Professional athletes often give the same advice when asked how they built their successful careers. They usually credit their efforts to learn and perfect the basics, their willingness to put in long hours to train and practice, and the power of consistency while chasing their dream.

Like the process necessary to develop professional athletes, basic bird management is the cornerstone of success in cage-free pullet systems for livestock producers. This fundamental practice is crucial for maintaining healthy and productive flocks, especially in the absence of cages, allowing the flock to freely mingle on the floor, thereby increasing the risk of spreading disease.

Disease
Cage-free systems are experiencing more problems with worms than systems utilizing cages. Infestations of coccidiosis, roundworms, tapeworms, and fecal worms are on the rise. To get ahead of coccidiosis, boost immunity through a vaccine program started in the hatchery, with additional doses at 7, 14, and 21 days. In addition, proper temperature and humidity levels in the building lessen the incidence of cocci.

Health concerns in cage-free operations extend beyond parasites. Nutritional deficiencies can cause issues like E. coli outbreaks and susceptibility to infectious diseases like mycoplasma and egg-drop syndrome. To address these, it’s essential to work with a veterinarian and a vaccine supplier to develop a comprehensive program tailored to each building’s unique needs.

Diets
Birds in cage-free environments have fewer movement restrictions. To realize optimal bird performance, reformulate diets to reflect the extra energy needed for egg production and increased flock movement, and work to stay ahead of nutritional needs.

Environment
Cage-free systems have increased air flow and temperature concerns, as birds will move to areas with higher temperatures to stay warm. Other environmental factors can result in behavioral issues including piling and pecking. Consider changes to lighting, temperature, feeding times and other environmental elements to help address those problems.

In conclusion, poultry producers should monitor everything about their feed, light, air, and water systems to keep their flocks behaving normally. There are rewards to reap from the consistency of daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly efforts.