Open-sided (conventional) poultry shed

The open-sided or curtain-sided poultry shed is the lowest-capital-cost commercial poultry housing in India: a galvanised-iron or asbestos roof on reinforced-concrete pillars, low side walls of about 30-60 cm, and rolled side curtains of polythene or canvas above. Natural cross-ventilation rather than mechanical fans moves air through the bird zone. It is the dominant housing type for the broiler grow-out and country-chicken segments outside the EC-housed integrator core.

Principle

The shed depends on wind crossing through the bird zone to remove metabolic heat and ammonia from the litter. Side curtains are lowered or raised through the day to balance ventilation against direct sun and rain. Roof height and orientation are deliberately set to maximise cross-flow and to push hot air upward and out through ridge openings.

Implementation

ICAR-CARI and TANUVAS extension guidelines specify a minimum ridge height of 14-15 ft (4.3-4.6 m) and an east-west long axis to keep the long walls in shade for most of the day. Recommended floor space is approximately 1.0 sq ft per broiler (Broiler Chicken) and 1.5-2.0 sq ft per layer in deep-litter systems (Commercial Layer Farming, Deep Litter System). Ridge openings, gable louvres and adequate eave overhang are tuned to the local climate; further ventilation guidance on roof height and ridge openings is covered separately under Shed Height Ventilation. Open sheds are paired with structured brooding (Brooding Chicks) and inter-batch sanitation (Biosecurity Cleaning Between Batches).

Adoption context

Open-sided sheds are the dominant housing type for contract-broiler farms (Contract Broiler Farming) in inland and moderate-climate tracts of India, where the capital savings against an environmentally controlled house (Ec Poultry Shed) outweigh the heat-stress penalty. They are also universal in country-chicken and Kadaknath farms, in standalone layer units below about 20,000 birds, and in semi-intensive duck shelters.

Limitations

The shed is at the mercy of outdoor weather. Summer afternoon heat stress raises broiler mortality (Poultry Mortality Management) and stretches market batches by several days. Winter cold draughts disrupt brooding. Curtain failures during storms can cause flock loss within hours. Curtain management is also labour-intensive: an attendant must adjust curtains several times a day to track sun and wind. At higher stocking densities, ammonia and humidity accumulate in the litter and force chronic respiratory disease.

References

Environmental Management in the Broiler House. Aviagen.