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1.
1. Movement (frequency of changes) between inside and outside housing areas, time spent in each area, tonic immobility (TI) and differential blood cell counts were studied in relation to feather condition in laying hens of two genotypes, white (LSL) and brown (LT). 2. From 18 weeks of age, LSL and LT were kept in 4 groups of 50 birds in a poultry house with passages to a roofed scratching room and a grassland area with a stocking density of one bird/10 m2. 3. All birds had transponders to record the movements of each hen between inside and outside areas and the time spent in each area during 24 h. Feather scoring was carried out at 6 ages from 20 to 48 weeks. At 44 weeks of age, TI reactions of 40 hens (20 from each genotype) were quantified and blood smears from 20 hens (10 from each genotype) were analysed for differential leucocyte counts. 4. LSL hens moved more frequently to outdoor areas than LT hens (44.66 vs 28.78 least square/d). However, the proportion of time spent on grassland was greater in LT than in LSL hens, whereas time (%) spent by LT hens in the roofed scratching area was less than for LSI hens. 5. In LT hens TI was shorter while heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and basophilia were greater than in LSL hens. 6. Total body feather score was poorer in LSL than in LT hens. Incidence of footpad inflammation was higher in LSL than LT hens. 7. There was a positive association between TI and footpad inflammation. The percentage of time spent on grassland and feather damage were inversely correlated. 8. More movement between the areas, as in LSL hens, was positively associated with fearfulness, whereas long periods on grassland, as in LT hens, were associated with indicators of increased stress. The negative correlation between feather damage and time spent outside suggests that feather pecking risk decreases in birds attracted to grassland.  相似文献   

2.
1. Mortality and causes of death were recorded over two trials with 13045 Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL, white layer strain) and 4410 Lohmann Brown (LB) laying hens kept in furnished small group housing systems and furnished cages. In trial 1, hens were housed from weeks 19 to 71 (LSL) and 17 to 69 (LB). In trial 2, LSL hens were housed from weeks 18 to 57. 2. The hens were kept in groups of 40 and 60 in the furnished small group housing system Eurovent 625 + a-EU and in groups of 10 and 20 in the furnished cages Aviplus and Eurovent 625A-EU. 3. To investigate the possible effect on mortality of rearing the birds on litter floors or in cages, in trial 2 half of the LSL hens were reared on the floor and half in conventional cages. 4. Mortality was greater in the Eurovent furnished small group housing system (5.2%) than in the furnished cages Aviplus (4.0%) and Eurovent (4.2%). 5. Mortality was also affected by the interactions among housing system and trial, layer strain and rearing. In trial 1, more LB laying hens died in the Aviplus system than in the Eurovent group system. There was no significant difference in mortality of the LSL laying hens between housing systems in trial 1. In trial 2, mortality of the LSL hens was greater in the group housing system (hens reared on litter floors: 10.1%; hens reared in cages: 2.8%) than in the furnished cage Aviplus (hens reared on litter floors: 6.0%; hens reared in cages: 1.5%). 6. Mortality was greater in floor-reared LSL laying hens than in the LSL laying hens reared in conventional cages. 7. Group size within housing system had no significant effect on mortality. 8. The most common findings at autopsy were different types of cannibalism (65.51%), with vent cannibalism (38.57%) the most common.  相似文献   

3.
Abstract

In two experiments, a total of 4346 laying hens housed in battery cages, with three hens per cage (C), and in two aviary systems, both with tiered wire floors and litter (Lövsta with two tiers (L) and Marielund with three tiers (M)), were used for studies on production, egg quality, health, plumage and foot condition, bone strength and bird location. Three hybrids were used: Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) were kept in all three systems, Dekalb XL (DK) were kept in both aviaries and Lohmann Brown (LB) in M only. Production and feed conversion in M were inferior but not significantly different from C but significantly better than in L. Proportions of dirty eggs were significantly higher in the avaries. No significant differences were found in interior egg quality traits between keeping systems. LSL showed higher production and better feed conversion than the other hybrids and a tendency for a lower proportion of mislaid eggs. Mortality varied considerably between the aviary pens, reaching 35% in LB mainly owing to cannibalism and salpingitis. Keel bone lesions and bumble foot appeared in the aviaries, while toe pad hyperkeratosis was observed in C. Hens in aviaries had significantly stronger bones (tibia and humerus) and showed more wounds from pecks, inferior plumage condition and dirtier feet than in C. LSL had more bumble foot injuries than LB but better plumage condition than DK. The birds used the different parts in the aviaries well, especially the perches on the resting top tier during the night.  相似文献   

