Pullet Rearing Affects Collisions and Perch Use in Enriched Colony Cage Layer Housing

Abstract

Hens reared in aviaries (AVI) as pullets have improved spatial abilities compared to hens reared in non-enriched cages (CON). However, this effect on behavior has been shown only to 23 weeks of age. Lohmann LSL-Lite hens were reared in either CON or AVI until 19 weeks of age and then moved into enriched colony cages (ECC) containing two elevated perches of different heights (n = 6 ECC/treatment). Focal hens (3 per ECC) were fitted with tri-axial accelerometers to record acceleration events at 21, 35, and 49 weeks of age. Video recordings from each age were used to identify behaviors associated with acceleration events as well as the proportion of hens utilizing perches. CON hens experienced more acceleration events (p = 0.008) and more collisions (p = 0.04) than AVI hens during the day at 21 and 35 weeks of age. The total proportion of hens perching at night was similar between treatments across most time points, but fewer CON hens used the high perch compared to AVI hens throughout the study (p = < 0.001). Rearing in aviaries influences hen behavior out to peak lay for collisions and out to mid-lay for perch height preference in ECC.

Effects of the rearing environment complexity on laying hens’ spatial cognition: A holeboard test approach

“…Those 17 additional weeks of housing in furnished cages at the laying farm could have evened out the effects of the rearing environment on cognition. A similar acclimatization to the laying environment has been observed by Pullin et al (2020). Hens reared in barren cages showed a higher number of collisions than Fig.…”

Welfare of laying hens on farm

“…Rearing with perches reduces subsequent collisions for adult hens housed in colony cages (Pullin et al., 2020), and aids movement and reduces collisions in aviary systems (Ali et al., 2019), although as older birds adapt, the influence of the rearing period diminishes (MacLachlan et al., 2020). Conversely, delaying birds' access to perches and elevated nests (from 17 weeks to 25 weeks) compromises movement and increases the risk of injury from falls (Ali et al., 2019).…”

Effects of Key Farm Management Practices on Pullets Welfare—A Review

“…To aviaries Higher risk of feed waste, dehydration, and ground eggs Tauson 2005 [8] To aviaries Prone to flight accidents, keel fractures, and vent pecking Gunnarsson et al, 1999 [9] To perches chicks exposed to perches earlier behaved better at moving between the layers later. Gunnarsson et al, 2000 [10] To floor barns with perch Delaying access to perches for at least 10 weeks Mitchell et al, 2015 [11] To enriched colony cages * Reduces discomfort, enhances the development of bone mass parameters better than those of the traditional cage layers Regmi et al, 2016 [12] Cage-free rearing From aviaries or cages to the same housing type or enriched cages Total medullary and pneumatic bone weight and ash content scores from high to low were A-A, C-E, A-C and C-C hens, respectively Neijat et al, 2019 [13] From aviaries to furnished cages at 16 weeks Mortality (20-76 wk) is higher (5.52% vs. 2.48%) than cage-reared birds Tahamtani et al, 2014 [14] From aviaries to cages Early transfer (16 From aviaries to * aviaries More eggs in the nest compared to barn-reared hens Colson et al, 2008 [18] To outdoor * The high outdoor hens showed the highest spleen and empty gizzard weights Md Saiful et al, 2020 [19] To modified cages (with 2 nests each) * Expressed a full repertoire of pre-laying activities; displacement behaviors and pacing were less frequent; more eggs in the nest than conventional cages without nests Shervin et al, 1993 [20] * Indicates the best matching effects.…”

“…Meanwhile, compared to the cage-reared birds, mortality in furnished cages caused by frustration and feather pecking is higher among aviary-reared pullets, suggesting that their later welfare may be compromised [14,25,26]; however, early transfer to a laying aviary (16 weeks or earlier) could reduce this effect [15]. In addition, pullets transferred from aviaries to enriched cages exhibit less fear, more dust bath activity, and use higher perches compared to cage-reared pullets [16,17]. Similarly, a study showed that birds reared in an aviary have higher laying rates in the nest, as compared to those reared in a barn-housed group [18].…”