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 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 Keel bone damage in laying hens reared in different production systems in Serbia

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Djukic-Stojcic ◽  
Lidija Peric ◽  
Renata Relic ◽  
Ivana Bozickovic ◽  
Vesna Rodic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Bone Damage ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Battery Cages ◽  
The Eu

The European Union in 2012 banned conventional battery cages for the welfare reasons. However, transition to new housing systems uncovered some new problems, such as keel bone damage (KBD), which also could endanger welfare of laying hens. Although KBD is a research topic which attracts a growing attention in the EU, in Serbia it is still rather unknown phenomenon, even among the scientific and professional community. This research is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of KBD in laying hens in housing systems currently existing in Serbia. The results of conducted monitoring show presence of KBD on all observed farms, except the organic one. The occurrence of KBD was at an acceptable level (from the standpoint of hen welfare) in the free-range system, enriched cages without equipment and conventional battery cages (4%, 3% and 1%, respectively), while in the fully equipped enriched cages it was high (39%). One could assume that this high prevalence of KBD in this system is a consequence of a long roosting on a metal perches.

scholarly journals DAMAGES OF THE KEEL BONE IN LAYING HENS – OVERVIEW OF THE ETIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
K. Uzunova ◽  
L. Lazarov
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Bone Damage ◽  
Industrial Complexes ◽  
Characteristic Behaviour ◽  
Unbalanced Diet ◽  
The Individual

The damages of the locomotor system and the skeletal system, in particular, are one of the major problems in the industrial poultry farming. The topic for the pathological changes in the keel bone in oviparous birds has become especially popular among scientists and researchers in recent years. The high incidence of keel bone damage (KBD) of laying hens in industrial complexes is one of the biggest welfare problems facing the industry. They lead to disturbance of the animal welfare, causing pain, limiting the ability to move and to perform the characteristic behaviour of the species. This in turn causes a decrease in productivity and unacceptably large losses not only for the individual producer but also for the whole sector. The problem with the KBD is widespread in Switzerland, Great Britain, the Nederland, Belgium, Germany, and Canada. Different genetic lines of laying hens are affected, as well as all types of breeding systems. In general, the etiological factors are reduced to three main groups – genetic predisposition, unbalanced diet and imperfections in housing systems. The causes and influencing factors of KBD remain unknown to the research community - a circumstance that seriously complicates the development of effective strategies to reduce their occurrence and severity.

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.

scholarly journals Radiographic examination of keel bone damage in living laying hens of different strains kept in two housing systems

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e0194974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beryl Katharina Eusemann ◽  
Ulrich Baulain ◽  
Lars Schrader ◽  
Christa Thöne-Reineke ◽  
Antonia Patt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Radiographic Examination ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Bone Damage ◽  
Different Strains

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 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).

scholarly journals Effect of time of oviposition on egg quality characteristics in cages and in a litter housing system

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tůmová ◽  
T. Ebeid
Keyword(s):  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Eggshell Quality

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of the time of oviposition on egg quality characteristics in two different housing systems (cages vs. litter). ISA brown hens from 20 to 64 weeks of age were housed in battery cages (550 cm<sup>2</sup>/hen, 19 526 laying hens in the house) and on deep litter (7 hen/m<sup>2</sup>, 4 652 laying hens in the house). In both houses, eggs were collected daily at three oviposition times 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Every four weeks, 90 eggs for each house (30 eggs for each oviposition time) were used for egg quality assessment. The results indicated that in cages the highest percentages (P &le; 0.001) of normal (74.47%), non-standard (0.85%) and cracked (1.80%) eggs were laid in the early morning (06:00 h). On deep litter, however, the highest percentages (P &le; 0.05) of normal sound eggs were produced at10:00 h (35.43%) and at14:00 h (33.03%). In the cage system, the heaviest eggs (63.01 g) were laid in the early morning (06:00 h) and the highest shell percentage (10.33%) was in eggs laid in the afternoon and also at 10:00 h (10.31%). On the other hand, in the litter housing system, the time of oviposition had no significant effect on egg weight and eggshell quality characteristics except for shell thickness. Morning eggs had greater shell thickness (0.398 mm) than afternoon eggs (0.390 mm). In cages and on litter, statistically significant differences in albumen height, albumen index and Haugh Units were observed between early morning eggs and afternoon eggs and data showed a pattern of relatively higher albumen quality for eggs collected in the afternoon in both systems. &nbsp;

scholarly journals Effect of housing system on the calcium requirement of laying hens and on eggshell quality

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lichovníková ◽  
L. Zeman
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Intake ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Calcium Requirement ◽  
Floor System

The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen’s tibia were evaluated. Unenriched cages (UN) (24 laying hens), enriched cages (EN) (16 laying hens) and floor system (FS) (24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production of laying hens from 19 to 66 weeks of age was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01) in the cage systems (UN 39.6 g/hen/week and EN 39.2 g/hen/week) than it was in FS (35.0 g/hen/week). Consequently, the amount of calcium deposited in the eggshells (g/hen/week) was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01) in the cage systems (14.2 and 14.0 g/hen/week) than in FS (12.6 g/hen/week). Despite of the same calcium intake of the hens housed in EN and FS the eggshell thickness (0.39 and 0.38 mm, respectively) and eggshell strength (38.04 and 36.43 N respect.) were higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01 and <I>P</I> < 0.001 respectively) in EN. The tibia breaking strength was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.05) in FS (156.6 N) in comparison with UN (92.7 N). The rate of calcium intake deposited in the eggshells was higher in the cage systems than in FS, namely by 1.7 to 8.9% depending on the age of laying hens. When determining the correct calcium requirements in the diets of laying hens, the housing system should be taken into account.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document