4.
Abstract

In two trials, production, feed consumption, mortality, egg quality and birds' live weight of a total of 2877 caged laying hens of four hybrids, Dekalb XL, Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and Shaver 288 in Trial 1 and ISA Brown and LSL in Trial 2, were studied during full production cycles. The cage designs were Get-away cages (GA) with 15 hens per cage, a special version of the “Edinburgh modified cage” called “Modified and enriched cage” (ME) with 4 ISA or 5 Leghorn hens per cage, conventional cages of metal (CO) with 4 hens per cage and conventional cages of plastic (PL) with 3 hens per cage. GA and ME included nests, perches and sandbaths. LSL produced significantly better than the other hybrids. Shaver had a significantly lower live weight than Dekalb and LSL, while ISA was significantly heavier than LSL. Production in ME was similar to that in conventional cages and, in Trial 2, birds in ME, CO and PL produced significantly better than those in GA. The highest mortality was registered in GA, where in Trial 2 it was significantly higher than in ME. GA gave a significantly higher and CO a lower proportion of cracked eggs than ME and PL. In both trials ME gave significantly lower proportions of dirty eggs than GA and in Trial 2, the lowest. Few differences between the systems were registered regarding interior egg quality. It was concluded that ME is better for production, mortality and management than GA but similar to conventional cages.  相似文献   

5.
In 2 trials, including 2,768 birds in total, 3 different perch arrangements were evaluated in furnished 8-hen cages for laying hens. The hybrids used were Lohmann Selected Leghorn and Lohmann Brown in trial 1 and Hy-Line White and Hy-Line Brown in trial 2. The furnished cages were identical in all other respects than the arrangement of perches. A perch was either fitted across the cage, providing 12 cm of perch per hen, or 2 perches were installed in a cross, implying 15 cm per hen. Although the perches arranged in a cross provided more perch per hen than the single perch fitted across the cage, perch use at night by the birds was similar or lower as compared with the single perch. Hence, the way perches are arranged in the cage may be as important as perch length itself to achieve a high use at night. Perch arrangement did not affect production, mortality, or egg quality. Compared with a conventional battery cage, also included in the trials, hygiene was inferior in the furnished cages, but there was no difference in proportions of dirty eggs. Differences in proportions of cracked eggs were found between furnished and conventional cages in 1 of the trials. However, on the whole, production, mortality, and egg quality were at similar levels in all cage models. Genotype differences were found in production traits, egg quality, hygiene, and in the use of perches and nests.  相似文献   

6.
A total of 1584 Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens were kept in 144 modified cages furnished with—perch, nest and sandbath for 5, 6, 7 or 8 hens per cage or in 162 conventional cages for 4 hens. Cage floor area was 600 cm2 per hen excluding nest and sandbath. Doors to nests and sandbaths were time monitored. Production, mortality, exterior egg quality, health, integument and the birds use of facilities were registered from 20 until 80 weeks. No effects of group size or keeping system on production or mortality were detected, but the furnished cage gave more cracked and less dirty eggs than the conventional cage. Hens in the furnished cage had better plumage condition, less toe pad hyperkeratosis, shorter claws, less rear body wounds and stronger humerus, but dirtier feet than hens in the conventional cage. Hens in the larger group sizes had the dirtiest feet. In the furnished cage, on average, 86% of all eggs were laid in the nests and 0.6% in the sandbaths. The rolling out efficiency from nests was best in the larger group sizes. During night less than 0.5% of the hens stayed in the sandbath and less than 2% stayed in the nest. Average use of perches was 28% during the day and 91% at night. Hens in the small group sizes used the sandbath most. Dust‐bathing behaviour also occurred on the wire floor.  相似文献   

7.

