(a) State: (i) four advantages and (ii) four disadvantages of the deep litter system in poultry management.
(b) Mention one disadvantage of using saw-dust as litter in a deep-litter house.
(c) The recommended floor space for fowls In a deep litter house is three (3) adult fowls per square metre. Calculate the number of adult fowls that can be kept in a deep-litter house of size 10 metre by 50 metre. (d) State three other methods of keeping poultry.
Explanation
(a)(i) Advantages of deep litter system in poultry management include: It increases efficiency in poultry management, facilitates the management of very large flock, maximises use of land, increases rate of growth / production, maximises use of labour, reduces loss of eggs to vermins, snakes and thieves, protects birds from harsh weather conditions, facilitates the ease of identification of sick birds.
(ii) Disadvantages: Cost of constructing of deep-litter house is high and requires a large quantity of litter which adds to the cost of production. Cannibalism and pecking of eggs are common. High rate of disease or parasite spread is rampant. The litter makes eggs dirty. It is also difficult to determine the unproductive birds, or it is difficult to catch birds
(b) Disadvantages of using saw-dust as litter in deep-litter house are: (i) Because of its fineness, it is not durable as litter. (ii) The birds inhale the dust which creates chest congestion, leading to respiratory problems. (iii) It cakes up easily. (iv) It harbours more bacteria than other systems. (v) It also contains more foreign bodies like nails, etc than other systems.
(c) Recommended floor space = 3 adult fowls/m² size of deep-litter house = 10m x 50m. Area of floor space = 10m x 50m = 500m² Number of chickens to be accommodated = 3 chickens/1m² x 500m2/1m² = 1,500 chickens.
(d) Other methods or types of systems of poultry management are: (i) Extensive / free range. (ii) Semi-intensive / fold system (iii) Battery cage.