HOUSING ▶▶▶


Thoughts on future-ready layer operations


BY FRANK LUTTELS M


any producers looking to transition from caged to cage-free egg production have considered investing in combi systems, which are also re- ferred to as combination or convertible sys-


tems. These are often touted as an ideal solution for poultry houses due to a few key selling points, such as higher bird densities and the lower cost of installation compared with other systems. In fact, that is exactly why they were devel- oped — to improve upon the alternatives for floor systems and aviaries. Unfortunately, there are some misconceptions which could eventually lead to buyer’s remorse for producers. Below are five common beliefs about combi systems and the reasons to doubt each of them.


Bird training One of the biggest reasons for the development of combi sys- tems was to reduce the importance of pullet training. Train- ing is critical to the success of multi-tier aviaries because birds must begin learning from day one how to move between the various levels of the house. This training helps ensure birds find water and nests positioned at the mid-level of the aviary to minimise floor eggs. By contrast, the idea behind combi systems is to place water and nests on every level, theoreti- cally eliminating the need to train birds to move from level to level. However, experience has shown that without training, birds tend to congregate on just one level of the house, re- sulting in a variety of issues, including overcrowding, reduced egg quality and stress-related bird behaviours, such as feather pecking.


Ability to close doors Many combi systems include doors that can be closed. Pro- ducers often view this as a benefit, opting to close birds in during the initial weeks after a flock is introduced to a layer house, to help ease their transition from the pullet house. However, birds tend to get lazy when closed in for extended periods of time, since they are unable to move around, jump


With pressure on caged layer systems mounting, US producers are looking for alternatives. The combi systems, as they are known, offer a solution that is close to what farm operators are used to, but is such a system really future-ready in the eyes of both the producer and the consumer?


and perform natural bird behaviours. A level of atrophy may also develop, resulting in reduced bird performance. Addi- tionally, by the time the doors are eventually opened, the birds may have forgotten much of their training and are now less prepared for life in the layer house. They will likely congregate on one level of the house resulting in many of the same problems associated with poorly trained birds.


Reduced labour Combi systems are often thought to require less manage- ment due to having water and nests on every level. Nonethe- less, birds in a combi system often tend to congregate on one level, especially if they were not well trained as pullets. Hav- ing a disproportionate number of birds on the same level overwhelms the nests with eggs. In fact, producers can find twice the number of desired eggs on that level which can re- sult in a higher incidence of low-quality eggs. The greater bird density can also lead to other issues, such as hot spots and increased bird mortality. The only way to correct these problems is with more hands-on management to manually distribute birds throughout the house. Not only does this added labour cost more money, it can also be difficult to find employees who are willing to do these types of tasks. The complexity of combi systems adds another layer of man- agement needs. For instance, having nests on every level re- quires more egg belts, plus there are more places where dirt, dust and other contaminants can accumulate. Consequently, more labour is required to clean combi systems compared with multi-tier aviaries.


▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 8, 2021 37


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