A small-scale experiment was conducted to examine layers' selection pattern of whole wheat (WW), protein concentrate (PC) and coarse shell meal (SM) throughout the light day. Consumption of all feed components increased prior to darkness. However, an interaction between SM and the other feed components was found (P<0.05), caused by a greater increase in SM consumption prior to darkness than WW and PC. This interaction is probably related to the requirement for calcium for eggshell formation. Energy (WW)/ Protein (PC) consumption ratio did not vary throughout the light day. In a large-scale experiment, a diet with 40% whole wheat incorporated into 3 mm pellets was compared with a complete diet, also as 3 mm pellets, but containing no whole wheat. Coarse shell meal was added in the feed trough for the experimental diet. These diets were examined in conventional 3-hens cages and two furnished cage systems. The hybrids LSL and Shaver 2000 were used. A tendency towards a lower (P=0.07) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found in the experimental diet relative to the control diet. This may be a result of a better plumage condition for birds fed the experimental diet. Weight of gizzard and gizzard contents was higher among birds on the experimental diet. Self-selection of shell meal did not affect eggshell strength and legbone strength. Birds housed in furnished cages with 16 birds per cage unit showed higher (P<0.05) feed consumption than birds housed in furnished cages with 8 hens per cage and birds housed in conventional 3-hens cages. Egg production was similar in all cage systems, except for a tendency for lower (P=0.06) egg production in the 8-hens cages in the second half of the experiment period. Plumage condition was generally poorer (P<0.05) in the furnished cages than in the conventional 3-hens cages. Fewer comb lesions were found among birds in furnished cages, which may indicate less aggression in layers housed in furnished cages compared with conventional barren 3-hens hen cages.  相似文献   

8.
1. In 2 trials the health and behaviour of a total of 3552 caged laying hens of 4 hybrids, Dekalb XL, Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and Shaver 288 in trial 1 and ISA Brown and LSL in trial 2, were studied. The cage designs were Get‐away cages (GA) with 15 hens per cage, a special version of the ‘Edinburgh modified cage’ called ‘Modified and enriched cage’ (ME) with 4 ISA or 5 Leghorn hens per cage, conventional metal cages with 4 hens per cage without (CO) and with a perch (PC) and conventional plastic cages (PL) with three hens per cage. GA and ME included nests, perches and sandbaths.

2. In the first trial two nest models were used, artificial turf and welded wire floor. In the second trial both nest models were used in GA, while all nests in ME were equipped with artificial turf. In the second trial there were 4 sandbath treatments in ME; no sandbath, sandbath (25×50 cm) first opened at 16 weeks of age, sandbath first opened at 26 weeks and double size sandbath (50 × 50 cm) first opened at 16 weeks. Hens in GA were allowed access to the sandbaths from 26 weeks.

3. At 35 and 55 weeks the best plumage condition (feather cover) was found in PL and GA but plumage condition in ME was not significantly inferior than in GA. Hens in GA had the dirtiest plumage and most bumble foot but no toe pad hyperkeratosis. Some toe pad hyperkeratosis occurred in the other systems. Most keel bone lesions were found in systems with perches. The highest mortality was registered in GA. Hens in systems with perches, sandbaths and nests had increased strength of humerus at slaughter.

4. More eggs were laid in nests with artificial turf than in welded wire floor nests. LSL hens laid larger proportions of eggs in the nests (94% and 92% in the two trials) than the other hybrids. Less than 1% of the eggs in ME and 2% in GA were laid in the sandbaths.

5. The use of perches in ME and PC was approximately 30% in the day time. At night the use was 93% in ME and 89% in PC in trial 1 and 96% in ME and 81% in PC in trial 2.

6. Hens in ME with the double sized sandbath both visited the sandbath and performed dust bathing behaviour most, followed by hens in GA, hens in ME with access to the bath from 16 weeks and last, hens in ME with access to the bath from 26 weeks.

