Welfare Levels in Heritage Breed vs. Commercial Laying Hens in the Litter System

Sosnówka-Czajka, Ewa; Herbut, E.; Skomorucha, I.; Muchacka, Renata

doi:10.2478/v10220-011-0010-2

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…Environmental stressors activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, leading to the release of corticosterone (CORT) and subsequent biochemical responses [ 34 , 35 ]. While the corticosterone concentrations generally decrease with age, variations in stress levels among different rearing systems highlight the importance of the housing conditions for broiler welfare [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing

Honig,

Haron,

Plitman

et al. 2024

Animals

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This study compares the effects of modern colony cage systems and traditional floor systems on the production and welfare of broiler chickens. Through two trials spanning 35 days each, we evaluated various physiological parameters, including growth performance, bone health, stress responses, and meat quality. Colony cages demonstrated superior thermal regulation and growth performance compared to traditional floor systems, but also exhibited higher frequencies of leg deformity and reduced standing ability. Conversely, the broilers in traditional floor systems experienced heat stress-related challenges, impacting the meat quality. Our findings underscore the need to balance productivity with animal welfare in broiler farming practices. By understanding the distinct impacts of different housing systems, we can work towards improving broiler rearing methods to ensure optimal welfare and production outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing

Honig,

Haron,

Plitman

et al. 2024

Animals

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The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems – A Review

Sosnówka-Czajka

Skomorucha

Herbut

2021

Annals of Animal Science

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The currently used poultry farming methods, which aim to maximise economic profit, are based on ever new technological solutions that improve flock management and increase bird performance. However, they do not always meet the natural needs of birds. Every housing method and technological solution currently in use is faced with some issues, such as social stress, adverse temperature/humidity conditions, risk of zoonoses, and behavioural pathologies, which determine poultry performance and welfare. Disregard for animal welfare involves not only ethical but also practical aspects, because well-being and housing comfort translate into better weight gains, health and productivity of the birds. The studies reported here suggest that every production system, despite the many welfare-improving aspects, causes numerous behavioural, productivity and health abnormalities in laying hens. Therefore, further research is needed to identify various risk factors for the purpose of improving housing systems and increasing the welfare of hens.

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Fear, stress, and feather pecking in commercial white and brown laying hen parent-stock flocks and their relationships with production parameters

et al. 2013

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Little is known about the relationship between welfare traits and production in laying hen parent stock (PS). In commercial laying hens and pure lines, it is known that aspects associated with reduced welfare such as high fear, stress, and feather pecking can have negative effects on production. Because PS hens are housed under different conditions than commercial laying hens, the relationship between welfare traits and production may differ. We therefore studied the fear response to a stationary person (SP) and novel object (NO), basal plasma corticosterone (CORT) and whole-blood serotonin levels (5-HT), and feather damage as a proxy for feather pecking in 10 Dekalb White (DW) and 10 ISA Brown (ISA) commercial PS flocks and related these to production data. Because the relationship between welfare traits and production may differ by genetic origin and group size, we also assessed genotype and group size effects. Dekalb White birds were more fearful of a SP, and had more feather damage and lower 5-HT levels than ISA birds. Genotypes did not differ in CORT. A large group size (n > 5,000) was associated with low feed intake and better feed conversion for ISA flocks. For DW flocks, high fear of the NO was associated with low BW, low egg weight, and low feed intake. For ISA flocks, high fear of the SP was associated with high mortality. For both lines, high CORT was related to low egg weight. This is the first study to associate levels of fear and CORT to production in commercial PS flocks. Management of PS flocks should take into account breed differences, group size effects, and effects of human-bird interactions. Further research is needed to determine the effects of fear, CORT, 5-HT, and feather damage in commercial PS flocks on the development of their offspring.

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Welfare Levels in Heritage Breed vs. Commercial Laying Hens in the Litter System

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing

Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing

The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems – A Review

Fear, stress, and feather pecking in commercial white and brown laying hen parent-stock flocks and their relationships with production parameters

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