From a hygienic and animal health standpoint, these housing systems are superior to husbandry methods of the past. Efficient housing and handling systems allow a higher quality, consistent product to be produced, at a lower price to consumers. Farm animal housing methods are designed with many factors in mind and can vary from farm to farm and region to region. A growing number of options are available to farmers when building new barns, which is allowing them to choose housing methods that better meet their needs as well as the needs of animals and consumers. While many improvements have been made since the introduction of these controlled housing methods, research efforts are continuing into further improvements and modifications.
Farmers pay for much of the research themselves.