“Housing and Equipment for Herds and Flocks”

“Livestock, Hogs and Goats”

Proper housing is one of the requisites of a successful animal raising venture. Farm animals require
protection from cold and hot weather. Ample shelter saves feed, provides comfort, and promotes a
healthy condition which allows normal growth and development. Adequate shelter should be
economical and must protect the animals from cold, heat, dampness, wind, draft and filth.

The types of houses and equipment are as varied as there are different kind of animals. Following are
the most common types of house and equipment for a particular breed of animal.

Providing Housing for Poultry

The backyard or home poultry house should be located on a well-drained slope. The site should
have several trees to protect the house from strong winds to give partial shade during the rainy and dry
season of the year. The site should also provide abundant sunlight to the poultry house because an
element in the sun’s rays is essential for the health and development of flocks. A very important factor
to remember is that the site should have a source of water supply nearby. It should also be near the
market.

The size of the poultry house depends on the size of the flock, types of breed, and purpose, whether the
chicken will be confined to the house or allowed to run freely in the yard.

Following are the suggested floor space requirements for the different ages of poultry and the
type of business involved (egg, meat, eggs and meat):
Poultry

1. Layers

a. Deep litter floor layer house

.6 to .56 sq. metre per bird layer
b. Build up litter slat floor pens
.46 sq. metre per bird layer

c. Individual cage 10 sq. metre per bird layer

Providing and Using Equipment and Accessories for Poultry

Successful poultry production depends partly upon the accessories and equipment that a
poultry raiser will provide the flock.

1. Perches- these are the shelter poles about 3 to 5 cm in diameter, and generally made from
bamboo poles.

2. Dropping board- this is usually placed in the cage to keep the floor clean by catching the chicken
manure. It helps keep down possible infections, aids in keeping the litter clean, and reduces the
labor involved in cleaning the house.

3. Nests- all types of breeds of poultry have nesting habit. They find some secluded spot, usually
dark, to lay their eggs. Nests should be built under front edge of the dropping board.
4. Waterers or drinking troughs- One of the essential requisites in the economic management of
all types or breeds of poultry is a constant supply of fresh, clean, cool water.
5. Feeding troughs or feed hoppers- there are many types of commercial feeding troughs or
feed hoppers for sale in local poultry and agricultural stores.

Livestock
The improvement of animals through breeding for rapid growth and production of high
quality products makes it necessary to provide comfortable and sanitary buildings and
equipment for the herds of hogs, goats, and cattle.

Hogs
Providing housing and equipment for hogs is essential in successful hog raising. Hogs
require more protection from cold and warm weather than other animals because of scant hair
coat.

Consider the following when constructing ant kind of housing for hogs:
Location. Careful attention should be given to the location of the home or backyard hog house.
The hog house should be located a few metres away from the house.
Drainage and water supply. Construct the hog house near the water supply to facilitate cleaning
of the pigs, pig pen, and alleys of the pen.
Sunlight. This affects the growth and well-being of the animals.

For semi-or large scale hog production with 50 or 100 sows, the life cycle Housing System is
recommended. This, type uses five units, one for each stage in life cycle of the hog, namely:
1. Gestating unit. this is where the pregnant sows are kept from the time of breeding until
farrowing. Boars are also kept in this unit.
2. Farrowing unit. This is reserved for actual farrowing. Sows that are about to farrow are kept
here.

3. Pig nursery. This is where the piglets are kept until they are about eight to ten weeks old.
4. Growing unit. Weanlings are raised in this place after leaving the nursery and having attained
a weight of 45kg.
5. Finishing unit. This is where the pigs coming from the growing until are kept. They fattened
until they are ready for the market.