Broilers on concrete

[3beagle78]

Has anyone tried raising broilers on concrete? I have an old dog yard that is on a slab and thinking about putting some broilers on there. Does anyone know of health concerns about raising them on concrete. If it's bad for them I don't want to do it.
Thanks for any info

 

[greyfields]

Simply from an ethical perspective, it's not something that interests me. I think most of us are raising broilers to ensure they have been treated to a 'real life', where allowed to display natural chicken behavior such as scratching, dust baths and sun-bathing. So, it's not for me and I do not raise my pigs on concrete either.

The one advantage of using concrete which I see is that you can use your tractor/front loader to collect and spread the manure more easily.

On the other hand, if you just use a chicken tractor, you can put the broilers wehre you want them to place the manure saving you a step. I try and get my broilers over the areas I will plant potatoes and corn the following years.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

The other problem with raising meat birds on concrete is that it creates breast blisters from the hard pavement. Meat birds spend more time laying down than they do standing. IMO the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages of concrete.

 

[Judymae]

I would worry also about their legs as they get heavier. I know if I was that fat I would want something soft to walk on!!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I wouldn't keep them on bare concrete. I would think after the poo builds up, it would be slick! Then you would have to deal with spraddle leg and whatnot. To avoid this you could always spray out the concrete every few days like you would with dogs.

-Kim

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Concrete with deep beddng or litter is good. Concrete without bedding is BAD.

Jim

 

[Davaroo]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

Concrete with deep beddng or litter is good. Concrete without bedding is BAD.

Jim

Jim sums it up pretty well here. It is sometimes used in broiler houses in the commercial business with litter. It is the supreme predator deterrent with a block or raised lip wall.
But just as a place to stick some birds? Well it might be easier to clean up after they are butchered, but aside from that I agree with the others in the main.
Id urge you to use litter on the cement or not at all.​