How to make cages for laying hens with your own hands, types and sizes
In order for chickens to have good productivity, they must be well cared for. One of the most important questions is how to properly make a chicken cage. If done correctly, poultry will be kept in a comfortable environment. The laying house should be designed in such a way as to best take into account the peculiarities of raising chickens.
The main pros and cons of cages for layers
Proponents of the idea that it is better to grow layers in a closed space of cages have their own arguments for this:
- With this method of keeping, birds are completely protected from attacks by predators.
- The degree of control over the health of the bird is much higher than in the open space. Here you can immediately see a sick bird and take the necessary measures in this regard.
- Since contact with the outside world is limited, the likelihood of contracting infectious diseases is minimized.
- There are more suitable conditions in the cage in order to ensure long-term egg production.
- It is easy to collect eggs that have been laid in confined spaces. In open space, sometimes chickens hide them in secluded places where they are difficult to find.
- Due to limited mobility, birds living in cages eat less, which saves feed.
- The use of cages makes it possible to place more chickens in the farmer's area.
Some farmers oppose cage keeping. They put forward the following arguments:
- The confined space limits the mobility of the layers and, as a result, their productivity decreases.
- The cages are kept in a shed or chicken coop, and artificial light is used for them. As a result, low ultraviolet irradiation results in the formation of a small amount of vitamin D, which must be added to the laying hens' food.
- Keeping in cages prevents chickens from eating natural food (grass, insects). To compensate for insufficient quality nutrition, special nutritional supplements are required.
- When several birds are together, infectious diseases spread among them at great speed.
On the one hand, free-range chickens have the opportunity to lead a healthier life, while increasing the number of problems for their owner. On the other hand, with careful and thoughtful care, the disadvantages of confined bird keeping can be compensated for.
For example, you can do the following to do this:
- Keep hens in a confined space only during the cold season, allowing them to spend time outdoors in spring, summer and autumn.
- Add fresh grass to their feeder.
- When keeping birds in cages, avoid overcrowding.
- Change the bedding often enough for the birds to feel more comfortable.
The better the laying hens are cared for, the higher productivity can be expected from them.
Construction requirements
Provide bird feeders and drinkers. It is believed that none of the walls of the structure should be blank. It is necessary to provide a microclimate that is best suited for chickens - the cages should be warm and dry.
Dimensions
The area of the cage should be calculated based on how many layers the owner has. For one bird, you need to provide 600 sq. cm. The total area should be such that it could accommodate all birds, taking into account the compliance with the specified standard given for the egg-laying breed. For egg and meat breeds, more space will be required - 800 sq. cm for each bird.
Strength
You need to take care of the strength of the floor. If it is weak, then over time it will bend. It is necessary that the metal rods forming the lattice are strong and the holes small. They should protect birds from predators, some of which (eg ferrets or weasels) are able to crawl through a small hole.
Lighting
It is necessary to ensure that the light illuminates all cells evenly. There should be no semi-darkness or too bright lighting here. It will be helpful to use a dimmer to ensure that the lights turn off and on smoothly, mimicking the natural cycle of day and night.
The presence of an egg collector
This part is an inclined mesh with a stop along the bottom side. When the chickens lay their eggs, they roll down and stay along the edge, which is located where they can be easily collected. At the same time, the hen cannot reach them and accidentally damage them.
Cell types
The cages are kept indoors during the cold season (in a chicken coop or shed). In summer, it is allowed to take chicken houses out into the open air. In this case, it is necessary to provide for them to be sheltered from above from possible rain. For this purpose, you can, for example, use slate or other similar material.
A dwelling for chickens can be made in different ways, depending on the tasks set and on the available financial capabilities. For example, the following options are possible:
- Cages in which litter is provided. A blank floor is made in them, on which a layer of straw or sawdust is laid.
- A design in which the presence of an egg collector is provided. In this case, the floor is made tilted so that the laid eggs lie compactly and in one part of the cage. The floor is made double. The lower layer is made solid, and the upper one should be lattice. This type of cage helps keep the chicken house clean and dry.
In most cases, such designs are made for several chickens. They are usually designed for 7-10 birds. If we are talking about a large farm, then the capacity may be greater.
If the farm has a lot of birds, then the cages have a battery: in rows of several floors.
Required tools and materials
You can make a cage using a variety of materials, but the most common use is a galvanized metal mesh, which is fixed to a wooden or metal frame.
This is beneficial because this ensures good air exchange with the surrounding space and high-quality lighting in the presence of windows in the room.
To make a cage that will contain 4-5 layers, you need to prepare the following materials:
- Wooden block with a cross section of 4 × 4 cm. 3 m long - 5 pieces are required.2 × 4 cm of the same length - 3 pcs.
- For the walls, floor and ceiling, a 1-meter-wide net with a length of 3 m is required. The cells should have a size from 15 × 15 mm to 25 × 25 mm.
- For the front wall, you need to prepare a 1 × 1 m metal lattice with 5 × 10 cm cells.
- You will need metal corners to create a frame.
- We need two types of self-tapping screws: for fastening the frame and with large caps for installing the mesh.
- Galvanized sheet metal for the manufacture of pallets with a thickness of 1-1.5 mm.
Tools needed:
- hacksaw;
- screwdriver;
- square, level and tape measure;
- grinder for working with mesh and galvanized.
The dimensions of the cage in this case are 50 × 100 cm in length and width, 45 cm in height.
Manufacturing instruction
To make a cage with your own hands, you need to consistently follow the steps described below. Initially, it is necessary to draw up a scheme according to which the assembly will take place.
Frame, grille and sheathing
First, you need to cut the wooden block into pieces of the desired length and make up the cage frame from them. A thinner bar is used for the lattice on which the cage is to be installed.
The side and back walls must be made with a grill.
Attach the mesh to the side and back walls, floor and ceiling.
Bottom, pallet and legs
The bottom is made of a fine-mesh lattice. When installing, it is necessary to provide a slope towards the front. The front edge of the grate must be folded up to prevent the eggs from rolling.
Under it, about 10-15 cm lower, there is a pallet. It can be made of sheet metal or a horizontal wooden plane. Garbage and waste products of chickens fall on the pallet. It is taken out, cleaned and then put in place. It is generally recommended to clean the pallet at least twice a week.
If the cage is too large, it will be difficult to clean the entire pan at once. In this case, it can be made consisting of several parts, each of which can be cleaned separately.
If the cage is supposed to be taken out into the street, legs with wheels are attached from below.
Front wall
A feeder is installed on the front wall. There should be such holes so that the hen can stick her head between the rods in order to reach the food. It is believed that the minimum size of the cells in this place should be 5 × 10 cm. A drinker is placed 10 cm higher.
The front wall usually has a door through which the birds are placed in or out of the cage. With a single-tier arrangement, it can be made in the form of a folding roof.
Lighting
Provide even, but not too bright lighting for the birds. It will need to be turned off at night.
Ceiling
The ceiling is made of a metal grid. It is attached to the cage frame with self-tapping screws.
Roof
The material from which it is better to make the lid depends on whether it is supposed to take out the cage outside in the warm season. If so, then it is made of solid material to protect it from precipitation. In this case, it is recommended to provide a slope to ensure water flow.
If the chicken house remains indoors, then you do not need to make a cover for this purpose.
Care
It is recommended to clean the pallet at least twice a week. Drinking water must be kept clean at all times. In addition, the feeder and drinker should be cleaned and washed at least twice a week.
