Effects of group size on performance, health and birds’ use of facilities in furnished cages for laying hens

Abrahamsson, Per; Tauson, R.

doi:10.1080/09064709709362394

Cited by 55 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Infectious diseases, alimentary deficiencies or ectoparasites can be causations of poor plumage in laying hens, but the housing system plays a decisive role. Many authors found an influence of the housing system on plumage condition (ABRAHAMSSON et TAUSON, 1997;APPLEBY et al 2002;WEITZENBÜRGER et al, 2006), whereas others could not detect an impact of housing system (MOINARD et al, 1998). Acquired feather damages can be caused by the equipment of housing systems.…”

Section: 5mentioning

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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Section: 5mentioning

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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“…As a consequence there is an increase of dirty, cracked or soiled eggs (Abrahamsson and Ragnar, 1997;Huneau-Salaün et al, 2011), while no effects were observed on internal egg quality (Karaman et al, 2006). The effect of group size on performance of laying hens raises in cages with equal amount of space available per bird, as it has been studied in groups with less than 10 birds (Abrahamsson and Tauson, 1997;Shimmura et al, 2010) or with different cage models (Vits et al, 2005). Recently, there is an increasing number of studies on the effect of group size on performance of laying hens raised in cage with similar design and structures but with group sizes ranging from 8 to 60 birds (Wall, 2011;Huneau-Salaün et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Group Size on Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens During 20 to 36 Weeks of Age

Bovera

Iannaccone

Piccolo

et al. 2014

Italian Journal of Animal Science

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The aim of this study was to improve knowledge on the effect of group size on productive performance and egg quality of hens raised in furnished cages equally designed. A total of 520, 15-week-old Lohmann Brown laying hens were divided into 2 groups to have a similar initial body weight (average 1392±16.3 g). The cages of S25 group (240 L x 78 W x 50 H cm, 749 cm 2 /hen) hosted a total of 200 hens, while those of S40 group (462 L x 65 W x 50 H, 751 cm 2 /hen) included 320 birds. Experimental data were recorded after an adaptation period of 5 weeks (20 to 36 weeks of age). Hens were submitted to 15 h of light/d. The average temperature inside the building was 24.6±2.5°C over the entire experimental period with higher values at 24, 26, 28 and 30 weeks of age. The relative humidity recorded inside the building was 55% at week 20 and 60% all through the experimental period. Hens raised from S40 group had lower percentage of egg production (84.91 vs 88.90%, P<0.01) and higher feed conversion ratio (2.70 vs 2.25, P<0.0001) than S25 group. The percentage of eggs laid out of the nest was higher in S25 than S40 group (0.26 vs 0.19%, P<0.01). As expected, the week of age affected almost all the parameters (feed intake, body weight, laying percentage, egg weight, yolk, shell and albumen indexes, shell thickness, Haugh unit). However, the effect of group size was particularly evident during the hot period.

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“…The shell quality remains one of the most important issues for the technology of further egg handling (Ledvinka et al 2000). However, some authors pointed out that there are differences in eggshell quality and proportion of cracked eggs between different housing systems (Abrahamsson et al 1995;Abrahamsson and Tauson 1997;Wall and Tauson 2002). Shell quality can be influenced by many factors including mineral nutrition.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood Plasma Mineral Profile and Qualitative Indicators of the Eggshell in Laying Hens in Different Housing Systems

2009

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The aim of this study was to compare the blood plasma mineral profile (Ca, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu and Se) and egg-shell quality (eggshell weight, eggshell breaking strength and thickness) of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (traditional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. The effect (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) of age and/or phase of the laying cycle on all mineral concentrations was determined. Eggshell breaking strength decreased (p < 0.001) with the age of birds. The results of this study indicate that the housing systems compared had no significant effect on the blood plasma mineral profile of laying hens under study and the values were within the physiological range. However, a significant effect of housing system on eggshell breaking strength and eggshell weight was found. Improved eggshell quality was obtained in most periods of the laying cycle in the enriched cage systems. Blood minerals, egg-shell quality, standard cage, enriched cage, deep litter floorPassage of the Council Directive 1999/74/EC has resulted in the replacement of traditional cages with enriched cages, litter technologies or aviaries to improve the welfare of laying hens. The shell quality remains one of the most important issues for the technology of further egg handling (Ledvinka et al. 2000). However, some authors pointed out that there are differences in eggshell quality and proportion of cracked eggs between different housing systems (Abrahamsson et al. 1995;Abrahamsson and Tauson 1997;Wall and Tauson 2002). Shell quality can be influenced by many factors including mineral nutrition. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are major inorganic constituents of avian eggshells (Cusack et al. 2003). Simons (1976) found small amounts of potassium, copper and zinc in the palisade layer of the eggshell. The presence of sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper was confirmed also in the shell membranes (Wedral et al. 1974). The importance of minerals is reflected in changes of arrangement pattern of shell membrane fibres in relation to the structural composition of the eggshell, for example when using copper-and magnesium-deficient diets (Leach and Gross 1983). Traces of magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc were also found in the egg cuticle. Plasma mineral concentrations during the laying period can be influenced by many factors; such as laying rate and energy requirements (Suchý et al. 2001), partial quantitative feed restriction (Sahin and Kucuk 2001), mineral supplements (Eren et al. 2004), ambient temperature (Siegel 1995;Donoghue et al. 1990;Ching 1992;Belay and Teeter 1993; Večerek et al. 2002), production type (Suchý et al. 2004), age of hens (Cerolini et al. 1990;Gyenis et al. 2006), stress (Beisel 1982Combs and Combs 1984; Tufft and Nockles 1991;Klasing 1998), exposure to heavy metals (Zralý et al. 2008), etc.With regard to differences in eggshell quality between different ho...

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Effects of group size on performance, health and birds’ use of facilities in furnished cages for laying hens

Cited by 55 publications

References 11 publications

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

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

Effect of Group Size on Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens During 20 to 36 Weeks of Age

Blood Plasma Mineral Profile and Qualitative Indicators of the Eggshell in Laying Hens in Different Housing Systems

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