Productive Performance of Conventional Floor-Reared Broilers vs. High Density Cage-Brooded Broilers

Hypes, W. A.; Carpenter, G. H.; Peterson, R. A.; Jones, William T.

doi:10.1093/japr/3.3.238

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…At least one study reported significantly higher growth in cages as compared to floor systems [ 66 ]. Hypes, Carpenter, Peterson, and Jones (1994) found that when cage reared chickens were moved to the floor at 21 days of age, they displayed compensatory growth, but still weighed less than their counterparts who were reared on the floor for the entire 42 day period [ 67 ]. The disparity in results may be due in part to differences in the cage floor material used, as at least one study showed lighter body weights for birds raised on wire mesh compared to birds reared on litter, steel or plastic mesh, perforated floors (made of either wood, styrofoam or plastic) or doweling (rigid, rotating or padded) with 1.91 cm of open space between horizontal components [ 13 ].…”

Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Welfare and Food Safety Aspects of Confining Broiler Chickens to Cages

Shields

Greger

2013

Animals

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Simple SummaryIn commercial chicken meat production, broiler chickens are usually kept on the floor in ware-house like buildings, but the use of cages is becoming more common. Confining chickens to cages is a welfare problem, as has been thoroughly demonstrated for laying hens used for egg production. Caged broiler chickens may suffer from poor bone strength due to lack of exercise, feather loss, and restriction of natural behavior. There are also potential food safety concerns associated with the use of cages. While cages may provide an economic advantage in some geographical regions of the world, the severe, inherent disadvantages should also be considered before cages are more widely adopted in the global broiler chicken industry.AbstractIn most areas of the world, broiler chickens are raised in floor systems, but cage confinement is becoming more common. The welfare of broiler chickens in cages is affected by movement restriction, poor bone strength due to lack of exercise, and prevention of key behavioral patterns such as dustbathing and ground scratching. Cages for broiler chickens also have a long history of causing skin and leg conditions that could further compromise welfare, but a lack of controlled studies makes it difficult to draw conclusions about newer cage designs. Cage environments are usually stocked at a higher density than open floor systems, and the limited studies available suggest that caging may lead to increased levels of fear and stress in the birds. Further, birds reared on the floor appear less likely to harbor and shed Salmonella, as litter may serve as a seeding agent for competitive exclusion by other microorganisms. Cages for laying hens used in egg production have met with substantial opposition due to welfare concerns and caging broiler chickens will likely be subject to the same kinds of social disapproval.

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Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Welfare and Food Safety Aspects of Confining Broiler Chickens to Cages

Shields

Greger

2013

Animals

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“…Advantages of cage-rearing include better utilization of heated space, mechanization, no need for expensive litter, and reduced contact with feces. Broilers have been reared in cages without reductions in body weight at the time of slaughter (Hypes et al, 1994). The room was provided with electric heaters with thermostats to adjust the environmental temperature according to the age of the birds.…”

Section: Housing and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Lighting Schedule and Nutrient Density in Broiler Chickens: Effect on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality

Li¹,

Guo²,

Chen³

et al. 2010

Asian Australas. J. Anim. Sci

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“…Broiler breeders maintained in cages had less opportunity for exercise, and did not require as much energy for maintenance as their counterparts maintained on the litter floors. Hypes (1994) found that broilers reared in cages were more efficient feed converters than those reared on the litter floor. found insignificant differences in feed conversion per dozen eggs produced by dwarf broiler breeder hens reared on litter floors, or those maintained in cages which concurs with the results of the current study.…”

Section: Feed Conversion Ratiomentioning

confidence: 98%

Productive performance and fertility of broiler breeders maintained in commercial colony cages and on the conventional floors

Mwashighadi¹

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A trial with four replicates was conducted to compare performance and fertility of naturally mated broiler breeders maintained on litter floor versus their counterparts maintained in two tiered colony cages. Cage maintained hens with restricted feeding weighed less (P<0.05) than those on the litter floors. No difference (P>0.05) was found in egg weights among treatments. No difference (P>0.01) was found in feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs produced by hens maintained in cages and those on the conventional floors. A higher (P<0.05) hen-day production was observed from 29 to 35 weeks of age in broilers maintained in cages than those on the conventional floors, but after this period no difference (P>0.05) occurred. There were more (P<0.05) eggs collected with cracks from cages than from the litter floors. The fertility rate was different (P<0.05) and it declined as the birds aged in both treatments. No significant (P>0.05) difference in mortality rate occurred between hens maintained on the litter floors versus those in cages. When the breeders were 41 weeks of age, eggs from each treatment group were randomly collected, weighed, and incubated. Offspring from these treatments were randomly allocated to litter floor pens. Progeny were spaced at 23 cm. 2 and were reared to 42 days. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in growth rate and feed conversion ratio in offspring from hens maintained on the litter floors versus offspring from hens maintained in colony cages. No significant difference (P>0.05) in mortality rate was observed among chicks produced from eggs collected from both treatments. Broiler breeding in colony cages was economical up to 40 weeks of age.

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Productive Performance of Conventional Floor-Reared Broilers vs. High Density Cage-Brooded Broilers

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Animal Welfare and Food Safety Aspects of Confining Broiler Chickens to Cages

Animal Welfare and Food Safety Aspects of Confining Broiler Chickens to Cages

Influence of Lighting Schedule and Nutrient Density in Broiler Chickens: Effect on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality

Productive performance and fertility of broiler breeders maintained in commercial colony cages and on the conventional floors

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