Information on Cages for Poultry

All types of poultry need a place to roost. Even free-range birds needs a place where they feel safe. Poultry cages can provide that safe roost. Sometimes called a comfort cage, poultry cages come in all sizes and shapes and can fit into any poultry shed. Some chicken cages and larger poultry cages are portable so you can easily take your birds for exhibition at fairs or sales.

  1. Function

    • A comfort cage allows the producer better control over the food that the birds eat. This is essential to the health of the flock as well as to egg production. The nest in the comfort cage helps to protect the eggs from breakage. The eggs also stay cleaner. Poultry cages also serve to protect the flock from predators and help keep the birds safe.

    Features

    • The roost inside the cage should be an appropriate size for the bird to sit on. Allow enough room for all the birds in the cage to roost at the same time. Chicken nests should be approximately 13 inches deep, 12 inches wide and 15 inches long. All wires should be smooth so the birds can't hurt themselves as they brush against them. The wire mesh on the floor must be small enough that the birds can't get their feet caught. Waterers and feeders attached to the outside of the cage makes it roomier for the birds inside the cage. Doors should open out and have a mechanism to latch it in the open position if the birds are able to roam. Unless the cage is set directly on the floor, the birds must have a ramp so they can get to the ground safely.

    Size

    • Chickens need at least two to three square feet per bird in their cage. Larger birds need more space. Whether the cage is homemade or purchased from a farm supply store, it's important that the cage be large enough for the birds.

    Benefits

    • One of the key benefits of a poultry cage is it allows the owner to easily clean up after the chickens or other birds. It's simply a matter of moving the cage and removing the excrement. There is less likelihood of soiled shoes every time eggs are gathered. Nests are easier to keep clean as well, which means the birds stay cleaner. A clean bird is more likely to be a healthy one. The bird's diet is easier to regulate as well.

    Warning

    • If the birds don't have enough space, egg production drops off. The birds that share the cage may begin picking at each other's feathers. They may even cannibalize each other, so making sure the chicken cage is large enough is essential.