Facilities and Technology

Penn State Extension offers in-depth information and practical tips about poultry house equipment. Producers can find the most up-to-date information about poultry hatcheries, chicken nesting boxes, chicken waterers, and many other pieces of chicken farm equipment.

Choosing the right kind of equipment is essential for biosecurity and ensures that the birds enjoy proper lighting and ventilation and are raised in optimal conditions. Growers can also find information on the proper handling of eggs, ammonia monitoring in poultry facilities, and small-scale poultry housing.

Chicken Coops, Nests, Pens, and Tractors

Building a chicken house is one of the first concerns of many novice hobby farmers and small-scale growers. A facility is considered suitable if it can provide adequate protection from predators and the elements.

Factors such as adequate space, ventilation, easy access to feed, and water should all be considered carefully. Nests and perches are also important features of a good poultry house. With the right kind of planning it is possible to convert already existing structures into functioning chicken sheds.

Chicken waterers also come in a variety of sizes, depending on the use. Some growers prefer automatic chicken water systems which provide a constant flow of fresh water.

Chicken House Ventilation and Ammonia Monitoring

The monitoring and management of ammonia in poultry facilities is essential for the health and well-being of the birds housed in them. Ammonia is a gas that evaporates from fresh manure and can easily build up in closed spaces. Poultry house ventilation systems help keep ammonia levels below 25 ppm, as recommended in poultry health guidelines. Monitoring is also an important component of ensuring adequate air quality inside poultry houses. Pull tubes and colorimetric tubes are inexpensive and easy-to-use pieces of equipment to monitor ammonia levels.

Besides helping control ammonia levels, poultry house ventilation systems control many other environmental aspects within a facility. Inlets represent the most crucial part of mechanical ventilation systems as they help to provide fresh air, control the direction of airflow, and maintain sufficient air velocity.

In terms of air quality, housing poultry safely and comfortably is determined by a number of factors such as air temperature, humidity, velocity, gas levels, and others. Growers and facility managers can find here detailed information on how to measure air quality and the various kinds of equipment needed.

Egg Incubators and Chicken Hatchery

Large-scale facilities rely on egg incubators to produce chicks. The success of artificial incubation depends on four main factors: temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning. More information on how to operate an artificial incubator is available here.

Poultry hatchery managers and team members can find more information on incubation biology, biosecurity, animal welfare, and many other relevant topics by attending the two-day Northeast Hatchery Conference.

Important information on how to ensure excellent egg quality by providing optimum conditions in the chicken houses and handling eggs appropriately is available here.