The initial investment specially in poultry housing per bird, has increased considerably due to increase in the cost of Asbestos Cement Sheets, Steel and Cement.

As early as 10 years before, since 1991-92, the Institute was engaged in developing a prototype for economical low-cost housing, both for layers as well as broilers. The Institute developed a unique concept of Open Cage Unit (without construction of a shed) housing the layer birds in cages, into open, providing roof on the top to protect the birds against inclement weather. The unit is covered from the sides and top by chain link /chicken mesh. The cost of construction has reduced to about 45 to 50 %, in comparison to a permanent shed with cages. This Open Cage Unit has been functioning since the last 8 – 10 years and the production performance has been not only comparable, but even 1-1 ½ % better or more, than the birds housed in Conventional Shed.

Late Dr.B.V.Rao, constructed a 76,000 layer unit in Open Cage Units, without a shed at Veljrela near Hyderabad for the Commercial Layer Farm of the Egg Powder Plant.

Dr.A.L.Bhagwat, Former Director of the Institute presented a scientific paper on the performance of the birds in these Low Cost Houses in the XXth World’s Poultry Congress held at New Delhi, during September, 1996.

The Institute also developed prototypes for commercial broiler sheds by using low cost, locally available material for reducing the cost of construction. The Institute has developed designs for small farmers – Rural design, as well as a design for commercial broiler farms also.