Aviary Housing System

Aviary housing, or aviary system, is a type of multi-tier cage-free housing system mainly designed for laying hens in large-scale chicken farming. Like the plastic slatted floor, aviary housing offers a large activity space for each bird and can meet the natural habits of laying hens. The hens are free to move around and utilize all areas of the system for natural foraging and digging. Compared to battery cage systems, aviary housing provides laying hens with more options, such as freedom of movement, perching, nesting, dust bathing, foraging, and social interaction. By performing their nature, laying hens tend to stay healthy and are more productive. Generally speaking, the aviary farm is designed to have 9 birds per square meter, which means each bird takes 0.11 m² in the poultry house. The density can be altered depending on specific needs.

• Improved animal welfare
• Better bird activity
• Higher market value of eggs
• Compliance with welfare regulations

Europe banned the use of chicken cages in 2012. It is not surprising that aviary poultry systems originated in Europe to meet the demand for cage-free eggs. Many states in the USA have also published restrictions on cage rearing. After years of practicing and improvement, a typical aviary house today is usually multi-tiered with a bottom level, a nest level, and a top level. A new type of 2-tier aviary system has been introduced, too. 

Variable solutions for the aviary housing system

FAMtech provides various options for aviary systems, such as American-style aviary systems, European-style aviary systems, and Chinese-style aviary systems. Customers from the USA tend to choose a pan-feeding system for the aviary. Regardless of the chosen system type, FAMtech offers the following integrated solutions.

Complete aviary system supply

FAMtech is a one-stop solution provider for aviary systems, including mainframes, supporting structures, nest boxes, feeding and drinking systems, manure-cleaning systems, egg-collecting systems, climate control systems, and floor structures. We are capable of designing, manufacturing, delivering, installing, and managing. 

Custom aviary farm design

Our design team is skilled at 3D drawings and can deliver tailor-made solutions to meet variable customer demands. The equipment, automation level, and chicken farm size and type are all based on thorough research and negotiation with customers.

Technical support

FAMtech not only offers custom aviary farm layout design but also equipment configuration, installation guidance, and farm management training.

Experienced global project

FAMtech has rich experience in global aviary system construction. With the help of our technicians, our customers can finish the installation by themselves after the training. The rapid delivery of projects saves clients' time and money.

What can you get from aviary housing?

The aviary housing system has been proven to offer various benefits, including healthier laying hens, more productive hens, and increased egg production. FAMtech aviary systems are designed according to different breeds and feeding stages. We pay special attention to creating a comfortable environment that allows laying hens to express their natural characters with less stress.

• High stocking density                       
  More hens can be housed due to the maximum utilization of vertical space afforded by the multi-tiered designs.
• Increased egg production                       
  Hens in the aviary system have less stress and are more productive, which brings more revenue for farmers.
• High egg quality                       
  Hens are laying eggs in defined nests, reducing the number of dirty and damaged eggs.
• Easy management                       
  Automatic feeding, watering, and egg collection systems reduce manual labor. The open design makes the monitoring of flock health and behavior easier.
• Operational benefits                       
  Manure belts and removal systems can improve air quality and reduce disease risk. Lower disease rates can save costs and improve flock health. 
• Welfare and compliance                       
  The aviary housing system is beneficial to animal welfare and has a positive public perception to avoid legal issues.
• Environmental benefit                       
  Chickens moving in a much larger space are conducive to the natural decomposition and absorption of manure, which reduces pollution to the environment.
• Long-term sustainability                       
  Healthy, productive hens contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for frequent flock replacement.

Why FAMtech?

• Animal welfare compliance                      
  Compliance with EU regulations and standards on laying hen housing, feeding, transport, and handling.
• Competitive price                      
  The price of our aviary system is competitive not only in China but also in Europe, Southeast Asia, etc., regions.
• Efficient solution                      
  Our aviary system, with an average of 6-9 laying hens per square meter, increases capacity by 12%.
• Fewer floor eggs                      
  Our aviary system reduces the number of eggs laid outside the nest, with statistics indicating a rate of less than 1.5%.
• Higher egg quality                      
  Cleaner and high-quality eggs due to satisfied hens from sufficient free space, water, and feeding; LED lighting; nesting areas; and manure isolation.
• Longer service life                      
  Robust materials for the construction of all systems ensure longevity and reduce repair problems.
• Full service                      
  Integrated services including aviary system design, manufacture, installation guidance, staff training, and system operating and maintenance support.

Aviary housing project

FAMtech has global project experience with footprints in over 80 countries. Below is an aviary system project for laying hens in the United States for your reference. The aviary housing system is composed of 24 buildings, a large-scale cage-free system featuring high egg productivity, high efficiency, ease of management, and animal welfare orientation.

FAMtech is committed to offering efficient solutions covering cage or non-cage housing systems, auxiliary equipment, and poultry house design. We are dedicated to providing products and services beyond customer expectations. Our comprehensive products serve not only chickens but also other poultry such as rabbits and quails.

Core components of the aviary housing system

Multi-Tier Aviary Structure

Multi-level platforms: 2-tier and 3-tier are popular, according to the sales record. For one thing, Hens can move vertically and horizontally. For another, it effectively avoids bird congregating and hotspot generation. Without clustering, the ventilation and climate are better.

Bird movement areas: Hens enjoy walking on perches during the day at different heights and sleep at higher levels, which reduces stress and promotes better sleep. Sufficient perching behavior is conducive to the foot and bone health of chickens.

Larger walking space: The activity platform is made of a smooth, burr-free alloy to protect the hen's skin and feathers. All welds are smooth. Open aviaries allow laying hens to walk, run, and fly freely, not only on perches but also to scratch on litter floors.

Nesting System

Communal nest boxes: A key component in an aviary system, offering hens a private, dark, comfortable environment with curtains and soft pads, enabling the reduction of the number of dirty and damaged eggs and eggs on the floor.

Automatic egg belts: The eggs will fall to the egg belts and be collected by the central egg collection system.

Egg protection design: Eggs fell off gently, avoiding breaking.

Feeding System

Chain feeding system: High-quality chain feeding enables large-scale uniform conveying. A suitable amount of feed is supplied, improving feed conversion and reducing waste.

Feeding lines: The feeding lines are set at a suitable height for the convenience of all chickens in the house.

Automatic feed distribution: The distribution of feed is automatically controlled to guarantee even and uniform feed.

Drinking System

Nipple drinkers: It's hygienic and can reduce waste compared with open drinkers since only when chicken pecking, the water is supplied.

Water pressure control: It ensures that all nipple drinkers deliver a consistent amount of water, allowing birds at different positions to drink easily.

Manure Management System

Manure belts: The bottom tier and the top tier are equipped with a manure-collecting belt under the wire platform. The manures are cleaned by automatic machines outside the chicken house. They help reduce ammonia and improve hygiene, which is good for the chickens' health.

Egg Collection System

Nest egg belts: An egg belt system is under the nest, designed to hold eggs and convey them to the egg collecting areas.

Central egg conveyor: The egg belts, conveying system, and elevators make a central egg conveyor system.

Environmental Control System

Ventilation fans: Forced airflow removes hot air, moisture, and harmful gases from the chicken house, maintaining fresh air and stabilizing the temperature.

Cooling pads: utilize the principle of water evaporation to lower the temperature of air entering the chicken house in hot weather, helping to maintain a suitable breeding environment.

Air inlets: Air inlets control the even entry of outside air into the chicken house and guide the airflow direction, ensuring a proper distribution of fresh air within the house.

Lighting system: The lighting system provides a stable and adjustable lighting environment, helping to regulate the activity rhythm and egg production performance of laying hens.