Effect of Perches at Different Positions in Conventional Cages for Laying Hens of Two Different Strains

Abrahamsson, Per; Tauson, R.

doi:10.1080/09064709309410171

Cited by 39 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In the present experiment, the difference in ash percentage appears to have been too slight to induce changes in stiffness or breaking strength, since the bone dimensions may vary in a different way between cage models and counteract the effect of the composition. In the present experiment, we were expecting differences because the perching rate was high (almost 100% at night, Guesdon unpublished data) in both furnished cage models and the humerus has been reported to be stronger in cages with perches [1]. The fact that biomechanical properties of the humeri were not different between cage models could be due to an insufficient power of the statistical analyses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Humeral quality and adrenal responsiveness in laying hens reared in standard and furnished cages

Guesdon¹,

Leterrier²,

Constantin³

et al. 2004

Anim. Res.

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-In order to find out whether furnished cages contribute to improving the welfare of laying hens, humerus quality and adrenal responsiveness were evaluated in laying hens reared in standard (S) and furnished cages (F). Four cage models were used: S5, a standard cage model with 5 hens per cage; S6, a standard cage model with 6 hens per cage; F7, a furnished cage model with 7 hens per cage (with a nest, dust-bathing box, two perches, and claw-shortening) and F15, a furnished cage model with 15 hens per cage (with a nest, dust-bathing box, two perches, and claw-shortening). At 72 weeks of age, maximal adrenal responsiveness was evaluated by measuring the changes in blood corticosterone level induced by the i.m. injection of 10 µg per hen of 1-24 ACTH (n = 15 hens per cage model). Hens (n = 15 to 23 hens per cage model) were slaughtered and the left and right humeri were used for measurement of weight, biomechanical characteristics in a flexion test, dry matter and ash percentage. Basal corticosterone levels did not differ significantly while the injection of ACTH produced a significant rise in corticosterone levels (P < 0.001) of similar amplitude for all cage models. Humeri weights, biomechanical characteristics (elastic strain, bioyield point, stiffness and breaking strength), dry weight and percentage of dry matter were not significantly different between cage models. The humeri ash percentage was significantly (P = 0.03) lower in birds from the S6 cage model (57.4%) than in birds from other cage models (S5: 59.0%; F7: 58.9%; F15: 59.7%). Adrenal responsiveness and major humeral characteristics were not significantly improved in furnished compared to standard cages in our experimental conditions. laying hen / furnished cages / exercise / bone / corticosterone / welfare Résumé -Qualité de l'os et capacité de réponse de la glande surrénale chez des poules pondeuses élevées en cages standard et en cages aménagées. Afin d'analyser si les dispositifs d'enrichissement apportés dans des cages aménagées contribuent à l'amélioration du bien-être chez la poule pondeuse, nous avons mesuré la réactivité des glandes surrénales et la qualité des humérus de poules pondeuses élevées en cages standard et en cages aménagées. Quatre modèles de cage ont été comparés : une cage standard à 5 poules S5, une cage standard à 6 poules S6, une cage aménagée à 7 poules F7 (avec un nid, un bac à poussière, 2 perchoirs, un système raccoucisseur de griffes) et une cage amé-nagée à 15 poules F15 (avec un nid, un bac à poussière, 2 perchoirs, un système raccourcisseur de griffes). La capacité de réponse maximale a été testée en comparant les corticostéronémies mesurées Quinze à 23 poules par modèle de cage ont été abattues à l'âge de 72 semaines. Le poids, les caractéristiques biomécaniques et la composition des humérus droit et gauche ont été mesurés. Les taux de bases de la corticostéronémie ne différaient pas significativement tandis que l'injection d'ACTH induisait une augmentation significative de la corticostéronémie (P < 0,001) ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Humeral quality and adrenal responsiveness in laying hens reared in standard and furnished cages

Guesdon¹,

Leterrier²,

Constantin³

et al. 2004

Anim. Res.

