Effects of cage population and stocking density on the performance of layers in Queensland

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (76) ◽  
pp. 619 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Connor ◽  
HW Burton
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Cage Size ◽  
Cage Population ◽  
Production Characteristics

Three commercial egg production strains, a White Leghorn and two White Leghorn x Australorp, were used in two experiments which examined the effects of cage size and number of birds per cage on production characteristics. Nine cage housing systems varying from a 23 cm frontage single bird cage to a 61 cm frontage cage housing seven birds were compared. The efficacy of debeaking again at 12 or 20 weeks of age following routine debeaking at five days of age as a cannibalism control measure in a comparison of five housing systems was examined in another two experiments. Further experiments examined the practice of housing birds according to body weight in either one, two or three bird cage populations. Increasing bird numbers per cage or stocking density had little effect on egg weight, feed consumption or liveweight gain but decreased egg production and increased mortality in experiments where cannibalism was a significant cause of death. Hen housed egg production was an accurate measure of bird performance for comparison of housing systems. In experiments where additional debeaking was carried out the incidence of cannibalism was insignificant and debeaking at 12 or 20 weeks had no detrimental effect on bird performance. No strain x cage housing system interactions were observed and no improvement in performance resulted from housing birds in multiple bird cages according to liveweight.

scholarly journals Effects of laying hens housing system on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, and egg microbial contamination

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Englmaierová ◽  
E. Tůmová ◽  
V. Charvátová ◽  
M. Skřivan
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Total Count ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Egg Shells

The objective of this study was to compare the performance, egg quality, and microbial contamination of egg shells from hens maintained in different housing systems, such as conventional and enriched cages, litter, and aviaries. The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the performance characteristics. The highest egg production, lowest daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were measured in conventional cages compared to litter and aviaries. Higher egg shell and albumen qualities were observed in conventional cages, whereas hens housed in enriched cages and aviaries laid eggs with a higher yolk index (P < 0.001). The housing system significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the total count of bacteria on the egg surface and the microbial contamination of Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. The lowest values for the total count of bacterial contamination (P < 0.001) were found in eggs from conventional cages (4.05 log colony-forming units (CFU)/egg) and enriched cages (3.98 log CFU/egg). Eggs from aviaries had 5.49 log CFU per egg, and the highest level of contamination was observed in eggs that were laid on litter (6.24 log CFU/egg). The level of the microbial contamination of egg shells from litter and aviaries was by 2 log CFU higher than in eggs from cages. It could be concluded, from the viewpoint of egg safety, a more suitable substitute for conventional cages are enriched cages and aviaries than litter.  

Effect of Supplementation of Multi Enzymes on Production Performance and Egg Quality Traits in White Leghorn Layers

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Pandian ◽  
A. Sundaresan ◽  
A. V. Omprakash
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of Multi-enzymes with lysophospholipids on production performance of pure line White Leghorn layers. Body weights before and after the experiment did not differ significantly across the experimental diets. Irrespective of the dietary treatments, the birds gained 3.83 per cent of live weight relative to its initial body weight. Mean per cent Hen housed egg production was significantly (Pis less than 0.05) higher in diet supplemented with 0.10 MEC-L than other groups. Mean egg weight and average daily feed consumption during 25 to 35 weeks of age indicated no significant effect of enzyme supplementation. Average daily feed consumption per bird in control, 0.05 % and 0.1% multi-enzyme supplemented groups was 108.13, 105.66 and 107.67 g respectively and birds offered control diet recorded numerically more feed intake than enzyme supplemented groups. Comparatively low feed per egg was observed in 0.10 per cent group followed by 0.05 per cent group which offers economic benefits than control diets. However, the egg quality traits between different dietary enzyme supplementation groups showed no significant difference.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study on feather cover damage in Canadian laying hens in non-cage housing systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Decina ◽  
Olaf Berke ◽  
Nienke van Staaveren ◽  
Christine F. Baes ◽  
Tina M. Widowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling

