Genetics of tibia bone properties of crossbred commercial laying hens in different housing systems

Osteoporosis and bone fractures are a severe problem for the welfare of laying hens, with genetics and environment, such as housing system, each making substantial contributions to bone strength. In this work, we performed genetic analyses of bone strength, bone mineral density and bone composition, as well as body weight, in 860 commercial crossbred laying hens from two different companies, kept in either furnished cages or floor pens. We compared bone traits between housing systems and crossbreds, and performed a genome-wide association study of bone properties and body weight. As expected, the two housing systems produced a large difference in bone strength, with layers housed in floor pens having stronger bones. These differences were accompanied by differences in bone geometry, mineralisation and chemical composition. Genome-scans either combining or independently analysing the two housing systems revealed no genome-wide significant loci for bone breaking strength. We detected three loci for body weight that were shared between the housing systems on chromosomes 4, 6 and 27 (either genome-wide significant or suggestive when the housing systems were analysed individually) and these coincide with associations for bone length. In summary, we found substantial differences in bone strength, content and composition between hens kept in floor pens and furnished cages that could be attributed to greater physical activity in pen housing. We found little evidence for large-effect loci for bone strength in commercial crossbred hens, consistent with a highly polygenic architecture for bone strength in the production environment. The lack of consistent genetic associations between housing systems in combination with the differences in bone phenotypes support gene-by-environment interactions with housing system.

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A Retrospective Study of Dogs Infected with Ehrlichia canis from 2017-2019 in the Thonburi Area of Bangkok Province, Thailand

International Journal of Veterinary Science ◽

10.37422/ijvs/20.062 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Liver Enzymes ◽

Serum Biochemistry ◽

Ehrlichia Canis ◽

Housing System ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Mixed Breed ◽

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽

Open Housing

Ehrlichia canis is a tick-borne rickettsia. It can cause canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). Infected dogs are often reported to have changes in their blood values, such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and increased kidney function values. This study aimed to collect data that may be related to infected dogs, including age, gender, breed, weight, close-open housing system, the use of ectoparasiticides products. The sample comprised 57 infected dogs. Collecting hematology and serum biochemistry changes in comparison with the reference values of dogs detected with Ehrlichia canis from 2017-2019, Thonburi District, Bangkok, Thailand was also carried out. In summary, dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis mostly included mixed-breed dogs aged between 1 and 10 years. There were no differences in body weight or housing systems. Dogs that had never used ectoparasiticide products or used them intermittently were infected more often (by 7.14 times) than protected. Clinical hematology and serum biochemistry found anemia, thrombocytopenia, and increased liver enzymes.

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Investigation of the Morphology of Adrenal Glands in Hens Kept in Two Different Housing Systems—A Pilot Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11072124 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 2124

Author(s):

Franziska Keßler ◽

Angelika Grümpel-Schlüter ◽

Christian Looft ◽

Stefanie Petow

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Adrenal Glands ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Stress Hormones ◽

Housing Conditions ◽

Adrenal Cells ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Chronic Effects ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Interrenal Cells

It is difficult to objectively assess the chronic effects of housing systems on livestock and particularly on laying hens. However, this seems to be important in the context of animal welfare. Therefore, we conducted the present study in order to compare the effect of two different housing conditions, single cage (SC) and floor pen (FP), on the morphology of the adrenal gland. A higher amount of interrenal cells, which secrete stress hormones, can lead to a difference in the relation of adrenal and interrenal cells, which could be interpreted as an indication of chronic stress. For this purpose, adrenal glands were extracted, prepared, stained and examined by microscopy, and total area of the cut, total area of interrenal cells and total area of adrenal cells were measured. As a result, all laying hens had a higher percentage of interrenal cells than adrenal cells (FP: interrenal cells/adrenal cells = 78.37%/21.63%; SC: 80.00%/20.00%). The median of adrenal–interrenal ratio did not differ significantly (FP = 0.2503, SC = 0.2499), while the variation of the ratio between laying hens in FP and SC showed a slight tendency of a higher ratio in adrenal glands of FP (p < 0.0870). Body weight and adrenal–interrenal ratio were significantly negatively correlated in laying hens in FP (rS = −0.943, p < 0.0048) but not in SC (rS = −0.162, p = 0.7283). There was no significant correlation between body weight and total cell area for interrenal cells or adrenal cells. Body weight was significantly lower for laying hens kept in SC than for laying hens kept in FP (p < 0.0001). Due to the present results, it can be concluded that keeping laying hens in single cages can have a negative effect on body weight.

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Growth Performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared on deep litter and cages in the hot humid tropics of Southern Bénin Republic

ANIMAL PRODUCTION ◽

10.20884/1.jap.2018.20.3.674 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

