User:Archer7/broilerfarming

Broiler farming is a widely used method of factory farming for poultry, in particular chickens. Broiler farming is only used for meat, other methods such as battery farming are used for egg production.

Broiler chickens are usually in kept in large sheds in a highly controlled environment to encourage maximum growth. These sheds can contain anything from 20,000 to 100,000 birds, although most flocks are below 50,000. The floor is covered with a layer of litter, which can be wood shavings, straw etc.

Factors such as temperature and light are usually controlled by computer. Light is usually bright at first so that young chicks get to know the location of food and water, and to encourage them to eat large amounts for rapid growth. After this initial period, the light is normally dimmed down to discourage fighting between the chickens.

The diet of broiler birds is usually a high protein feed, sometimes mixed in with supplements such as hormones and antibiotics for maximum weight gain and to try and control the spread of any disease that may endanger the flock. Food and water is normally always available, although on some farms food may be controlled