electricity.
• Broilers produce more heat as they grow, so they will need less artificial heat.
• Control the temperature inside the house by rolling up or down canvas on the corrugated iron sides.

By following these guidelines, you can maintain high standards of sanitation and pest control in your broiler chicken house, contributing to the health and productivity of your flock.

Chicken house construction

Planning and Design:

Start by determining the size of your operation and the number of chickens you intend to house. Each chicken requires 8 to 12 square meters of space. Consider beginning small and expanding as production increases. Genetic advancements in the broiler industry should also be accounted for in your planning to ensure the housing facilities can accommodate future changes.

Location and Orientation:

Select a location that provides partial shade, especially during hotter months, while also ensuring proper sun exposure. Avoid placing the chicken house in an area with strong winds, as this can affect the comfort and feed intake of the chickens. In South Africa, it is recommended to orient the opening of the house towards the north to minimize the impact of strong winds. Ensure proper drainage to prevent water pooling and moisture-related issues. Maintain biosecurity by locating the chicken house away from high-traffic areas and other animals.

Materials and Construction:

Use materials that are strong, weather-resistant, and easy to clean. For the walls, consider wood framing with wire mesh or plywood panels. Concrete flooring is ideal for durability, easy cleaning, and moisture control. Zinc sheets or metal roofing provide good weather protection. Alternatively, you can opt for dome-shaped houses made with galvanized steel building kits, which offer improved insulation and weight per square meter. Ensure continuous ventilation by constructing the two longest walls with corrugated iron, allowing for natural ventilation and the ability to convert to day-range houses.

Temperature Control and Ventilation:

Provide an ambient temperature of 21°C to 37°C for young chickens, depending on their production stage, and maintain a temperature of about 21°C for adult birds. Use canvas or corrugated iron sides that can be adjusted to control temperature and ventilation. Ensure proper airflow at chicken height or knee height, as temperature variations occur within the house.

Additional Considerations:

Implement a dual fencing system, with an outer fence of 1.5 meters in height to separate the chicken house from public areas. Prioritize good ventilation, especially for meat production, to prevent respiratory issues. Ensure manure removal to maintain hygiene and reduce ammonia levels, which can impact bird health. Consider automated feed distribution and pest control systems to enhance efficiency and bird wellness.

Chicken health and productivity

Housing design, layout, and dimensions are crucial for productivity and profitability. The chicken house should be well-ventilated, with the opening facing north to prevent strong winds and the entry of wild birds, which can transmit diseases. The floor should be level and constructed to drain rainwater away from the building, and the walls should be insulated and covered with plywood or chipboard sheets for strength and durability. The most common type of naturally ventilated poultry house has two shorter brick walls and two longer walls made of corrugated iron.

Temperature control is essential for chicken health and productivity. Chickens that are too hot will open their wings, stop feeding, and use energy meant for weight gain or egg production to maintain body temperature. In cold temperatures, chickens will eat more to increase body temperature, which is expensive to maintain and reduces optimal production. Thus, providing the appropriate temperature for your chickens is vital.

Ventilation is critical for chicken health and productivity. Proper ventilation prevents high humidity and respiratory issues. A well-ventilated coop should have strategically placed vents to allow for fresh air circulation.

Lighting is crucial for chicken growth and egg production. Natural lighting can be optimised by orienting the chicken house in a north/south direction. Artificial lighting may also be necessary, especially for continual production year-round.

Feeding practices impact chicken health and productivity. Feed should be appropriate for the type of chicken and their life stage. For example, starter feed is typically used for young chicks during their initial growth phase.

Biosecurity measures are essential to prevent the spread of disease and maintain chicken health. This includes a dual fencing system, foot baths with disinfectants at entrances and exits, and designated entry and exit points.

Frequently asked questions