Advantages of the Tiered Layer Cage System and Key Points for Rearing and Management

In recent years, advances in livestock‑equipment R&D have significantly boosted the level of automation. Coupled with sharply rising labor costs and the growing need to reduce workers’ physical strain, as well as the influx of a large pool of young, skilled professionals, poultry farms have become far more eager to invest in automated systems. As the poultry industry has evolved, egg‑production equipment has undergone substantial changes; tiered battery cages have gained widespread acceptance among egg‑producing operations, and their prospects look promising.

Advantages of the tiered layer‑cage system: This equipment is the preferred choice for large‑scale, automated, intensive, and standardized egg‑production operations both domestically and internationally. It offers the following benefits: high space utilization and a small footprint, facilitating intensive, large‑scale rearing; fully automated control, significantly reducing the need for manual labor, boosting productivity, and lowering physical strain; multi‑stage manure removal followed by natural air‑drying, which markedly lowers moisture content, enhances manure utilization, and minimizes environmental impact; and a closed‑system housing approach that helps prevent infectious diseases and improves bird performance.

The key points for managing a flock under the tiered layer cage system are as follows: 1. Timing of caging the flock: Since multi‑tier cage systems are inconvenient, the time when hens are moved into cages can be appropriately extended, and each bird should be securely confined during laying. At this stage, all vaccines that require immunization—such as those for avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, and egg‑drop syndrome—should be deferred. 2. Feed substitution: When the flock’s egg production reaches 5%, the pre‑peak feed should be replaced with peak‑production feed. A one‑week transition period is necessary. The feed must be of high quality, with stable nutritional composition; neither the finished feed nor the raw materials should be changed arbitrarily. 3. Monitor the birds’ behavior and droppings: After lights are turned on in the morning, check whether the fecal color is normal. If there is a large amount of yellow‑green or yellow‑white droppings, consider whether the birds have experienced significant stress or are showing early signs of Newcastle disease, and promptly test for Newcastle disease antibodies. Also, inspect the poultry house for any unusual odors—such as foul, pungent, or irritating smells—as these may indicate poor ventilation or digestive tract disorders. Finally, assess whether the manure is dry; if it is, investigate possible malfunctions in the water‑supply system or determine whether newly introduced birds are not receiving sufficient water. Is it? Sick chickens and lethargic dead chickens are immediately subjected to necropsy and pathological examination by a veterinarian. By comprehensively analyzing all the above‑mentioned data, timely and effective measures are implemented to diagnose and control the outbreak.

Safety precautions for tiered layer cages: During operation, it is strictly prohibited to observe the equipment’s running status or open any maintenance doors for repairs. When conducting inspections, repairs, or routine maintenance, personnel must ensure that the main power switch is turned off and locked; failure to do so may result in serious injury. Both the head and tail of the machine are equipped with two limit switches; if the bucket’s track wheel contacts either switch, the machine will immediately stop. Regularly check the sensitivity of the limit switches and replace any that are malfunctioning without delay; otherwise, the bucket could be damaged, potentially leading to even more severe consequences.