Managing Free-Range Laying Hens—Part B: Early Range Users Have More Pathology Findings at the End of Lay but Have a Significantly Higher Chance of Survival—An Indicative Study

Sibanda, Terence Zimazile; O’Shea, C.J.; Vilela, Jéssica de Souza; Kolakshyapati, Manisha; Welch, Mitchell; Schneider, Derek; Courtice, Jodi M.; Ruhnke, Isabelle

doi:10.3390/ani10101911

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(71 reference statements)

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“…(2016). Although range use differs considerably between individuals within a flock (Larsen et al., 2017; Sibanda et al., 2020), a very large percentage of hens go outside at least some of the time (> 95% according to (Hartcher et al., 2016; Campbell et al., 2017b; Larsen et al., 2017; Buijs et al., 2020)), but 71% in (Gebhardt‐Henrich et al., 2014). Birds that range more at the start of lay (relative to their flock mates) also range more when older (Rodriguez‐Aurrekoetxea and Estevez, 2016) (Chielo et al., 2016).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, for keel bone fractures and fearfulness it is often difficult to determine if those are the cause or the effect of low use of the outdoor range. Individuals that spent more time outdoors when young (18–21 weeks) were: 2.4 times more likely to survive to the end of lay than hens that spent little time outdoors and had a lower occurrence of fatty liver syndrome (Sibanda et al., 2020).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welfare of laying hens on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of laying hens, pullets and layer breeders on farm. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal‐based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. The highly relevant welfare consequences based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence are bone lesions, group stress, inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, isolation stress, predation stress, resting problems, restriction of movement, skin disorders and soft tissue lesions and integument damage. The welfare consequences of non‐cage compared to cage systems for laying hens are described and minimum enclosure characteristics are described for laying hens, pullets and layer breeders. Beak trimming, which causes negative welfare consequences and is conducted to reduce the prevalence and severity of pecking, is described as well as the risks associated with rearing of non‐beak‐trimmed flocks. Alternatives to reduce sharpness of the beak without trimming are suggested. Finally, total mortality, plumage damage, wounds, keel bone fractures and carcass condemnations are the most promising ABMs for collection at slaughterhouses to monitor the level of laying hen welfare on farm. Main recommendations include housing all birds in non‐cage systems with easily accessible, elevated platforms and provision of dry and friable litter and access to a covered veranda. It is further recommended to implement protocols to define welfare trait information to encourage progress in genetic selection, implement measures to prevent injurious pecking, rear pullets with dark brooders and reduce male aggression in layer breeders.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of laying hens on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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“…Range use is also associated with reduced risk of plumage damage and feather pecking (see the next welfare issue) (Bestman and Wagenaar 2003;Bestman et al 2017). All these issues combined may result, therefore, in low flock productivity and uniformity, as well as low animal welfare (Sibanda et al 2020a(Sibanda et al , 2020b(Sibanda et al , 2020c.…”

Section: Range Use In Broiler Chickens and Laying Hensmentioning

confidence: 99%

How can the research on chicken cognition improve chicken welfare: a perspective review

Ferreira¹,

Guesdon²,

Calandreau

2021

World's Poultry Science Journal

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A recent definition of animal welfare states that "the welfare of an animal is its positive mental and physical state related to the fulfilment of its physiological and behavioural needs in addition to its expectations. This state can vary depending on the animal's perception of a given situation'. This definition confirms the importance of taking the individual animal perspective (i.e. its cognition) into consideration, in order to properly assess its welfare. Cognitive abilities of domestic chickens have been extensively studied in recent years, but few of these studies focussed on the relationship between chicken cognition and welfare issues commonly found in chicken production systems. Considering the chickens' cognitive abilities offers new and different perspectives on the welfare problems faced by chicken production. Combined with applied research, cognitive studies can generate impactful and sciencebased strategies to solve these problems better. In this short nonsystematic review, we focus on cognitive research aimed at understanding three widespread welfare issues in poultry production: uneven range use in free-range broiler chickens and laying hens, feather pecking in laying hens, and the unfulfilled behavioural and physiological needs of broiler breeders. Knowledge of chicken cognitive abilities is critical to ameliorate chickens' rearing conditions and develop systems and practices that are more respectful of animal welfare.

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“…Studies have shown that hens kept with access to a run are less likely to peck feathers and have a better plumage condition [39,[60][61][62]. However, the benefits that hens derive from access to the run largely depend on whether the birds choose to use it or not.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of the Plumage Condition of Three Egg-Laying Poultry Genotypes Housed in Non-Cage Systems

Sokołowicz

Dykiel

Topczewska

et al. 2023

Animals

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The study covered a total of 810 hens in 3 groups (housing systems) of 270 hens each. The plumage condition of laying hens raised in various types of alternative housing systems, i.e., in deep litter (B), free-range (FR), and organic systems (O), was assessed at 20, 36, and 56 weeks of age. The indoor stocking density was 6 hens/m2. The study included hens of the native Green-legged Partridge breed (Z-11), Rhode Island Red (R-11) hens covered by a genetic resource protection program, and hybrids of Hy-Line Brown. The plumage of the head, neck, back, tail, and abdomen was assessed on a 5-point scale. The assessment of individual hens' plumage was calculated as the sum of the scores of the head, neck, back, tail and abdomen and could range from 0 (no cover) to 20 points (full plumage). The type of alternative housing system implemented and the age of the laying hens had an effect on the plumage status of all body parts assessed (p < 0.05), while the genotype had an effect on the condition of the neck, back, and tail plumage (p < 0.05). In both the FR and O systems, the plumage status was similar and superior to that in B (p < 0.05). As the age of the birds increased, the condition of the hens' plumage deteriorated. The better state of the plumage in FR and O than in B may indicate improved levels of welfare in housing systems with access to outside runs.

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Managing Free-Range Laying Hens—Part B: Early Range Users Have More Pathology Findings at the End of Lay but Have a Significantly Higher Chance of Survival—An Indicative Study

Cited by 11 publications

References 56 publications

Welfare of laying hens on farm

Welfare of laying hens on farm

How can the research on chicken cognition improve chicken welfare: a perspective review

A Comparison of the Plumage Condition of Three Egg-Laying Poultry Genotypes Housed in Non-Cage Systems

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