Husbandry systems

Aviary systems

The aviary system represents an optimised form of the deep litter system. In search of a possible symbiosis between the animals’ needs and the economy, multi-level systems with feeding and drinking units have been developed. These can be approached in flight by the hens. The topmost level should only serve the hens’ resting behaviour and feature perches. The levels are arranged either in a central block or pyramidal or as open cage blocks. The levels in the pyramid can be mucked out over a central arranged manure funnel. Manure belts for mucking-out are common in multi-level systems. The (German) law limits the amount of stacked levels to the number of four.