Cage Free Chicken House: A Practical Solution for Raising Chicken
As consumer demand for animal welfare-friendly eggs continues to grow, more poultry farms are transitioning from conventional cage systems to cage-free housing systems. A cage-free chicken house allows laying hens to move freely within the poultry house, providing a more natural living environment while maintaining efficient commercial egg production.
Today, cage-free housing has become an important trend in many countries and regions. Large egg producers, supermarkets, and food brands are increasingly adopting cage-free egg sourcing policies, creating new opportunities for poultry farmers worldwide.
Whether you are planning a new layer farm or upgrading an existing facility, choosing the right cage free chicken house design is essential for productivity, bird welfare, and long-term profitability.
A cage-free chicken house means raising chickens without cages, usually adopting “two highs and one low,” that is, the two sides of the racks are higher, and the ground in the middle of the chicken house is lower. The middle ground of the chicken house is laid with bedding, and the two sides are 35 cm away from the ground. Chickens drink and get food only on the shelf, most of the manure falls under the shelf, but chickens can touch the manure on the litter, so the management of litter is strict, otherwise it is difficult to control the occurrence of diseases, and the stocking density is generally 4.8 /㎡. This is one of the most important and common methods for cage-free chicken houses.
The main daily tasks of the breeders in the cage-free chicken house are feeding the chickens, picking eggs, repairing the chicken house, and sterilising. There is not too high technical content, new staff can be on duty without strict training, and it is easy to manage.
The cage-free poultry house usually includes a pan feeding system, nipple drinking line, ventilation system, and cooling pad system.
Different Types of Cage-Free Chicken Houses
A cage-free chicken house is a poultry housing system where laying hens are not confined in traditional battery cages. Instead, birds can move freely within designated areas of the poultry house and have access to feeders, drinkers, nesting areas, and resting spaces.
Compared with poultry battery cages, a cage-free chicken house gives chickens more free space. Generally speaking, commercial cage-free housing systems are divided into three categories for farmers to choose from. The most advanced one is a cage-free chicken house with a slatted floor. The second one is a deep litter poultry house or laying a blanket or something else on the floor, and the last one is an aviary system. Customers can choose the slatted floor chicken house, the deep-litter house, or the aviary system according to their requirements. No matter which cage-free chicken house, it is clean and highly efficient, and can raise poultry more easily.
Plastic Slatted Flooring for Poultry
Plastic slatted flooring raises birds above the manure collection area, allowing droppings to fall through the floor gaps.
This design improves hygiene, reduces contact between birds and manure, and simplifies daily cleaning. With plastic slatted flooring, you can realize better manure management, improve flock health, reduce labor requirements, and get cleaner eggs.
The cage-free chicken house with a slatted floor system is made of high-strength, wear-resistant polypropylene. This plastic floor is designed for a cage-free poultry house to replace a wood floor, which is because a plastic slatted floor has the advantages of durable, cost-effective, bacteria-resistant, and long lifespan, etc. It can separate poultry and manure, create a suitable environment for the poultry. What’s more, a plastic slatted floor is easy to install and to clean. Plastic slatted floor system is suitable for commercial layer farms, medium and large-scale poultry operations, and farms seeking higher production efficiency.
We can offer different plastic slatted floors with various sizes and hole sizes. Tell us the types of your poultry, the quantity, and other requirements.
Deep Litter System
In a deep litter house, birds live directly on bedding materials such as wood shavings, rice husks, or straw.
The litter absorbs moisture and provides a comfortable surface for scratching and dust bathing. This system is commonly used on small and medium-sized poultry farms. A deep litter system has the advantages of low initial investment, simple management, and being suitable for small-scale operations.
Not like a cage-free chicken house with a slatted floor for various poultry, a deep litter house is mostly suitable for broiler chickens, that is because deep litter can absorb moisture, dilute fecal material, and provide insulation and cushion between the birds and the floor. But deep litter is cheaper than a slatted floor. So, according to your real situation to choose the most proper cage-free poultry house.
For deep litter house, choose the soft materials as bedding is better for your poultry. When the bedding is dirty, just change it, which is easier than cleaning the whole poultry house.
Aviary System
The aviary system is one of the most advanced cage-free housing solutions available today. Birds can move vertically and horizontally through multiple levels equipped with:
- Feeding lines.
- Drinking systems.
- Nest boxes.
- Perches.
- Automatic manure removal systems.
The aviary system combines improved animal welfare with high production efficiency and is increasingly adopted by modern commercial egg farms.
Advantages of Aviary System
- Higher stocking capacity.
- Better bird activity.
