Poultry farming is full of ideas that have been repeated for years, but not all of them hold up in modern production. As genetics, housing, and management practices evolve, it becomes increasingly important to challenge old assumptions and understand what truly drives flock health and performance.
Poultry are prey animals, and they instinctively hide early signs of stress or illness. By the time symptoms become visible, the issues have often been developing for quite some time.
Many believe barns should be closed in colder weather to keep birds warm, but poor air exchange quickly creates new problems.
Modern birds don't grow better simply because more feed is available.
Modern poultry production benefits from better data, better tools, and a deeper understanding of bird behavior. Letting go of outdated beliefs helps producers stay ahead of problems, protect flock health, and achieve more consistent performance.
One of the most concerning challenges faced by poultry producers is high mortality rates, which not only affect profits but also indicate underlying issues in management, disease control, and environmental conditions. However, with proper planning, management, and proactive measures, it’s possible to mitigate mortality rates and sustain a healthy poultry operation.
Create a comfortable and stress-free environment for your poultry by providing well-ventilated housing that protects them from extreme weather conditions. Proper ventilation helps remove excess moisture, CO2, and ammonia from the air, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases.
Exposure to excessive heat or cold stress can weaken the immune system, making birds more susceptible to diseases and increasing mortality rates. Thus, adequate ventilation is vital to ensure the right temperature in the poultry house.
Climate sensors provide your ventilation system with data on humidity, CO2, and ammonia levels ad well as the temperature in different reas of the house.
With rising costs, staff shortages, and growing demands for efficiency, producers are increasingly looking for ways to streamline operations without compromising animal welfare or productivity. The good news is that advances in management practices and technology are making it possible to reduce labour needs while maintaining—or even improving—flock performance.
Traditional poultry production requires a high level of manual work: feeding, monitoring climate conditions, checking water lines, collecting data, maintaining equipments, cleaning, and inspecting flock health. These repetitive and time-consuming tasks not only require manpower but also increase the risk of human error. By reducing the need for manual intervention, producers can save time, cut costs, and create a more consistent production flow.
Litter management is one of the most important, yet often underestimated, aspects of poultry production. The condition of the bedding in a poultry house directly affects air quality, animal welfare, and overall production efficiency. Poor litter management can lead to elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ammonia, both of which reduce flock performance and increase costs.
Wet or compacted litter creates an environment where harmful gases build up quickly. High levels of ammonia irritate the respiratory system, reduce growth rates, and negatively impact feed conversion ratios (FCR). Elevated CO₂ levels, often caused by poor ventilation combined with wet bedding, decrease oxygen availability, resulting in slower growth, higher mortality, and greater susceptibility to disease.
Beyond animal health, poor litter conditions also affect meat and egg quality, as prolonged exposure to wet bedding can cause breast blisters, footpad dermatitis, and other welfare issues that compromise product value.
Achieving perfect litter management requires continuous attention and a proactive approach. Some key practices include:
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