scholarly journals The Effect of the Type of Non-Caged Housing System, Genotype and Age on the Behaviour of Laying Hens

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2450
Author(s):  
Zofia Sokołowicz ◽  
Magdalena Dykiel ◽  
Jadwiga Topczewska ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk ◽  
Anna Augustyńska-Prejsnar
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Organic System ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Native Breed

This study investigated the welfare of laying hens in different non-caged housing systems, namely a deep-litter barn system (BS), a free-range system (FRS) and an organic system (OS). The study was conducted on 270 hens of a native breed Green-legged Partridge (Z-11) and 270 Hy-Line Brown hybrids. Visual scans were performed to record behaviour of hens. Hens were housed in groups of 30 and observed over the course of one day at 20, 36 and 56 weeks of age. Dustbathing, scratching, wing stretching, wing flapping and preening were recorded as comfort behaviours. Pecking, fighting, threatening and chasing were recorded as agonistic behaviours. The percentage of run use was higher in native hens than in commercial hens (p < 0.05). The proportion of hens exhibiting comfort behaviours housed in the FRS and OS was similar but over twice as high as in the BS (p < 0.05). In the FRS and OS, the percentage of hens displaying comfort behaviours increased with age (p < 0.05). In all the production systems, the percentage of birds displaying comfort behaviours was higher in native breed hens than in commercial breeds (p < 0.05). In the BS, the higher proportion of hens displaying an agonistic behaviour was seen more in commercial breed than in the native breed hens (p < 0.05). The percentage of birds displaying an agonistic behaviour declined with hen age, both in commercial and native breed hens.

scholarly journals Effect of housing system and age of laying hens on eggshell quality, microbial contamination, and penetration of microorganisms into eggs

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Vlčková ◽  
E. Tůmová ◽  
M. Ketta ◽  
M. Englmaierová ◽  
D. Chodová
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Number Of Microorganisms ◽  
And Storage

Hens of the laying hybrid ISA Brown were used in the study with the objective to evaluate eggshell quality, microbial contamination of eggshells, and penetration of microorganisms into the egg content in different housing systems (enriched cage: 60 hens, 10 hens per cage, 750 cm<sup>2 </sup>per hen vs free range: 60 hens, 9 hens per m<sup>2</sup>) and at different hen ages (26 vs 51 weeks) during storage time (0, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days). A significant interaction between the housing system and age was observed in egg weight and most of eggshell quality measurements. However, microbial contamination and penetration were affected mostly by the housing system and storage time. The numbers of Escherichia coli (P &lt; 0.001, 4.51 vs 2.75 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P &lt; 0.001, 2.56 vs 1.11 log cfu/eggshell), and the total number of microorganisms (P &lt; 0.001, 5.04 vs. 3.65 log cfu/eggshell) were higher in free range eggs compared to enriched cage eggs, respectively. The counts of Escherichia coli (P &lt; 0.001, 4.23 vs 2.91 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P &lt; 0.001, 2.31 vs 1.27 log cfu/eggshell) decreased with storage time. A positive correlation between the total number of pores and penetration of Escherichia coli in both housing systems was observed in the albumen. It can be concluded that the housing system and age of laying hens significantly affected eggshell quality. Microbial contamination presumably affects the penetration of microorganisms. The correlation between the number of pores and penetration is assumed to be affected by the microbial species.

scholarly journals Welfare parameters and keel bone damage in laying hens reared in different production systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Sava Spiridonovic ◽  
Mirjana Djukic-Stojcic ◽  
Lidija Peric ◽  
Marko Pajic ◽  
Slobodan Knezevic
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Bone Damage ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of housing system and the age of hens on welfare parameters and the prevalence of keel bone damage in laying hens. In this study two housing systems were evaluated: aviary system and enriched cages. From each system and age, we used 50 randomly selected hens from different cages and tiers. The results showed significant differences between systems in the type of keel bone damage. There was no significant difference in keel deviation between systems, but the higher prevalence of keel fractures was found in aviary system. In addition, significant effect of the age of hens was found on the occurrence of keel fractures. Footpad dermatitis had statistically higher occurrence in enriched cages at 62 weeks of age. Hens from aviary system had significantly better plumage score compared to hens from enriched cages but only at 42 weeks of age.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Type of Alternative Housing System, Genotype and Age of Laying Hens on Egg Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 541-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Sokołowicz ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk ◽  
Magdalena Dykiel
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Color Intensity ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Blood Spots ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
System Type ◽  
Eggshell Color