7. It is concluded that enrichments of laying cages are used by the hens to a large  相似文献   


9.
1. A 3-year trial was carried out of cages for laying hens, occupying a full laying house. The main cage designs used were 5000 cm2 in area, 50 cm high at the rear and furnished with nests and perches. F cages had a front rollaway nest at the side, lined with artificial turf. FD cages also had a dust bath containing sand over the nest. H cages had two nest hollows at the side, one in front of the other. They were compared with conventional cages 2500 cm2 in area and 38 cm high at the rear. 2. Cages were stocked with from 4 to 8 ISA Brown hens per cage, resulting in varied allowances of area, feeder and perch per bird. No birds were beak trimmed. In F and FD cages two further treatments were applied: nests and dust baths were sometimes fitted with gates to exclude birds from dust baths in the morning and from both at night; elevated food troughs, with a lip 33 cm above the cage floor, were compared with standard troughs. 3. Management of the house was generally highly successful, with temperature control achieved by ventilation. Egg production was above breeders' standards and not significantly affected by cage design. More eggs per bird were collected when there were fewer birds per cage but food consumption also then tended to be higher. 4. The number of downgraded eggs was variable, with some tendency for more in furnished cages. Eggs laid in dust baths were often downgraded. Those laid at the back of the cage were frequently dirty because of accumulation of droppings. H nests were unsuccessful, with less than 50% of eggs laid in the nest hollows. However, up to 93% of eggs were laid in front rollaways, and few of these were downgraded. 5. Feather and foot damage were generally less in furnished than in conventional cages, greater where there were more birds per cage. With an elevated food trough there was less feather damage but more overgrowth of claws. In year 2, mortality was greater in cages with more birds. 6. Pre-laying behaviour was mostly settled in front rollaway nests. Dust baths were used more for pecking and scratching than for dust bathing. Comfort behaviour was more frequent in furnished cages than conventional, although still not frequent. Locomotion was strongly affected by number of birds per cage or by space per bird, being reduced by crowding. Most birds perched at night except in one treatment providing only 10.7 cm perch per bird. 7. Behaviour was more unrestricted and varied, and physical condition was better, in furnished than in conventional cages. However, egg production will cost more in furnished cages, partly because more eggs are downgraded. Dust baths must be fitted with gates that the birds cannot open from outside, but gates for nest boxes were found unnecessary. If a low perch is fitted it must be far enough from the back of the cage for birds to walk there. 8. Where there was less space per bird (more birds per cage) than the requirements in the 1999 European Commission Directive on laying hens, there were: fewer eggs per hen, but still above the breeders' target; lower food consumption; more feather and foot damage, but less than in conventional cages; higher mortality in one trial out of three; less freedom of movement. However, the results were still very good even with 8 birds per cage, and support the principle that furnished cages provide an acceptable way of protecting the welfare of laying hens.  相似文献   

10.
Nesting behaviour of LSL hens from a deep litter house and from a battery system was compared. Every hen was tested in one of two trial chambers containing a wire mesh floor and a nest unit with 5 nesting materials: wire mesh, perforated plastic, synthetic grass, wheat straw and oat husk. Wheat straw and oat husk were preferred as nesting materials to perforated plastic, synthetic grass and wire mesh. The results from these trials were confirmed in a deep litter house. After the nesting material, oat husk, was changed in two of 10 communal nests the hens did not accept those two nests for the trial period of two weeks and laid elsewhere. Hens of the same breed and age reared together on deep litter showed no differences in nest site selection and nesting behaviour regardless of whether they had previously been housed in a deep litter house or in cages.  相似文献   

11.
The behaviour of laying hens housed in 'welfare-improved' cages fitted with one nest per hen was investigated with manipulations of group size (two or four birds), spatial allowance excluding the nests (600 cm2 or 1200 cm2 per bird) and perch provision (presence or absence). More time was spent in the nests by birds housed at 600 cm2 than at 1200 cm2, and by birds housed in pairs than in four. Perch provision had no significant effect on time spent in the nest but resulted in reduced nest soiling by birds housed at 1200 cm2, and increased 'comfort' behaviour by some groups.  相似文献   

12.
In an experiment including 2400 layers, a diet with 40% whole oats incorporated into 3 mm pellets (experimental diet) was compared with a complete diet, also as 3 mm pellets, but containing no whole oats (control diet). These diets were examined in conventional 3-hens cages and two furnished cage systems with 8 or 16 birds per group including nest, perches and litter. The effects of diet, rearing condition and cage system on performance, plumage condition, comb lesions and rear body wounds were studied. Furthermore, the effect of feed structure on gizzard characteristics and interactions with access to litter during rearing and laying periods were examined. The hybrids LSL and Shaver 2000 were included in the experiment. Egg production was lower (P<0.05) in furnished cages than in conventional cages. No difference in plumage condition was found between diets, but a significantly poorer plumage condition (P<0.05) was observed with increasing group size. Also, the frequencies of rear body (P<0.05) wounds increased as the group sizes increased, while no such effect was observed for comb lesions. Higher (P<0.05) feed consumption was observed in furnished cages than in the conventional, causing a corresponding increase (P<0.05) in feed conversion rate (FCR). Higher (P<0.05) FCR was observed for birds fed pellets with whole oats than the control. Whole oats also increased (P<0.05) the weight of gizzard and gizzard contents. For LSL, better (P<0.05) plumage condition was found for birds reared on a deep litter floor compared to cage rearing. It was concluded that no beneficial effect of replacing high amounts of ground oats with whole oats was observed. Genotype and rearing method may interact with housing system.  相似文献   

