4 Tier Vs. 3 Tier Layer Cages: Which Is Better for Your Farm?

In modern chicken farming, the number of tiers of chicken cages not only directly affects the utility rate of space, but also the initial investment, production efficiency, and difficulty of daily management. At present, the most common battery cages are 3-tier or 4-tier, which have a similar appearance but differ in many aspects such as structure, applicable scenario, and economic benefit. Which one suits you best? 3 tier layer cages or 4 tier layer cages? In this article, we will compare them from every perspective of view.

Structure and size

The main difference in structure between a 3 tier layer cage and a 4 tier layer cage lies in the height. 

3 tier layer cages: usually have a total height of 1.8m to 2.2m. It can adapt to almost all chicken houses and perform well with manual operation.

4 tier layer cages: usually have a total height of 2.4m to 2.8m. It is suitable for chicken houses that are higher than 3m, and is more adaptable to an automatic management system.

From the perspective of land area, there is not much difference. But the capacity of 4 tier layer cages is 30% or more larger than that of 3 tier layer cages. So, it improves the space utility rate.

Output and economic benefit

Chicken farms are keen to get more eggs and more benefits. We will compare the two from the following aspects.

Unit production capacity: The 4 tier layer cage can keep more chickens and produce more eggs, which is conducive to increasing egg production.

ROI: Although the initial investment of 4 tier layer cage is higher (about a 10-15% increase), the unit production capacity increase is prominent, and the return on investment is shorter.

Land cost savings: In areas with limited land resources (such as around African cities and mountainous regions in Asia), 4 tier chicken cages can effectively reduce the area required for chicken houses and save construction costs.

In conclusion, if the budget allows, a 4 tier layer cage is recommended because the mid-term to long-term return is higher.

The convenience of operation and maintenance

The more tiers of a layer cage mean more difficulties in the daily operation, especially in the chicken farms with a manual working method.

3 tier layer cages: It is convenient for manual workers to feed chickens, pick up eggs, and observe the health conditions of chickens, thus especially suitable for manually operated chicken farms.

4 tier layer cages: Higher tiers make it difficult to manage. It is advised to equip with automatic systems such as egg collecting machines, automatic feeding machines, and automatic manure removal systems, which can reduce labor intensity and costs.

If the chicken house can't meet the standard for installing a 4 tier layer chicken, but the labor is sufficient, a 3 tier layer cage is a good option that is suitable for flexible management.

Ventilation and chicken comfort

 The structure of a chicken house directly affects the ventilation and lighting.

3 tier layer cages: The distance between two tiers is large, the entire cage provides good ventilation, and is conducive to heat dissipation of chickens.

4 tier layer cages: The ventilation is slightly inferior to that of 3 tier cage. A ventilation system including exhaust fans, cooling pads is needed, especially in areas with high temperatures.

So, it is better to use a 3 tier layer cage in the tropics and areas with high temperature and high humidity. Otherwise, a 4 tier layer cage is a better choice for a chicken house that has good ventilation.

Applicable scenario suggestions

 According to different breeding scales and site conditions, we suggest as following.

Customer feedback

Case one: Nigeria client

Af first, a 3 tier layer cage system is used to manage 5,000 chickens. Later, a 4 tier layer cage system was introduced, and the capacity rose to 7,000 chickens. The total increase in egg output is 38%, and the annual income has increased by 25%.

Case two: Indonesian client

Even under high-temperature situations, the client still chooses a 4 tier layer cage system with exhaust fans to control the climate. The configuration brings healthy chickens and greatly reduced labor costs.

Conclusion

Both 3 tier layer cage and 4 tier layer cage have their advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to make a choice based on your actual situation, including the scale of the farm, site conditions, management method, budget, etc. For those who seek high profit and are up to the modern breeding standards, the 4 tier layer cage is the first choice for its high rate of space utility. On the other hand, the 3 tier layer cage is especially for small-scale chicken farm owners for its economic and practical benefits.

If you still have questions about what kind of chicken cages should be chosen, feel free to contact us! The quotation is free and customized based on your specific condition. We pursue high-cost performance to fuel your chicken farm business and make a profit!