Traditional battery cage systems improve hygiene and increase farming efficiency to some extent by separating chickens from their droppings. However, with increasing consumer concern for animal welfare, more and more farms are paying closer attention to the behavioral needs and living environment of their chickens.
So, many layer chicken farms have begun to change their farming methods, transitioning from traditional cage systems to cage-free poultry farming. Such as the Free Range System, Aviary System, and Cage-Free System, which prioritize the well-being of the animals by offering them more freedom and natural living conditions.
Currently, this trend is gradually expanding from Europe and America to other parts of the world, including Latin America and South Africa, where these poultry housing systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their alignment with animal welfare standards.
Our Poultry Housing Solutions for Your Needs
Types of Poultry Housing Systems
In addition to the traditional battery cage system, common layer farming systems also include free-range systems and cage-free systems. Cage-free systems can be further divided into aviary systems and floor-rearing systems.
The aviary system achieves stable and efficient egg production while ensuring animal welfare. Compared to traditional farming methods, this system provides chickens with a more comfortable living environment, making them less easily startled and reducing the impact of dust on their health.
The system can also be equipped with automated auxiliary equipment, such as automatic feeding, drinking, and egg collection systems. Thereby, reducing labor input improves management efficiency. Furthermore, chicken manure falls naturally into the manure collection channel below through the slatted floor. Keeping chickens separate from feces helps to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Additionally, in the aviary system, each unit has an activity space above it. It can provide chickens with more room to move around freely and engage in natural behaviors. This system allows chickens to roam and interact with their environment, promoting better welfare compared to traditional caged systems.
Cage-free systems allow laying hens to roam freely within the chicken house, without being confined to cages. This provides the chickens with more space to move around, allowing them to walk, roost, lay eggs, and exhibit natural behaviors such as wing spreading. This better meets the behavioral needs of laying hens and improves animal welfare.
ABC Machine’s cage-free system typically equips customers with automatic feeding systems, nipple watering systems, nesting boxes, and perches. Customers can also install automatic egg collection and manure removal equipment to improve management efficiency and reduce labor costs.
In modern layer farming, cage-free systems employ multi-layered structural designs, such as the cage-free system (European style) and the aviary cage-free system (American style). This design makes better use of chicken house space, providing more activity area for the chickens while maintaining high productivity.
Free-range systems allow chickens to roam freely both indoors and outdoors. Hens have access to areas outside, such as fresh air and ample space. This facilitates natural behaviors like foraging, sand bathing, roosting, and strolling, improving animal welfare and promoting healthy, active growth.
Our free-range systems are equipped with feeders and waterers, egg-laying areas, and perches. Additionally, you can install egg collection and manure management systems to reduce labor costs.
By providing outdoor space and a larger activity area, free-range systems encourage natural behaviors in chickens, better aligning with their instincts.
Our Poultry Housing Systems Can Benefit Your Farm
Smart Farming Equipment
We equip our clients with automated feeding, watering, and environmental control systems. This helps them reduce labor costs, ensure flock health, and improve organic egg production efficiency.
Welfare Layer Farming
We always prioritize chicken welfare. Our spacious layouts, perches, and nesting areas allow laying hens to move freely and live comfortably. Improving egg quality while meeting international animal welfare standards.
Durable Lightweight Structures
In terms of materials, we use sturdy yet lightweight steel structures. It’s quick and flexible to install. These are adaptable to various farm layouts, ensuring the safety of both laying hens and staff.
We are also very grateful for your partnership with ABC Machinery. We focus on animal welfare farming solutions.
People Choose Us for Quality, Reliability, and Service
Why Choose Us
- With 20 years of experience, our professional engineers provide comprehensive service.
- Our equipment is robust and durable, with a corrosion-resistant design and a service life of up to 15 years.
- We offer flexible layout adjustments to maximize land use efficiency for farms of different sizes.
- We prioritize energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution while complying with local regulations.
- We provide comprehensive livestock and organic fertilizer solutions, including cage-based, cageless, and fermentation tank equipment.
ABC Machinery Success Stories
In 2024, ABC Machinery successfully established a comprehensive welfare poultry farming project in the United States.
During the initial phase, the client procured an aviary system for ten chicken houses. Post – installation, as the client expressed satisfaction, an additional order for systems for fourteen more houses was placed in the second phase. The overall plan is to complete a total of sixty welfare cage chicken houses. Moreover, during the second phase, the client sourced organic fertilizer equipment, egg grading equipment, and other items from us.
At present, the project remains ongoing.
- Cage-free aviary/welfare system for layers (Phase 1, 10 buildings)
- Egg processing plant (egg grading and egg packing, 30,000 eggs/h) (Phase 2)
- Organic fertilizer plant (including the following) (Phase 2)
- Fermentation tanks — 20 CBM per day
- 2TPH organic fertilizer pellet plant including dryer, pellet mill, pellet cooler, pellet packing, etc.(Egg grading installation just started on October 15th，2025; organic fertilizer installation has not yet begun.)
- Cage-free aviary/welfare system for layers (Phase 2, 14 buildings; the customer was satisfied with the first 10 buildings and purchased 14 more, as they are now capable of installing these 14 themselves.
