New broiler house: Options for housing types 2 and 3

Whether it is a new build or the conversion of an existing poultry house to include an outdoor climate area, Johannes Schulte-Eißing’s farm demonstrates how the requirements of housing categories 2 and 3 can be implemented in practice. The Fokus Tierwohl network visited Johannes Schulte-Eißing’s broiler farm in the northern Emsland region. The newly built house can accommodate up to 30,000 birds under housing type 2 or 25,000 birds under housing type 3 as part of Wiesenhof’s ‘Privathof’ programme. The house’s floor area is supplemented by an outdoor climate area. Depending on the label and country, the outdoor climate area is included in the total capacity (e.g. not for German labels, but for Dutch ones it is). The farm thus serves as a prime example of a flexible solution that combines animal welfare with operational requirements.

In the current, fourth, cycle, animals are still being reared under housing type 3, as before. Slow-growing breeds, such as Ross Ranger and Hubbard, are used; these are characterised by higher activity levels and greater mobility. Enrichment materials inside the barn include straw bales, perches and pecking stones, all of which are required under the current programme. Both the house and the outdoor exercise area are bedded with straw granules. The outdoor exercise area is equipped solely with straw bales for enrichment and is well received by the birds. 

Additives are added to the drinking water to ensure stable gut health. During each cycle, the water pipes are flushed with a chlorine-based cleaning agent that is harmless to the animals. Between batches, the water pipes are first flushed with a lye solution and then with an acid solution. These measures have a positive effect on rumen health by ensuring drier bedding.

In an interview, farmer Johannes Schulte-Eißing talks about his experiences so far with the new building and the husbandry concept, providing a practical insight into everyday life in the barn.