13.
The aim was to evaluate whether pop hole width is a factor influencing the number of laying hens on the range. Eight groups of 256 birds each were kept in 8 compartments in a deep litter system. Hens could leave each compartment through two equally-sized pop holes arranged evenly along the side of each compartment. Pop hole dimensions were varied every second week in each compartment in a random order from 30, 60, 90, 120 up to 150 x 30 cm (width x height). Range per hen (10 m(2)) were provided. The number of laying hens on range was counted hourly from 07:00 to 20:00 h. Pop hole width did not significantly influence the number of laying hens on the range. Our findings show that, within the limits of the dimensions investigated, other factors are more important than pop hole dimensions.  相似文献   

14.
Free-range laying hens are able to move between the indoor house and range through exits termed pop holes. The aim of this study was to examine the proportion of the flock that used the pop holes and to identify patterns of movement throughout the flock cycle. Four flocks of free-range hens each of 1500 birds were studied. Ten per cent of each flock were tagged with RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponders and their pop hole activity studied throughout the production cycle. Within two weeks of tagging at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 weeks of age, approximately 80 per cent of the tagged birds were seen in the pop holes and 50 per cent of the tagged birds were seen on 80 per cent of the days available to them after tagging. Within the flock, subpopulations of birds could be identified: those that never ventured to the pop holes (approximately 8 per cent), those that used the pop holes very infrequently (approximately 8 per cent), those that sat in the pop holes (approximately 4 per cent), and those that used the pop holes frequently (approximately 80 per cent). There was an effect of age of the birds, time of day and daily mean temperature on pop hole usage. Additional factors affecting activity on particular days were wind speed, rainfall and hours of sunshine. The findings show that a significant proportion of the flock accesses the pop holes on a regular basis with only a very small proportion preferring to stay in the house.  相似文献   

15.
1. Limited information is available on how changes in horizontal and vertical space within enriched or furnished layer cages (as defined by Directive 1999/74/EC) influence hen behaviour. This study evaluated the effects of varying minimum cage heights and space allowances on the behaviour of laying hens housed in furnished cages. It was conducted on two flocks of medium brown hybrid hens housed in furnished cages with access to perches and nest boxes on a semi-commercial scale at ADAS Gleadthorpe. 2. Flock 1 consisted of two layer strains (ISA Brown and Babcock 380), housed at two minimum cage heights (38 and 45 cm) and 5 stocking densities between 609 and 870 cm2/bird, with 12 replicates of each of the 20 strain/cage height/stocking density treatment combinations. Stocking density was varied by varying the number of birds per cage from 10 to 7 in standard full-width cages or housing 7 hens in a narrower cage. As a consequence stocking density, group size and trough width per bird co-varied for 4 out of 5 stocking density treatments. 3. Behaviour of flock 1 was sampled at 33 to 36, 46 and 68 weeks of age. At each age one top-tier, one middle-tier and one bottom-tier cage was sampled for each treatment. 4. Few behavioural differences due to cage treatments were detected. Hens at 870 cm2 had shorter feeding bouts than hens at 609 and 762 cm2. Yawning was more common in the cages with greater cage height. 5. Video recordings of flock 1 examined cage height effects on hens' use of vertical space and provided additional data on stretching and self-maintenance activities. No differences in behaviour between 38 and 45 cm cages were found except that scratching head was more common in cages with greater cage height. 6. Flock 2 consisted of two layer strains (Shaver Brown and Hy-Line Brown), housed at 38 and 45 cm and 609, 762 and 1016 cm2/bird, with 18 replicates of each of the 12 strain/cage height/stocking density treatment combinations. Stocking density was varied by housing 10, 8 or 6 hens in standard full-width cages. Behaviour of flock 2 was sampled at 30, 48, 60 and 67 weeks from video recordings. Three cages per treatment from middle-tiers only were sampled at each age. 7. Hens housed at 609 cm2/hen had the longest mean feeding bout, greater than for hens at 762 cm2/hen but not hens at 1016 cm2/hen. More unsuccessful attempts to reach the feeder and sideways and backwards displacements from the feeder occurred at 762 and 609 cm2/hen than at 1016 cm2/hen. A maximum of 8 hens were observed feeding synchronously. 8. These results suggest that changes in horizontal and vertical space over the ranges we studied had little effect on behaviour other than feeding behaviour. Specifying a minimum useable trough space per hen, rather than calculating feeder space from total length of feeder per cage, irrespective of accessibility, might help avoid crowding at the feeder and associated disturbance of feeding bouts.  相似文献   