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“…So here the larger space, supposedly combined with a greater opportunity to exercise, as well as the structural enrichment in the furnished cages did not lead to a higher tibia breaking strength of the birds. Neither Abrahamsson and Tauson (1993) nor Hughes et al (1993) found any significant increase in the tibia bones of hens housed in furnished cages as compared to those kept in conventional cages, either. Our results differ from those of Hughes and Appleby (1989), who showed that installing perches in conventional cages resulted in a higher tibia breaking strength.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…The hens probably performed behaviours such as wing and leg stretching, wing flapping and sand bathing more often in the furnished cages than in the conventional cages, thus strengthening their humerus bones. The arrangement of the perches in the furnished cages could have had a positive effect on humerus breaking strength, because laying hens use their wings to get on to the perches (Abrahamsson and Tauson, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keeping laying hens in furnished cages and an aviary housing system enhances their bone stability

Leyendecker¹,

Hamann²,

Hartung³

et al. 2005

British Poultry Science

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1. Tibia and humerus breaking strength of Lohmann Silver hybrids kept in conventional cages, furnished cages and an aviary with outdoor run were examined in two production cycles. Each trial lasted a full laying period; feeding, management and healthcare were identical for all hens. In both trials bone strength was investigated at the end of laying months 6, 9 and 14. 2. The objective was to determine if bone strength increases when hens are kept in alternative housing systems, especially in furnished cages, and whether hen age affects bone stability. 3. The results indicated that housing system influenced bone breaking strength, which was consistently higher for hens in the aviary compared to hens in conventional and furnished cages. Furthermore, humerus breaking strength was higher for hens in furnished cages compared to conventional cages. No significant difference regarding tibia breaking strength was found between conventional and furnished cages. 4. Our results showed that lack of exercise contributed to the problem of weak bones more than did calcium depletion from eggshell formation. 5. Tibia breaking strength increased during the last third of the production cycle, whereas humerus breaking strength remained unaffected by hen age. 6. Genetic group affected only tibial bone breaking strength, which was lower overall in genetic group A than in group B, which in turn was lower than group C. 7. The increased bone strength in the aviary and in the furnished cages probably reduced the incidence of recently broken bones in these systems compared to the conventional cages. This increase in bone strength can be regarded as an improvement in welfare. Furnished cages, like the aviary system, might be considered an alternative housing system for laying hens, because both resulted in enhanced bone strength.

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“…Findings in foot pad alterations range from mild hyperkeratotic alterations to inflamed ulcers of the foot, known as bumble foot (WANG et al, 1998). ABRAHAMSSON and TAUSON (1993) described hyperkeratosis as a main alteration in conventional and furnished cages. The frequent finding of hyperkeratotic alterations in cage-kept laying hens is seen to be caused by the pressure load on the foot while perching or standing on the wire floor (SIEGWART, 1991;KEUTGEN et al, 1999;WEITZENBÜRGER et al, 2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

Foot pad health, plumage condition, integument and claw length of Lohmann Silver laying hens kept in small aviary housing systems, furnished cages and an aviary housing system

et al. 2007

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In the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th laying month, foot pad health, plumage condition, integument and claw length were evaluated in 432 Lohmann Silver laying hens kept in three different housing systems: a small aviary housing system (Eurovent 625a-EU, EV) with different perch levels, a furnished cage system (Aviplus, AP) and an aviary (Voliere Natura, AV). Foot health was scored for hyperkeratosis and lesions on a scale from 1 (normal) to 5 or 4 (severe). Plumage condition was assessed with scores from 1 (worst) to 4 (best) for different body regions. Integument was assessed for lesions and claw length of the middle toe was measured. Mild foot pad hyperkeratosis was the most frequent finding in hens of all housing systems. Sole pad hyperkeratosis was less frequent in AP and occurred more often in EV and AV. Significantly more often hyperkeratosis in the region between toe and claw was observed in AP. Toe pad lesions and lesions between toe and claw were scored lowest in AV and highest in AP. An aggravation of plumage in the course of the laying period was observed in all hens. Hens showed a significantly better total plumage condition in AP compared to EV. Within housing system, group size had a significant influence on plumage condition. Plumage was better in smaller groups. Lesions of the integument were rarely detected. Claws were significantly shortest in AP, longer in AV and longest in EV. Perch design in EV was not significant for all traits except for comp lesions.

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Effect of Perches at Different Positions in Conventional Cages for Laying Hens of Two Different Strains

Cited by 39 publications

References 13 publications

Humeral quality and adrenal responsiveness in laying hens reared in standard and furnished cages

Humeral quality and adrenal responsiveness in laying hens reared in standard and furnished cages

Keeping laying hens in furnished cages and an aviary housing system enhances their bone stability

Foot pad health, plumage condition, integument and claw length of Lohmann Silver laying hens kept in small aviary housing systems, furnished cages and an aviary housing system

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