- Efficient egg collection.
- Automated farm management.
Why Choose AGICO Cage Free Chicken House Solutions?
AGICO provides complete cage-free poultry housing solutions tailored to different farm scales and production requirements.
Our services include:
- Poultry house layout design.
- Equipment selection.
- Farm planning consultation.
- Installation guidance.
- Technical support.
Each project is customized according to local climate conditions, bird capacity, and customer investment goals.
Benefits of Cage Free Chicken Houses
Improved Animal Welfare
Cage-free systems allow hens to express natural behaviors such as walking, perching, nesting, wing stretching, and dust bathing. This creates a more welfare-friendly environment compared with conventional cage systems.
Increased Market Opportunities
Many retailers, restaurants, and food processing companies now prefer cage-free eggs. Farms that adopt cage-free production may gain access to premium markets and long-term supply contracts.
Better Public Perception
Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about how food is produced. Cage-free production helps farms align with evolving market expectations and animal welfare standards.
Flexible Housing Design
Cage-free systems can be adapted to different farm sizes and management goals, ranging from small family farms to large commercial layer operations.
Come and Get Your Own Cage Free Poultry House!
Cage-free poultry house gives your poultry more free space, and it has the advantages of high efficiency, low price, bacteria resistance, long lifespan, etc. Please get a quote without hesitation! We will offer you wonderful service all the time!
Specification of AGICO Plastic Slatted Floor
| Product Name | Chicken plastic slatted floor |
|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene(PP) |
| Color | nickel white |
| Size | 1200*500*40mm |
| Weight | 2.3kg or 2 kg |
| Grid size | 2.3kg or 2 kg grid size 20*24 or 16*16mm |
| Beam material | PVC or FRP |
| Tube diameter | 50mm |
Cage-Free Chicken House Design Guide
Proper poultry house design plays a critical role in bird performance and farm profitability. So, before you want to begin your cage-free chicken house, make sure the design is reasonable.
House Orientation
The poultry house should be positioned to maximize natural airflow and minimize heat stress. In tropical regions, east-west orientation is commonly recommended.
Ventilation System
Good ventilation helps remove excess heat, moisture, dust, and harmful gases. Natural ventilation may be sufficient for smaller houses, while larger commercial projects often require mechanical ventilation systems.
Lighting Program
A well-designed lighting program supports consistent egg production, improved feed intake, and better flock uniformity. LED lighting systems are increasingly used due to their energy efficiency and longer service life.
Feeding and Drinking Systems
Automatic feeding and nipple drinking systems can significantly reduce labor requirements while ensuring birds receive uniform access to feed and water.
Nesting Area Design
Providing sufficient nest space helps reduce floor eggs and improves egg cleanliness. A properly designed nesting system also minimizes egg breakage during collection.
Recommended Stocking Density for Cage Free Layer Farms
Stocking density depends on local regulations, bird breed, climate conditions, and management practices. Maintaining appropriate stocking density helps reduce stress, improve flock health, and support stable egg production.
| Housing System | Recommended Birds/m² |
|---|---|
| Deep Litter | 4-5 |
| Plastic Slatted Floor | 5-7 |
| Aviary System | 7-9 |
Factors Affecting Cage-Free Chicken House Cost
Poultry House Size
Larger poultry houses generally require greater investment in construction materials and equipment.
Number of Birds
Housing capacity directly influences equipment specifications and system configuration.
Automation Level
Projects equipped with: Automatic feeding systems, Automatic drinking systems, Automatic manure removal systems and Egg collection systems typically require higher initial investment but can significantly reduce operating costs.
Environmental Control Equipment
Ventilation fans, cooling pads, heating systems, and environmental monitoring equipment may be required depending on local climate conditions.
FAQ of Cage-Free Chicken House
Yes. Modern cage-free systems such as aviary and slatted floor housing are widely used in commercial layer farms around the world.
Cage-free hens are housed indoors and can move freely within the poultry house. Free-range hens have indoor housing with access to outdoor areas.
Plastic slatted flooring is one of the most popular options because it improves hygiene and simplifies manure management. Aviary system is also popular in European countries and America.
Capacity depends on housing design, stocking density, and local regulations. Commercial projects can range from several thousand birds to hundreds of thousands of birds.
Yes. Modern cage-free systems can incorporate automatic feeding, drinking, manure removal, egg collection, and environmental control systems.
The frequency depends on the housing system and environmental conditions. Automated manure removal systems can significantly improve efficiency and reduce labor costs.
Important considerations include climate conditions, flock size, ventilation design, equipment selection, labor availability, and future expansion plans.
