Poultry management systems—Looking to the future

SummaryContinuing gradual change is anticipated in poultry management systems in the years ahead with an increasing influence of factors relating to stock welfare, whether in turn due to the direct application of the results of research or to the effects of legislation and public opinion.For commercial laying birds, production systems have become progressively more intensive, for example as the result of the increasing number of cage tiers. Due to economic pressures this trend may continue, or it may be reversed as the result of the influence of animal welfare groups and consumers, in some countries supported by legislation. Such a reversal would follow two courses—the provision of more space and an enriched environment within cages and the greater use and further development of non-cage systems. In both cases production costs will be higher, but if consumers are prepared to pay a higher price, both approaches are workable.Systems for breeding stock and replacement layers can be expected to develop towards greater intensity and efficiency, but could be influenced by the trends for commercial laying birds.Broilers are traditionally kept on litter on the floor. Housing systems wil become more flexible and equipment wil be suspended and winched for ease of clearing birds and cleaning out houses mechanically. Cage/crate systems would be more efficient and are now technically feasible. They are in use in some Eastern European Countries, but their future development in other parts of the world depends on the strength of welfare lobbies against them.