What is a layer cage system
A layer cage system is a specific type of chicken cage system designed primarily for housing egg-laying hens (layers). These systems are widely used in commercial egg production. Here are some key features and aspects of layer cage systems:
1. **Structure and Design**:
- **Cages**: Typically made of metal wire, these cages are arranged in rows and tiers, creating a multi-level structure to maximize the use of space.
- **Size**: Each cage is designed to house a small group of hens, with each bird having limited space to move.
- **Sloped Floors**: The floors are sloped so that eggs roll out to a collection area, making egg collection easier and reducing the risk of eggs being damaged.
2. **Management Efficiency**:
- **Automated Systems**: Many layer cage systems are equipped with automated feeding, watering, and egg collection systems. This reduces labor costs and improves efficiency.
- **Waste Management**: Manure belts or scrapers are often used to remove waste from beneath the cages, helping to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of disease.
3. **Health and Monitoring**:
- **Individual Monitoring**: The cage system allows for easier monitoring of individual hens for health issues, enabling quick identification and treatment of sick birds.
- **Reduced Disease Spread**: By minimizing contact with feces and other birds, the risk of certain diseases is reduced.
4. **Animal Welfare Concerns**:
- **Space Restriction**: Hens in layer cages have limited space to move, which can lead to physical and psychological stress. They are unable to perform many natural behaviors such as dust bathing, nesting, and perching.
- **Bone Health**: The lack of movement can result in weaker bones and higher susceptibility to fractures.
5. **Regulations and Alternatives**:
- **Regulatory Changes**: Many countries are implementing or considering regulations to improve the welfare of laying hens. Some regions have banned or are phasing out traditional battery cages.
- **Enriched Cages**: These provide more space, perches, nesting areas, and other enrichments to allow hens to express natural behaviors.
- **Cage-Free Systems**: Alternatives such as free-range or barn systems allow hens more freedom to move and engage in natural behaviors, though they come with their own set of management challenges.
Layer cage systems are a common method for egg production due to their efficiency and ease of management, but they are also the focus of significant welfare concerns and regulatory scrutiny.
Layer Cage
Systems
Technical Specifications of Cage Carcass
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Tezcan and / or Assan trademark 275 gr / m2 zinc coated galvanized hair is used in the cage.
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The pillars in the cage's frame are made of 2 mm galvanized iron.
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The upper compartments of the cage are made of 1 mm galvanized hair.
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The lower compartments of the cage are made of 1 mm galvanized hair.
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The eye compartments of the cage are made of 2 mm galvanized steel.
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The columns that make up the cage's band bed are made of unhulled hair.
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The cage's belt carrier worms are manufactured from 16 mm galvanized pipes.
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Cage feeder hangers are manufactured from 2 mm galvanized steel.
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Cage feeders are manufactured from 0.8 mm galvanized iron.
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The cage's front pole and back canals are made of 3 mm galvanized iron.
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The front and back of the cage are made of 2 mm galvanized iron.
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Intermediate divisions of the cage's eyes are made of dipped galvanized fabric.
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The lids of the cage's eyes are made of dipped galvanized cloth.
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The bottoms of the cage eyes are made of immersion galvanized fabric with a thickness of 19 mm x 19 mm and a thickness of 2 mm.
Feeding System
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Fodder feeding system is fully automatic; all galvanized sheet steel.
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Adjustable knob cover is available for feeding while the chick is in the 2nd floor feeder of the cage.
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Thanks to specially designed feeders it is possible to reach even a day old chick easily.
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Feed trucks operate on rails on cages via 0.75 HP electric motors and imported steel ropes (PVC coated).
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Feeders are specially designed to distribute the feed in equal amounts to each square in the cage systems and to prevent the feed from overflowing the feeder.
Water Drinking System
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There is a water line made of 1 line pvc pipe in each eye.
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Each cage has 2 flex and 2 CLR brand nipples.
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There is 1 CLR reservoir in each irrigation line.
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The water coming from the network is sent to the water pipes with the reservoirs at the appropriate pressure.
Manure Discharge System
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The manure is transported with polypropylene plastic fertilizer band which transports the fertilizer which is located under each layer and extends along the cage to the discharge band.
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The manure tape used is 1 mm thick.
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The movement is carried out with 1.5 hp rector motors for every 3 layers.
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The manure discharge band at the end of the poultry house is delivered perfectly with the strippers present in each floor.
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At the back of the cage will be placed a retention system to prevent contamination by glacial splashes.
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The carrier rolls used in the hoods are specially rubber covered and the shift of the band is minimized.
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Manure transport conveyors; 6 mm thick rubber band with cord cloth working with moving rolls on the profile construction and front rear rollers and 1.5 HP gear motors are available.
Automatic Egg Collection System
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Each cave has a lift system that moves up and down.
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Automatic egg collection unit is manufactured from galvanized sheet and material.
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The movement is carried out with 1.5 hp rector motors for every 3 layers.
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Egg conveyor is produced with galvanized sheet metal body.
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The conveyor motor is 0.75 HP, the cloth motor is 0.75 HP, the elevator motor is 0.75 HP.
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Eggs are transported with cloth egg bands and the fasteners are made of plastic.
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Cloth tapes are antistatic and do not hold dust.
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The egg cloth strips which move along the cages and turn, are moved with egg collection heads.
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At the end of each row there is a special brush placed to keep egg bands clean.
Catwalk System
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This system is constructed by making a 2-way walk between the cages.
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The catwalk system allows easy access to the upper floors of the houses.
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This system allows 8-layer cages to be used as a 4-layer cage.
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The entire system is built on steel construction.
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The second floor connection with the ground is provided by a fixed steel ladder.
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In this system, the feed trucks of the upper and lower floors are operated separately. It can be installed in a chain feeding model for feeding.