Abstract Background Feather damage (FD) resulting from feather pecking remains a concern in non-cage housing systems for laying hens worldwide. This study aimed to identify bird-, housing-, and management-related factors associated with FD in non-cage housing systems as the egg production sector phases out the conventional cage system in Canada. A survey on housing and management practices was developed and distributed to 122 laying hen farms where 39 respondents provided information on non-cage flocks. Farmers visually assessed 50 birds throughout the barn for FD using a 0–2 scoring scale according to severity. Prevalence of FD was calculated as the percentage of birds with any form of FD (score > 0). Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with FD prevalence. Results Six variables were included in the final model and accounted for 64% of the variation in FD between farms. FD prevalence was higher with increasing flock age (0.9% ± 0.29) and when birds were housed in all wire/slatted barns compared with all litter barns (37.6% ± 13.1). Additionally, FD prevalence tended to be higher in barns with manure removal only after depopulation (20.1% ± 10.70). Enrichment also tended to be associated with higher FD (19.1% ± 8.04), possibly indicating that it was provided after FD was observed as a control measure, or, was not efficient in reducing the development of FD. Conclusions These findings emphasize the role of litter provision and management (e.g., manure removal effects on air quality), and its potential impact on FD among laying hens in non-cage housing systems in Canada. Further longitudinal and/or intervention studies are needed to assess the potential of the identified factors to function as a management strategy to prevent or reduce FD in non-cage housed laying hens.

SUBSTITUTION OF SORGHUM FOR WHEAT IN DIETS FOR LAYING HENS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. GARDINER ◽  
D. J. MAJOR ◽  
S. DUBETZ
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Single Comb

The effects of substituting various levels of sorghum for wheat in diets for laying hens were studied. Egg production, egg weight, feed consumption, body weight and hatchability of eggs from Single Comb White Leghorn hens were not affected by the proportion of sorghum in the diet. Key words: Sorghum, wheat, nutrition, egg production

AN ETHOGRAM OF WHITE LEGHORN-TYPE HENS IN BATTERY CAGES

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 751-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. WEBSTER ◽  
J. F. HURNIK
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Behavioral Adaptation ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Behavioral States ◽  
Physical Displacement ◽  
Over Time

The purpose of this study was to record the ethogram of White Leghorn-type hens in cages and to note changes in behavior over the course of the laying period. Three hundred and eighty-four hens derived from two male parental stocks were randomly assigned as pairs to the cages of two three-tiered, semi-stairstep batteries. Hens within pairs were of the same stock, and the batteries were in the same room. The laying phase comprised 13 28-d periods and on the first 4 d of periods 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 video recordings were made of eight cages per day. Each cage was observed on 1 d only. The levels of occurrence of a variety of behavioral states were estimated from 60 records of the behavior of each hen obtained over an 8-h interval. Head flicking was the most prevalent of its group of mutually exclusive behavioral states, followed by eating and preening. Cage pecking appeared stereotyped in many hens, but, at a frequency of 5% of observations, was not unusually prevalent. Bobbing was primarily a prelaying behavior indicative of the restlessness prior to oviposition typical of White Leghorn hens in cages. Hens were on their feet for more than 75% of the time of observation. Physical displacement of a hen by its cagemate was commonplace. Eating was negatively correlated with head flicking and preening. Walking and bobbing were positively correlated with physical displacement. Hens became less active with time in cages, possibly due to an age effect or to behavioral adaptation to the cage environment. A second trend in behavior over time may be related to changes in levels of egg production or feed consumption. Key words: Ethogram, behavior, laying hen, battery cage

scholarly journals Results of egg production in different housing systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6-1) ◽  
pp. 497-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Peric ◽  
N. Milosevic ◽  
N. Tolimir ◽  
D. Zikic
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Density ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Percentage Mortality ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Floor System

The aim of this work was to present the production results of laying hens kept in different housing systems - conventional cages with different stocking densities, enriched cages or in houses with a range. The used hybrid was Shaver 579 (564 birds). The main production parameters were monitored: No. of laid eggs, laying percentage, mortality rate, feed intake, egg weight and number of culled eggs. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by t-test. Main production parameters in production of table eggs were significantly different depending on the housing system. The best results were realized in cage system with lower housing density, and the worst results in hens housed in floor system on free range.