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of the type of alternative housing system, and genotype and age of laying hens on physical traits of egg shell and contents. It was demonstrated that alternative housing system type influenced egg weight and shape, and eggshell color and yolk color intensity. Eggs from free-range system were heavier and were characterized by more intense yolk color. No effect of alternative housing system type on albumen height, value of Haugh units (HU value) and presence of meat and blood spots was noted. Hen genotype had a significant effect on egg weight and eggshell color intensity in each of the alternative housing systems tested in this study. Hy-line Brown hens laid heavier eggs than hens of native breeds. Genotype was also observed to affect egg content traits (albumen height, HU values and presence of meat and blood spots). Independently of the type of alternative housing system, most blood and meat spots were noted in eggs of hens laying brown-shelled eggs, i.e. R-11 and Hy-line Brown layers. Laying hen age significantly impacted on egg weight, yolk percentage, eggshell traits (color intensity, weight, thickness and strength) and egg content traits (HU value, yolk weight and color intensity, presence of meat and blood spots). Older hens laid heavier eggs with a greater yolk percentage but with thinner eggshell.

scholarly journals Eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition in three laying hen genotypes housed in enriched cages and on litter

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ketta ◽  
E. Tumova
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
System Effect ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
System P

The objective of the present study was to compare the eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition of Lohmann Brown, Hy-Line Silver Brown, and Isa Brown layers kept in two different housing systems. The three laying hen genotypes were housed in enriched cages (100 hens, 750 cm<sup>2</sup>/hen, 10 hens/cage) and in littered pens (100 hens, 9 hens/m<sup>2</sup>, 10 hens/pen). The experiment was carried out in weeks 40–56 of hens age. Non-significant interactions of genotype and housing system for eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition were detected in this study. Egg weight was significantly affected by genotype (P ≤ 0.001) and housing system (P ≤ 0.043). The heaviest eggs were laid by Lohmann Brown, while the lightest eggs were produced by Hy-Line Silver Brown. Eggshell strength was not affected by genotype and housing system, however, genotype had a significant effect on eggshell thickness (P ≤ 0.033). Isa Brown eggs had thicker eggshells compared to Lohmann Brown and Hy-Line Silver Brown. However, a non-significant effect of housing system on eggshell thickness was observed. Eggshell percentage was significantly affected by both genotype and housing system. Genotype of laying hens had a significant effect on cuticle deposition; significantly higher cuticle deposition was observed in Lohmann Brown eggs (P ≤ 0.001). It could be concluded that genotype had a significant effect on eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition. However, the housing system effect was less important in these characteristics.

Influence of Housing Systems on Microbial Load and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolates from Eggs Produced for Human Consumption

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELENA ÁLVAREZ-FERNÁNDEZ ◽  
JESSICA DOMÍNGUEZ-RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
ROSA CAPITA ◽  
CARLOS ALONSO-CALLEJA
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Enterococcus Spp

Microbial counts (aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and molds and yeasts) were obtained for the shells of 240 table eggs in northwestern Spain. Eggs from six sources (40 samples in each) were analyzed: chicken eggs from five different housing systems (conventional battery cages, barn, free range, organic, and domestic breeding) and quail eggs (cages). A total of 120 Escherichia coli strains (20 from each source) were tested by the disk diffusion method for resistance to 12 antimicrobial drugs of veterinary and human health significance. Aerobic plate counts ranged from 1.96 ± 1.0 (barn) to 3.69 ± 0.7 (domestic) log CFU/cm2. Counts for most microbial groups differed significantly between sources. Eggs from domestic production had the highest contamination loads (P &lt; 0.05) for aerobic bacteria, Enterococcus spp., and molds and yeasts and the highest prevalence of E. coli. Twenty-three E. coli isolates (19.17%) were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, and 80.83% were resistant to one (22.50%) or more (58.33%) antimicrobials. The housing system had a significant influence (P &lt; 0.05) on the average resistance per strain, with the highest resistance in conventional cage (2.85) and barn (3.10) systems followed by free range (1.55) and quail (1.95). Eggs from organic (1.00) and domestic (0.75) production systems had the lowest resistance per strain. The highest prevalence of resistance was observed for the groups of antimicrobials more frequently used on poultry farms. Our results suggest that a relationship exists between the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli strains and the more frequent use of antimicrobials in conventional (cage, barn, and free range) than in domestic and organic chicken housing systems. Education covering good sanitary practices for handling eggs to avoid cross-contamination or inadequate cooking is needed.

scholarly journals Egg production and welfare of laying hens kept in different housing systems (conventional, enriched cage, and free range)

2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (7) ◽  
pp. 1564-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Yilmaz Dikmen ◽  
A. İpek ◽  
Ü. Şahan ◽  
M. Petek ◽  
A. Sözcü
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems

scholarly journals Effects of Housing Locations on Feather Damages of Laying Hens in a Free-Range Housing System

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 2525
Author(s):  
METIN PETEK
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Continuous Access ◽  
Free Range

This study was made to evaluate the effects of different locations of a free range housing system on feather damages of laying hens. The experimental house consisted of three different locations as closed indoor plastic slats, closed indoor litter and outdoor range area. The birds were able to move freely between the locations of the experimental house and they had continuous access to outdoor range during the day. The feather damages of the birds was evaluated with a distance scoring system at 64 weeks of age. Five area in each location of the experimental house were determined at first and then feather damages of five body parts of ten birds in each location were scored to measure plumage quality. Total feather score was defined as the sum of the scores of five body parts of the birds. Best plumage quality was measured in neck in all housing locations (P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.01) and total feather score of the birds was significantly greatest (worst) in slats (P<0.05).