16.
1.?Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the suitability of an experimental laying hen genotype (SH) in organic egg production. SH had been selected over 25 generations on a low protein diet (130 g/kg) based on home grown feedstuffs. SH hens were compared with LSL (Experiment 1) and Hyline (Experiment 2) hens. The birds were kept in 12 aviary pens with access to outdoor runs.

2.?Four diets, which were different in each experiment, were used. A control diet was compared with diets based on feedstuffs supposed to be able to be grown and produced according to organic standards. The diets differed in the content of sulphur amino acids.

3.?There were no significant differences in mortality caused by diets or genotypes but an incidence of cannibalism occurred in one Hyline group fed on the diet with the lowest methionine content.

4.?Severe feather pecking of LSL birds occurred and was worst on the low protein diet. In Experiment 2, signs of feather pecking of birds on the low protein diet occurred at the end of the experiment, but there was no difference between the genotypes. There was no significant difference in number of eggs produced between diets. Egg weight was influenced by diets in both experiments and by genotype in Experiment 2. Number of misplaced eggs was higher in SH hens in both experiments. There were few significant diet × genotype interactions.

5.?The use of the outdoor area was influenced by diets and genotype in both experiments.

6.?In conclusion, diets low in methionine content influenced predominantly plumage condition and egg weight, although production of eggs by number was unaffected. The SH hen adapted well to organic conditions, as did the Hyline genotype.  相似文献   


17.
1. Conventional cages are to be replaced by furnished cages or aviary systems to improve the welfare of hens. We compared the performance and egg quality of hens reared in two designs of furnished cages and of two standard cages. We also explored the consequences of the absence of beak trimming when using these designs. 2. Hens (2028) were housed from 18 to 70 weeks of age in 108 standard cages at 6 per cage (60 cmx63.5 cm), in 96 cages at 5 per cage (59.5 cmx55.5 cm) or in two designs of furnished cage at 15 per cage (24 F15M cages and 36 F15P cages made by two manufacturers) which contained equipment varying in size and location (nests, dust baths and perches). Half of the hens were beak-trimmed in each design. 3. Mortality was low in beak-trimmed hens (<5%) but was unacceptably high in non-beak-trimmed hens due to cannibalism (>40%, 516 hens). Mortality was worse in standard cages than in furnished cages. Consequently, hen-housed egg production was significantly lowered in non-beak-trimmed hens. 4. Egg laying in beak-trimmed hens reared in furnished cages occurred mainly in the nest (80 and 84.8% in F15M and F15P) but also in the dust bath (13.3 and 9.4% in F15M and F15P) and in other parts of the cage (6.7 and 5.8% in F15M and F15P). 5. The total percentage of broken (visual observation) and hair-cracked eggs (candling) was high in the furnished cage designs (15.4 and 19.6% in F15M and F15P, respectively) compared with standard cage designs (8.1 and 12.2% in S6 and S5). This was mainly due to hair-cracked eggs, the highest percentages occurring in the nests, especially in the design with a narrow nest and no egg saver (11.1% in F15M compared to 17.6% in F15P) as a consequence of egg accumulation in the cradle and relatively low frequency of manual egg collection. 6. Eggshell quality (index and breaking strength) was only slightly influenced by cage effects so differences in egg breakage were attributable to impacts related to cage design. 7. It is concluded that beak trimming remains the most effective way to prevent cannibalism, although furnished cages with a large group of hens slightly reduced the incidence, and that further development and optimisation of furnished cages is needed to reach egg quality similar to standard cages.  相似文献   

