When should farm managers perform cage density thinning as brown pullets mature, and what spatial triggers indicate overcrowding stress?

Managing cage stocking density during the rearing phase of brown pullets is critical to ensuring proper growth and skeletal development. As chicks mature, their spatial requirements increase. Initial brooding cages (which house up to 30-40 day-old chicks) must be thinned out at 5 to 6 weeks of age, transferring half the birds to rearing cages to maintain a minimum of 250 cm² of floor space per bird. A final thinning and spacing check must be completed by 15 weeks of age, ensuring birds have at least 350-400 cm² of space before they are moved to laying cages. Spatial triggers that indicate overcrowding stress include uneven feather wear, increased skin scratches, vocalizations, and wet manure caused by heat stress. Density guidelines are in the Poultry Encyclopedia, custom cage expansion kits are sold on Poultry Plaza, pullet rates are on Poultry Rates, and spacious rearing facilities are listed on Murghi Mandi.