Presence of roosters in an alternative egg production system aiming at animal welfare

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of roosters on welfare and egg production of laying hens reared in an alternative system. Two breeding systems were established: barn 1 -laying hens reared without roosters (4500 birds); and barn 2 -laying hens reared with roosters (4500 layers and 250 roosters). In the poultry facilities, microclimate, egg production, mortality rate, and bird behavior were evaluated. Microclimate analysis showed that the birds were subjected to periods of constant heat stress, except for the morning hours. However, even under these conditions, egg production results and mortality rate were consistent with the indices recommended in the Isa Brown management guide in the barn with roosters; the indices obtained were even better and were characterized by higher egg production and lower mortality rates. In addition to productivity benefits, the presence of roosters broadened the behavioral repertoire of the birds due to the introduction of reproductive behaviors. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the tolerance-reflex behavior, which is associated with the impossibility of displaying reproductive behaviors. This alternative egg production system proved to promote animal welfare since it provides and stimulates the display of behaviors considered important for birds.

The Aviary Transect—a practical welfare assessment tool to improve the management of cage-free laying hens

“…Our results show no evidence that the roosters were beneficial in reducing feather loss in contrast to Louton et al (2017), who reported that the presence of roosters reduced the risk of feather pecking. Pereira et al (2017) observed that the presence of roosters reduced mortality and altered hen behavior, but their ratio of roosters to hens was far higher (250 roosters in a flock of 4,500 hens) than in the present study. We found that the number of roosters in the flocks was associated with a higher prevalence of feather loss on the back and dirty birds.…”

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

“…In addition, the systems provide free dietary choice for laying hens to promote their foraging activities, thus improving animal welfare [ 145 ]. Finally, putting roosters and laying hens together reduces the incidence of fear and feather damage in laying hens, and the presence of a rooster broadens the behavioural repertoire of laying hens [ 146 ]. Notably, predation was not yet a key concern.…”

Comportamento de galinhas domésticas – percepções de uma revisão narrativa

“…Sexual courtship behavior is performed before the cover and involves wing movements and vocalizations from males to females. It is usually exhibited by the dominated males instead of heavier ones (PEREIRA et al 2017).…”