Laying hens in large flocks in a perchery system: Influence of stocking density on location, use of resources and behaviour

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. L. CARMICHAEL ◽  
W. WALKER ◽  
B. O. HUGHES
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Use Of Resources

The behaviour of laying hens housed in the perchery system

1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 ◽  
pp. 172-172
Author(s):  
A Gebreyes ◽  
W Michie ◽  
A M Petchey
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
System A ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Battery Cages ◽  
Environmental Temperatures

The perchery (barn) design for laying hens utilises the vertical space within a building which is occupied by the perches, slatted sections with feeders and drinkers all at several levels. There are also dust bathing areas and roll-away nest boxes. This arrangement allows the stocking density to be increased to 17 birds/m2. Consequently, capital costs are reduced and optimum environmental temperatures can be achieved. These two considerations give this system a marked advantage when compared with a deep litter system. The perchery system also gives the hens freedom of movement and allows them to exhibit their natural behaviours, such as wing stretching, dust bathing and nesting. Thereby, overcoming the objections made to housing hens in battery cages. This study was done to determine the use of resources within the perchery by laying hens and to compare their body condition at the end of the laying period.

Eimeriainfections in litter-based, high stocking density systems for loose-housed laying hens in Sweden

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lunden ◽  
P. Thebo ◽  
S. Gunnarsson ◽  
P. Hooshmand-Rad ◽  
R. Tauson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density

scholarly journals Dietary Germinated Paddy Rice and Stocking Density Affect Egg Performance, Serum Biochemical Properties, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Response of Laying Hens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Proteomes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Tossaporn Incharoen ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
Wirot Likittrakulwong
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Protein Profile ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transcriptomic Response

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m2/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m2/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers.

Relation between social order and use of resources in small and large furnished cages for laying hens

2008 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Shimmura ◽  
T. Azuma ◽  
S. Hirahara ◽  
Y. Eguchi ◽  
K. Uetake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Order ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Use Of Resources

Abstract # 4273 Stocking density during rearing affects the immune system of laying hens

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
T.M. Hofmann ◽  
S.S. Schmucker ◽  
V. Stefanski
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density

EFFECTS OF CAGE STOCKING DENSITY ON FEEDING BEHAVIORS OF GROUP-HOUSED LAYING HENS

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Cook ◽  
H. Xin ◽  
D. Nettleton
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Feeding Behaviors

scholarly journals The effects of space allowance on egg yield, egg quality and plumage condition of laying hens in battery cages

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sarica ◽  
S. Boga ◽  
U.S. Yamak
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Battery Cages ◽  
And Performance

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for <I>ad libitum</I>. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm<sup>2</sup> and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen compared to the other densities (<I>P</I> < 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> and 1 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.

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