A poultry farmer in North-Western Tasmania has approached you as consultant Animal Scientist

to provide her with two options for setting. Describe two systems for consideration. Highlight
the advantages and disadvantages for each system and identify key reasons for their use in
commercial poultry production

The two farming system that I would recommended as consultant Animal Scientist for setting a
poultry farm are free and intensive farming system (deep litter system).

1. Free range system

Free-range or extensive system can only be adopted where adequate land is available. Birds are
set free on ground or field where they can find fair amount of food in the form of leafage, seeds
and insects. A range setup should provide shelter, greens, feed, water, shade etc. This type of
raring system is adopted by farmers where there is no shortage of land. The stocking density on
range area should be around 10,000 birds per hectare.

Advantages:

 Lower feed cost due to saving of feed.

 Healthier poultry with relatively better bone development.
 Natural pest control against flies, ticks, fleas, grasshoppers, beetles etc.
 Less labor cost for management.

Disadvantages

 As there is no control over birds, systematic management practices over birds cannot
be adopted
 Chances of losses due to predatory animals and risk of disease spread form wild birds is
common unless proper biosecurity measures is adopted.
 Searching and collection of eggs every day from the field is tedious and there will be the
chances of eggs being lost inside the dense grasses.
2. Deep Litter System

Deep litter system falls under the intensive system of poultry which means that birds are
totally confined to houses. Floor is covered with litters, such as straw, saw dust or leaves up
to depth of about 4-10 inches. Feeder and drinker are made available inside the house.

Advantages:

 Birds and eggs are safe from any predators and other unfavorable weather
condition in deep litter intensive pen
 Litters provides some of the food requirements of the birds. Provides vitamin B2 and
B12 as “Animal Protein Factor.”
 Saving of labor cost
 Litters can be used as a good source of fertilizers as it contains 3% nitrogen (nearly
20% protein), 2% phosphorus and 2% potassium which is about 3 times that of
cattle manure.
 Protects birds from unfavorable weather condition as the litter maintains its own
constant temperature due to which the birds burrow into it when the air
temperature is high or cool.

Disadvantages:

 Birds’ welfare is affected since they are only confined to houses and are not exposed
to outside free run and sunlight.
 High chances of occurrence of litter born disease like coccidiosis
 There may be more feed wastage during spilling
 Respiratory problems may emerge due to dust and ammonia gas from the
unmanaged litter.
 Chances for spreading of diseases are more due to direct contact between bird and
litter.