scholarly journals The effect of storage duration on some quality traits and composition of eggs from different housing systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Sokołowicz ◽  
Magdalena Dykiel ◽  
Anna Augustyńska-Prejsnar ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Foam Stability ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Cholesterol Content ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Storage Duration ◽  
Housing Systems

Abstract The effect of storage time at a temperature of 8°C on the direction and dynamics of changes in quality traits of eggs was investigated in shelled table eggs obtained from different egg production systems (cage system – CS, barn system – BS, free-range system – FRS). After 7, 14 and 28 d of storage, eggs from each housing system were tested for physical characteristics and for cholesterol content and fatty acid profile in the yolk. The weight of eggs from all studied housing systems declined with storage duration. The rate of weight loss was smallest in eggs from CS (P<0.05). Storage duration influenced eggshell traits but the rate and direction of these changes did not differ among the studied housing systems. Albumen height and Haugh unit score for eggs from rearing systems under study declined during storage (P<0.05). The greatest reduction of albumen height (18.85%) after the storage period was observed for CS eggs and the lowest (13.24%) for FRS eggs (P<0.05). No effect of storage duration on yolk colour intensity was observed for eggs from all the studied housing systems (P>0.05). Albumen pH increased with storage duration in eggs from all the egg production systems (P<0.05). The increase in the yolk pH during storage was the highest in FRS eggs and the lowest in the CS eggs. The storage duration of eggs from the different housing systems did not significantly influence albumen foaming capacity but adversely affected foam stability. There was no impact of storage duration of eggs from different housing systems on cholesterol content in the yolk. Eggs obtained from the different housing systems showed diverse fatty acid profiles in the yolk but this parameter did not significantly change during storage (P>0.05).

THE EFFECT OF PHASE-FEEDING ON EGG PRODUCTION AND EGG QUALITY OF WINTER-HOUSED WHITE LEGHORN HENS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 887-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. CAVE ◽  
R. M. G. HAMILTON
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Variable Effect

Two experiments with nine strains of Single Comb White Leghorn hens were conducted to compare laying house performance of hens given a diet of uniform protein content or a phase-feeding diet in which protein content was reduced from 156 to 148 and then to 140 g/kg at 273 and 414, or 273 and 384 days of age. Performance criteria were egg production, feed and protein intake, egg, quality, egg weight, mortality and body weight. Phase-feeding allowed reductions of 4.2 and 4.3% in protein consumption without reducing egg production, mortality or, except in one strain, body weight. There was an increase of 0.5% in feed consumption, but feed cost was reduced by 1.3%. Phase-feeding increased Haugh units by 0.3% and decreased specific gravity of eggs in one experiment, decreased percent visibly-cracked eggs in the other experiment and had no effect on percent blood spots. Depending on strain, phase-feeding had a variable effect on egg weight in exp. 1 but had no effect in the second experiment. Key words: Phase-feeding, protein utilization, egg production, hen

scholarly journals Construction of an Affordable Open-Design Recirculating Zebrafish Housing System

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 512-518
Author(s):  
Seong Lin Teoh ◽  
Shaiful Ridzwan Bin Sapri ◽  
Mohd Rafizul Bin Mohd Yusof ◽  
Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya ◽  
Srijit Das
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Open Design ◽  
Supply Line ◽  
Drainage Line ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Fish Tanks

Recently, the zebrafish has gained in popularity as a vertebrate animal model for biomedical research. Commercial zebrafish housing systems are available and are designed to maximize stocking density of fish for a given space, but these systems are expensive and purchasing them may not be feasible for emerging laboratories with limited funding. In this article, we describe the construction of a simple and affordable recirculating zebrafish housing system. This system can be constructed in 3 working days, with materials readily available in hardware stores. The cost for construction of the system was only 3,000 MYR (750 USD). The system consists of a water reservoir, a supply line that delivers water to the shelves holding the zebrafish tanks, and a drainage line that receives water from both the supply line and the shelves containing the fish tanks and returns this water to the reservoir. This system also has a 3-stage filtration process to ensure that clean water is delivered to the zebrafish tank. The system can house up to 360 zebrafish. This low-cost housing system may make research using zebrafish feasible some laboratories.

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