The company usually provides the chicks, feed, medications, bird loading and hauling, and some grow-out supervision. Chicken Production Growing houses are often simple gable roof buildings 40 to 50 ft. wide and 400 to 500 ft. long. Modern houses have curtains to control air entering the sides of the building. Exhaust fans may be located in one end of the building or within the building to blow air over the birds during hot weather. The curtains are raised and lowered to provide an appropriate size air inlet for natural or mechanical ventilation.
Buildings have two to four overhead fogger lines to cool chickens in hot weather.
In California the roof is usually insulated with at least an inch of rigid foam insulation. Space allowances range from .7 to 1.0 square feet per bird depending on season, house type and age marketed. Water is supplied by bird activated nipples attached to water pipes running the length of the building. Feeders and water nipples are raised and lowered with a mechanical winch system to provide appropriate eating and drinking height for birds. Chicks are provided feed in trays or small feeders and water in small drinkers during early life and are then trained to use the mechanical systems.