18.
Growing consumer awareness concerning layer hen welfare has caused the egg industry to consider alternative environments for egg-laying hens. However, the time commitment for alternative care has not been researched in detail since the 1950s. In 2 experiments, we evaluated the man-hour commitment associated with 3 different environments, including range (R), cage-free (CF), and cage systems (C). Concurrently within the R and CF systems, 3 strains of birds, Hy-Line Silver Brown, Hy-Line Brown, and Barred Plymouth Rock, were examined to see if strain differences were associated with man-hours associated for care. All birds were raised within the environment they were going to be laying in at 17 wk of age, the time data collection started. The system study was a 3-factor randomized design that commenced at 17 wk, when the laying phase commenced with 8 R replicates, 24 CF replicates, and 4 C replicates. The strain study consisted of R and CF systems and 3 strains of Hy-Line Brown, Hy-Line Silver Brown, and Barred Plymouth Rock. All husbandry was provided as appropriate to the production system and in accordance with the approved animal care procedures. Time was recorded for all of the procedures done within the replicates (i.e., egg collection, feeding, and so on). The data were transformed first by man-hours per bird housed and second by man-hours per bird surviving. All time data were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS. Man-hours per hen decreased from 17 to 37 wk in all production systems. The production environment C required only 0.334 h/hen housed, which is lower as compared with either the CF at 0.486 h/hen housed or R at 1.268 h/hen housed. Strain alone did not influence man-hours; however, the strain with the poorest livability had the greatest man-hour requirement for hens surviving. This study substantiates previous findings that moving from intensive to extensive production systems will increase man-hours per hen by 3 or 4 times.  相似文献   

19.

Production, health and behaviour were studied in 648 White Leghorn hens of two strains, LSL and Shaver 288, housed in three-tier battery cages (four hens per cage, 600 cm2 per hen) with three treatments; two with a perch fitted across the cage, 17 (PB) or 24 cm (PC) from the back of the cage, respectively, and control cages without perch (NP). Introducing a perch did not significantly affect production, but PC gave more dirty eggs, and both PC and PB tended to give more cracked eggs. The perch caused inferior keel bone condition and hygiene of the cage floor and a stronger tibia. LSL hens showed higher production, better feed conversion ratio, fewer cracked eggs, better keel bone health and shorter claws than Shavers. Use of the perch averaged 25 and 90% during day and night, respectively. The perch did not significantly affect other behaviours. There were significant interactions between strain and cage design regarding laying percentage, egg weight, cracked eggs, live weight, foot- and perch hygiene, keel bone condition and toe pad hyperkeratosis.  相似文献   

20.
1. ISA Brown hens were housed in groups of 4 in cages with different designs of nest boxes provided, to determine the effects of nest box design and management on their use and on the pre‐laying behaviour shown by the birds.

2. There were 5 treatments: control (C); a wire‐floored nest box attached to the back of the cage (W); a nest box containing a fibreglass rollaway hollow (N); two rollaway nest boxes (T); a rollaway nest box, protected by a partition from the main part of the cage (P).

3. The holes in the rollaway nests in treatment N, T and P were shut initially, but the proportion of eggs laid in these nests only reached 50%. This proportion rose to over 80% when wood shavings were added daily, but fell to below 30% when rollaway holes were opened. These rollaway hollows are apparently not suitable for use in laying cages.

4. Use of nest boxes in treatment W varied between 60 and 80%. However, when pre‐laying behaviour was recorded (in 19 hens) two birds which laid in the nest boxes nevertheless showed abnormal behaviour.

5. Individual hens had on average 29 to 60% of their pre‐laying behaviour overlapped by that of others in the cage. Nesting space for at least two birds is probably necessary in a cage for 4 birds. However, in treatment T pre‐laying behaviour was disturbed by hens moving between the two boxes. This would be avoided by provision of one box big enough for two hens.

6. Soiling of hollows resulted in dirty eggs and suggested that nest boxes for laying cages may have to be provided with doors to prevent hens from roosting in them.  相似文献   


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