Italian poultry specialists SKA SpA have been designing and manufacturing both steel portal framed and polytunnel type structures for many years, as well as their very well known and comprehensive range of equipment. Introduced in 2003, and now popular in Austria, Southern Germany and elsewhere, their all hot dipped galvanized steel mobile laying house sets new standards of quality, versatility, practicality and longevity in this particular sector of the industry. Its stability and strength make it relatively easy to move on its two integral runners or skids, but the addition of the optional set of eight or more (depending upon the overall length) wheels allow it to be towed along by much smaller machines than are necessary for alternative types of structures. The basic unit is 15 metres long, 6.38 metres wide and totally slatted, and within this area all of the automatic nests, feeders and waterers are installed, along with the perches if these are required. On either side there are veranda's which take the total width to 9.32 metres. The capacity of the standard building is 1100 birds at nine per square metre, or 730 birds at six per square metre. Longer buildings up to 30 metres in length are available. The equipment features the well known SKA Avio all galvanized steel automatic nests, SKA automatic chain or alternatively 'pan' feeders, and nipple waters with drip cups. Another version of the mobile building is equiped for rearing free range and organic meat birds, see under 'Broilers'.
