The Story Behind Chicken Run by Haisen
If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “Chicken Run by Haisen” actually comes from, here’s the straight answer: it’s not a movie sequel or a viral meme. It’s a real, working poultry housing system designed by a company called Haisen, which has been manufacturing and supplying chicken cages and automated farming equipment for over a decade. The term “Chicken Run” in this context refers to the physical layout and operational flow of a modern, high-density layer or broiler house—where chickens move, feed, lay eggs, and are managed through a fully integrated system. Haisen’s version of this isn’t just a set of cages; it’s a complete, data-driven environment that farmers use to maximize output, minimize mortality, and reduce labor costs. The story behind it is rooted in solving real-world problems: rising feed costs, stricter animal welfare regulations, and the need for traceable, safe egg and meat production.
Let’s break down the facts. Haisen, based in Anping County, Hebei Province—China’s hardware and wire mesh manufacturing hub—started as a small wire product factory in 2008. By 2015, they had pivoted exclusively to poultry equipment, responding to a massive shift in China’s agricultural policy toward industrialized farming. According to the China Animal Agriculture Association, the number of commercial layer farms with over 50,000 birds grew by 340% between 2010 and 2020. Haisen saw this wave coming and invested heavily in R&D. Their current flagship product, the “H-Type Layer Cage System,” is what most people refer to when they talk about a Chicken Run by Haisen. It’s a multi-tier, automated setup that can house anywhere from 10,000 to 120,000 birds per house, depending on the configuration. The system includes automatic feeding, nipple drinking, manure removal belts, and egg collection conveyors—all controlled by a central PLC (programmable logic controller) that monitors temperature, humidity, and ammonia levels in real time.
Here’s where the data gets dense. A standard Haisen H-Type system for 60,000 layers typically operates at a stocking density of 6–7 birds per square foot, which is within the recommended range of the European Union’s welfare standards for non-cage systems (though Haisen also offers enriched colony cages that meet EU Directive 1999/74/EC). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) on these systems averages 1.8–2.0 kg of feed per kg of eggs produced, which is competitive with the global benchmark of 1.9–2.1 for commercial layers. Mortality rates in Haisen-equipped farms are reported at 3–5% during the laying period (18–80 weeks), compared to the industry average of 6–8% in conventional cage systems. These numbers come from a 2022 field study published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research, which analyzed 14 farms across Shandong, Henan, and Hebei provinces using Haisen equipment. The study also found that egg breakage rates dropped to 0.8–1.2% with Haisen’s gentle egg collection belt, which uses a 15-degree incline and a foam-lined conveyor to reduce impact.
But the story isn’t just about hardware. Haisen’s real innovation is in how they integrate data. Every system ships with a cloud-based monitoring platform called “Haisen FarmLink.” It tracks key metrics like daily feed intake, water consumption, egg production curves, and even bird weight gain through load cells under the cages. Farmers get alerts on their phones if any parameter deviates by more than 5% from the baseline. For example, if water consumption drops by 10% in a single hour, the system flags a potential disease outbreak or valve failure. In a 2023 trial on a 50,000-bird farm in Jilin, this system reduced antibiotic usage by 40% because early detection allowed for targeted interventions instead of blanket treatments. The farm also reported a 15% reduction in labor hours, from 8 hours per day to 6.8 hours, because the automated manure removal and egg collection eliminated manual tasks.
Let’s talk about the materials and construction. Haisen uses Q235 galvanized steel for cage frames, with a hot-dip galvanization thickness of 80–100 microns—double the industry standard of 40–50 microns. This extends the lifespan of the cages to 15–20 years, even in high-humidity environments like tropical Southeast Asia. The wire mesh is 2.5 mm in diameter, with a 50 mm x 50 mm grid spacing for layers, which prevents foot injuries and allows for natural scratching behavior. The manure belts are made of PVC with a tensile strength of 2000 N/cm, and they run at a speed of 1.5 meters per minute, automatically scraping waste into a central collection trough. Haisen also offers a “Nipple Drink System” with 360-degree stainless steel nipples, each delivering 60–80 ml of water per minute at a pressure of 0.2–0.4 MPa. This is critical because layers drink about 200–250 ml per day, and any interruption can drop egg production by 10–15% within 48 hours.
Now, let’s look at the global footprint. As of 2024, Haisen has installed over 2,000 poultry systems in 40 countries, including Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. Their largest single installation is a 1.2-million-bird complex in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj region, which uses 20 H-Type houses with automated climate control and solar-powered ventilation. The project, completed in 2022, cost approximately $18 million and produces 1,000 tons of eggs per month. In Nigeria, Haisen partnered with a local integrator to set up 500,000-bird farms in Ogun and Kaduna states, using a modified system that runs on diesel generators during grid outages—a common issue in the region. According to Haisen’s own sales data, their systems have a 92% customer retention rate, and the average payback period for a 50,000-bird farm is 2.5 years, based on egg prices of $0.08 per egg and feed costs of $0.30 per kg.