Serge Alindekon ◽

Okhiomah Ahmed Abu ◽

Jacob Olaniyi Babayemi ◽

Paul Agblo ◽

Yvonne Mehouede Adjovi-boco

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Production Costs ◽

Housing System ◽

Carcass Yield ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Cage System ◽

System P ◽

Daily Water ◽

Factor Data ◽

Block Factor

The performance of male and female quails reared separately in cages and on deep litter was investigated. One hundred and eighty 3-week old quails managed for five weeks. There were three replicates per treatment with stocking densities of 120cm2/bird in cage and 180cm2/bird on deep litter and sex as a block factor. Data on weekly body weight, weight change, daily feed and water intakes, feed: gain, carcass yield and costs of production were analysed. Daily water consumed by quails between the housing systems (62.76±11.21mL/d on deep litter vs. 66.96±12.18mL/d in cage system, p>0.05) were same. However, quails housed on deep litter consumed more feed from 43-56 days of age (25.34±1.77g/d vs. 22.99±1.55g/d). Quails reared on deep litter also grew faster during the first week of that period (3.33±1.70g/d vs. 0.69±0.87g/d). However, gain in body weight was noticed from day 22 to day 49 but a sudden decline thereafter for all quails regardless of sex and housing system. Carcass yield was not affected by housing system but values for thighs, empty gizzard and liver of quails kept on deep litter were higher (respectively 12.95±0.86% vs. 11.99±0.83%, 2.12±0.18% vs. 1.84±0.20%, 2.11±0.59% vs. 1.88±0.43%; p<0.05). Production costs were the same (p>0.05) whether on deep litter (3414.30±172.95CFA/kg) or in cages (3283.43±77.72CFA/kg). However, the production cost per kilogram of carcass of male quails was lower compared to females (3205.88±138.95CFA/kg vs. 3484.35±131.57CFA/kg, respectively) regardless of the housing system. Sex and age of quails affect performance and not the type of housing system.

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

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2018-0004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 541-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

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.

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

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/75/2017-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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 cm2/hen, 10 hens/cage) and in littered pens (100 hens, 9 hens/m2, 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.

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Longitudinal study of adverse behaviour of undocked pigs in two different housing systems

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00040374 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 165-168

Author(s):

H. A. Van de Weerd ◽

C. M. Docking ◽

J .E. L. Day ◽

K. Breuer ◽

S. A. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Flow System ◽

Housing System ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Tail Biting ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time ◽

Biting Behaviour

AbstractThe development of adverse behaviour in group–housed growing/ finishing pigs with intact tails was studied in a straw–flow housing system and in a part–slatted system with a commercial enrichment object. Food intake, body weight and behaviour were monitored over the finishing period, with tail biting outbreaks defined as an occasion where three or more pigs within a group had freshly damaged tails and tail biting behaviour was ongoing. Data from the two systems were analysed to identify tail–biting outbreaks and behavioural changes over time. Levels of pig manipulation were higher in the part–slatted system. Over time, pigs in both systems showed reduced interest in the enrichment provided, but not in each other. Despite the presence of the enrichment device, tail biting occurred in all groups in the part–slatted system, but only 1/12 groups in the straw–flow system. The amount of time occupied by manipulation of the enrichment provided was very significantly higher for straw than for the commercial object. Better design of enrichment strategies is therefore needed and should be based on species–relevant requirements.

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

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122450 ◽

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.

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Layer performances, eggshell characteristics and bone strength in three different housing systems

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1304591l ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 591-606 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Lolli ◽

A. Hidalgo ◽

C. Alamprese ◽

V. Ferrante ◽

M. Rossi

Keyword(s):

Bone Strength ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Bending Test ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

European Regulation ◽

Three Point Bending ◽

Housing Systems ◽

The North ◽

Strength And Stiffness ◽

One Year

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of three different housing systems for laying hens (cages, barn and organic) on layer performances, eggshell characteristics and bone strength. In each system, the same strain of laying hens (Hyline Brown?) was housed in agreement with current European regulation and the hens were fed on the same level of nutrition (2800 ME). The study was conducted over one year period in three typical farms in the north of Italy, from the 18th to the 70th weeks of layers age. The number of eggs collected and laid on the floor were recorded weekly, as well as the mortality and the feed consumption. At 27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks of layers age, the weight and the shell characteristics of eggs from the different systems were analysed. Bone breaking strength and stiffness were determined by three point bending test. The percentage of deposition was generally higher in comparison to the standard production of Hyline hens, probably, due to a high management standard and to the production persistence. The results indicated a clear relationship between the percentage of cracked eggs and the strength characteristics of the shells, with organic eggs showing the highest shell thickness, the most resistant shell and consistently the less cracked eggs. Considering the changes that occur during the laying cycle, shell strength and thickness in non-cage eggs were highly affected by hen age, while they were much stable in cage eggs. Organic hens also showed the strongest humerous, while their tibiotarsus were as robust as those of cage hens.

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Material properties and osteoporosis

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.18239.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 1481 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eleftherios P. Paschalis ◽

Klaus Klaushofer ◽

Markus A. Hartmann

Keyword(s):

Bone Strength ◽

Material Properties ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Short Review ◽

Clinical Tool ◽

Mineral Density ◽

X Ray ◽

Bone Properties

The main clinical tool for the diagnosis and treatment of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis is the determination of bone mineral density by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Although this outcome contributes to the determination of bone strength, the clinical evidence to date suggests that it does not correlate strongly with fracture incidence. The main reason for this discrepancy is the fact that several other bone properties, such as material properties, are not taken into account. This short review summarizes the reasons why material properties are important in the determination of bone strength and briefly discusses some of them as well as their influence on bone’s mechanical performance.

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

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/77/2017-cjas ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 2) ◽

pp. 51-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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 cm2 per hen vs free range: 60 hens, 9 hens per m2) 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 < 0.001, 4.51 vs 2.75 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P < 0.001, 2.56 vs 1.11 log cfu/eggshell), and the total number of microorganisms (P < 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 < 0.001, 4.23 vs 2.91 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P < 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.

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