Growing broilers chickens in cages
From experience, we grew 300 broilers with a deep litter system (floor) but they suffered from coccidiosis and we lost more than 60 in one day. Then lost another 90 or so during the other attacks of coccidiosis. We used the sawdust on the floor and started changing weekly before the deaths stopped and weekly is very tedious. I believe that the disease is spread mainly through their poo, feed and water cos they all peck from one source. We did layers in a cage and mortality rate was high. We lost only one bird that wandered out of the cage and probably ate rat poison. We have decided to raise broilers in cages this time. However, we will watch out for leg and wing problems and allow any broiler suspected to be developing leg problems to free range on the floor in a separate room. The drinking system and feeding system in a cage are awesome and do not encourage the spread of disease.