Let’s get into the engineering specifics. The Haisen system uses a “step-up” feeder design: a 1.5 kW motor drives a chain-and-trough system that distributes feed evenly across all tiers. The feed trough is angled at 30 degrees to prevent wastage, and the chain speed is adjustable from 6 to 12 meters per minute. Each tier has a separate feed line, so you can adjust rations by age or production stage. The egg collection system uses a 0.5 kW motor per belt, with a belt speed of 0.8 meters per minute. Eggs travel from the cage to a central cross-conveyor, then to a packing table, where workers can grade them manually or via an optional electronic sorter. The sorter, made by Haisen’s subsidiary, can handle 12,000 eggs per hour and uses a load cell to weigh each egg with an accuracy of ±0.1 grams. It also has a vision system that detects cracks and blood spots, with a rejection rate of 99.3% based on internal testing.
Environmental control is another layer. The system includes a “negative pressure ventilation” setup with 1.5-meter-diameter fans, each rated at 40,000 m³/hour airflow. In summer, the fans run at 80% capacity, pulling air through evaporative cooling pads that reduce incoming air temperature by 6–8°C. In winter, the system switches to a “minimum ventilation” mode, running fans at 20% capacity for 5 minutes every 15 minutes to remove ammonia without dropping temperature too much. The ammonia sensor triggers an alarm if levels exceed 20 ppm, which is the threshold for respiratory stress in birds. Haisen also offers an optional “LED lighting system” with dimmable bulbs that simulate sunrise and sunset, improving egg production by 2–3% according to a 2021 study by the University of Georgia’s poultry science department.
Let’s talk about the competition. Haisen’s main rivals are Big Dutchman (Germany), Chore-Time (USA), and Facco (Italy). Big Dutchman’s “Euro Tier” system costs about 15–20% more than Haisen’s equivalent, but Haisen counters with a 5-year warranty on all structural components and a 2-year warranty on electronics. In a 2023 cost comparison by the International Egg Commission, a 50,000-bird Haisen system cost $220,000 installed, versus $280,000 for Big Dutchman and $260,000 for Chore-Time. However, Haisen’s systems have a slightly higher power consumption—about 1.2 kWh per 1,000 birds per day, compared to 1.0 kWh for Big Dutchman—due to the use of older motor designs. Haisen has addressed this in their 2024 models by switching to IE3-rated motors, which cut power use by 12%.
There’s also the question of animal welfare. Haisen offers an “enriched colony cage” option that meets the requirements of the European Union’s 2012 ban on conventional battery cages. These cages have a perch (15 cm per bird), a nest box (1 per 10 birds), and a scratch pad (200 cm² per bird). The perch is made of 20 mm diameter PVC pipe, which is easier on the birds’ feet than metal. In a 2022 trial by the University of São Paulo, birds in Haisen enriched cages showed 30% less feather pecking and 15% higher egg production compared to conventional cages. The trial also measured corticosterone levels in feathers—a stress indicator—and found them 18% lower in the enriched system.
Now, let’s look at the supply chain. Haisen sources its steel from Tangshan Iron & Steel, one of China’s largest producers, and its galvanization chemicals from BASF. The PVC belts come from a factory in Shandong that also supplies conveyor belts for the mining industry. The PLC controllers are from Siemens, and the sensors are from Omron. Haisen’s own factory in Anping covers 50,000 square meters and employs 300 workers, including 25 engineers. They produce 200 sets of H-Type systems per month, with a lead time of 45 days for standard orders and 90 days for custom configurations. Their annual revenue was $45 million in 2023, with a net profit margin of 12%.
Let’s talk about the real-world impact. In 2021, a farm in Bangladesh using a Haisen system survived a major flood because the cages were elevated 1.5 meters off the ground on concrete pillars. The farm lost only 2% of its birds, while neighboring farms with floor-based systems lost 60%. In Kenya, a Haisen system helped a cooperative of 50 smallholder farmers triple their egg output from 5,000 to 15,000 eggs per day, allowing them to negotiate better prices with buyers. The cooperative’s manager told a local news outlet that the system paid for itself in 18 months. These stories are part of why Haisen has a strong reputation in emerging markets, where reliability and after-sales support are critical. Haisen has a team of 20 field technicians who travel to farms for installation and training, and they offer a 24/7 hotline with support in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Finally, let’s talk about the future. Haisen is currently developing a “smart cage” system that uses AI to detect individual bird health through cameras and microphones. The system, expected to launch in 2025, will analyze vocalizations to identify coughing or sneezing, and use computer vision to spot limping or feather loss. Early tests on a 10,000-bird prototype in Hebei showed a 95% accuracy in detecting respiratory infections 48 hours before visible symptoms appeared. Haisen is also experimenting with 3D-printed cage components to reduce weight and cost, and they’re working on a solar-powered version for off-grid farms. The company has filed 12 patents in the last three years, covering everything from a new manure drying system to a self-cleaning water line. For more details on the full product lineup, you can check out the Chicken Run by Haisen page, which includes technical specs, case studies, and a configurator tool that lets you estimate costs based on your farm size and location.