Feedlot performance, carcass composition and meat quality of free-range reared pigs

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Sather ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
A. L. Schaefer ◽  
J. Colyn ◽  
W. M. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Wholesale Price ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Key Words Animal ◽  
Potential Benefits

The effects of the housing system (confinement versus free-range) and season (summer versus winter) on growth performance, carcass composition and meat quality were determined from commercial pigs with known NN genotype at the halothane locus. Free-range-housed pigs reared from 25 to 105 kg required 16 ± 1.2 (SEM) more days to reach market weight compared with confinement-housed pigs. Housing did not affect feed requirements during the summer, but food consumption increased by 13.7% for free-range pigs during the winter. Confinement-reared pigs had a 0.75 ± 0.28 kg heavier commercial carcass weight than free-range-reared pigs. While there was no difference in carcass fat thickness, muscle depth was 2.4 ± 1.02 mm greater in free-range-reared pigs with increased predicted lean yield from 59.1 ± 0.24% to 59.8 ± 24%. Free-range-reared pigs had heavier butts, loins and hams, and lighter bellies, which increased their wholesale carcass value by 2.9%. Furthermore, they had greater dissected lean in the picnic (2.0%) butt (4.0%), loin (4.5%) and ham (2.0%) with no compromise to pork quality. If the wholesale price is adjusted for the increased lean content of each cut by an additive or multiplicative model, apparent value was further increased to 5.7 or 8.1%. While these results suggest a beneficial effect on carcass merit when rearing hogs in outdoor facilities, they further suggest potential benefits to carcass grading using developing technologies that recognize differences in carcass conformation. Key words: Animal ethics, Landrace, carcass value, housing systems

scholarly journals Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenauslaufhaltung

2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-336
Author(s):  
M. H. Zeitler-Feicht ◽  
V. Prantner
Keyword(s):  
Social Rank ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
The Other ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Lower Rank ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
Higher Rank ◽  
The One

Abstract. Titel of the paper: Recumbence resting behaviour of horses in loose housing Systems with open yards Recumbence resting behaviour was investigated in 48 horses in four loose housing Systems with open yards subdivided in areas for feeding, recumbence and for free range. Continuous observations were made for each loose housing system on three independent days during a 24-hr period. In all housing Systems the horses chose exclusively the area of recumbence to rest in sternal or lateral position. On the one hand the dimension of the area of recumbence influenced we recumbence resting behaviour. In the fourth housing system the insufftcient recumbence area reduced the resting time. At the other hand the time of recumbence was dependent on social rank. The animals with lower rank showed a significant shorter recumbence time than the horses with higher rank. However the frequency of recumbence was similar in all horses independent of stable, social rank and age. The results clearly show, that the dimension of the area of recumbence as the only parameter is not enough to satisfy the demand of recumbence in all horses.

scholarly journals 4. Quality of Poultry Meat from Native Chicken Breeds – A Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Sokołowicz ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk ◽  
Sylwester Świątkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Body ◽  
Poultry Meat ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Native Breed

Abstract The objective of the paper was to demonstrate the possibilities of using Polish native breeds of chickens for the production of meat for its specific quality features in the light of worldwide researches. The object of the analysis was the quality of meat from slow-growing chickens raised in varied housing systems, including capons and poulards. The findings of studies on the quality of poultry meat from native breeds obtained from post-production cockerels and from hens in their post egg-laying stage have shown that there are chances for their use in meat production. Native breed hens can also be used as foundation material for the production of capons, poulards or international mixed breeds for purposes of extensive farming. The body weight of native breed hens, including their muscle build depend on the bird’s genotype, feeding, length of exploitation and farming system. Meat from native breed hens, raised in free-range systems has less fat, but with higher polyunsaturated fatty acids in their meat muscles as well as a healthier ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA acids. Outdoor free-range access influences the meat colour, i.e., bright coloured breast muscle (L*) as well as increased intensity of red coloration of leg muscles (b*). Caponisation of hens enhances intensified body weight gains along with increased fattening of meat. In comparison with cockerel meat, the meat of capons is more juicy, tender and of better taste, while poulard meat has distinctively favourable sensory values in comparison with broiler chicken meat.

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