These 2 trends define the future of aviary systems

It’s simple: product managers of aviary system builders want farmers to be able to provide the ideal conditions for their hens. It’s also fair to say that a lot is happening within the aviary market. This blog describes the two key trends that — we believe — define the future of aviary systems. Tapping into these trends benefits your business and operations. 

1. Putting hen welfare first

Across the laying hen market, there is a seismic shift taking place in the way that poultry is housed and treated. That’s why it is increasingly important for product managers to be up-to-date with (changing) animal welfare regulations. This knowledge is vital to develop aviary systems that meet the standards and are compliant. And more importantly, help farm managers to stay competitive. 

When it comes to hen welfare, there are two developments affecting the markt: the growing switch from cage systems to aviary systems and reducing the use of antibiotics. 

Both trends have a major impact on creating optimal conditions for birds and building systems that foster healthy behavior. If you want to learn more, this article dives deeper into how putting hen welfare first leads to the need to rethink poultry housing and aviary systems. 

2. Increased use of smart products within aviary systems

There are not only trends affecting the market as a result of a renewed focus on bird welfare. There’s also a key trend that has evolved as a byproduct of the increased adoption of aviary systems: the increasing demand and use of smart products in aviary systems.

Again, there are a few derived trends highlighted in smart product innovation that boost overall efficiency of operations:

• Increasing use of smart technology in aviary farms
• Rising adoption of high-quality lighting

Increasing use of smart technology

Farmers face great pressure to get the best results with increasingly tight margins. To stimulate cost efficiency and still improve bird wellbeing and performance, smart technology is being increasingly demanded and used within aviary houses.

Smart technology includes products that allow farm managers to remotely control, track and monitor the situation in their farms. Process automation is gaining importance here as well. Automatic egg counting, bird and climate temperature monitoring and automation around processes like feeding, water intake and lighting are all in high demand.  

Understanding how smart technology can meet farm manager needs is the first step towards recommending cutting-edge products that can tackle specific challenges for aviary product managers. 

High quality lighting within aviary systems

More and more product managers are becoming aware of how important high-quality lighting is to the holistic aviary system. Ultimately, an aviary system can’t be optimal unless its lighting is.

Good lighting is adapted to suit the needs of the hens and the houses they are in. Among other factors, it has a light spectrum adapted to the hens, it is flicker-free and provides optimal light distribution. This way, it improves hen wellbeing and behaviour, therefore, tackling several well-known challenges: it reduces bird stress, pecking, floor eggs and even improves egg production. Although lighting is not a cure-all for these problems, well-managed lighting does improve overall aviary conditions and — as a result — bird wellbeing and performance, as well as cost efficiency. 

This blog gives you insights into the main trends affecting the industry at the moment. Our experts have written an extensive report that dives further into these trends. It's available here. Get your copy and learn how you can utilise these market trends to help farm managers get the best from their flock.