Litter Use in an Aviary Laying Hen Housing System

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica D. Jenkins ◽  
Rebecca L. Parsons ◽  
Morgan Hayes ◽  
Hongwei Xin ◽  
Suzanne T. Millman
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hen ◽  
Housing System

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 Housing system and laying hen strain impacts on egg microbiology

2013 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 2221-2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Jones ◽  
K.E. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hen ◽  
Housing System

Yearly emission factors of ammonia and particulate matter from three laying-hen housing systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria Costa ◽  
Sara Ferrari ◽  
Marcella Guarino
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Suspended Particles ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Pm10 Concentration ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Ammonia Emission ◽  
Total Suspended Particles ◽  
Reduction Efficiency

The aim of the present study was to measure the concentration of ammonia and particulate matter (PM) that passes through a size‐selective inlet with a 50% cut‐off at 10-μm aerodynamic-equivalent diameter (PM10) and emissions into atmosphere in the following three types of laying-hen houses: traditional battery cages with aerated open-manure storage (BSP) and two best available technique (BAT) housing types, namely, an aviary-system housing (ASH) and a vertical tiered cage with manure belts and forced-air drying (VTC). Measurements were taken continuously for a period of 1 year in each house. Ammonia concentration was measured continuously in each house using an infrared photoacoustic detector with a 15-min sampling interval. PM10 was measured continuously using a scatter light photometer, corrected by the traditional gravimetric-technique concentration to lower the measurement error. The same instrument was also used to collect PM10 through a traditional gravimetric technique. This procedure was performed to adjust the particulate matter-specific gravity of PM that is typical and specific for every animal house. PM10 and ammonia measurements were carried out together with measurements of inside and outside temperature, inside and outside relative humidity and ventilation rate. For the high PM10 concentrations measured in the ASH house during a preliminary survey, concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP) and fine PM (particles <2.5 microns) were also measured to evaluate the dustiness in the building during the working hours. The ammonia concentration was 5.37 mg/m3 in the traditional BSP house (the reference for cage-housing system), 4.95 mg/m3 in the VTC and 3.85 mg/m3 in the ASH. The ammonia-emission factors were 15.445 mg/h.hen place (0.135 kg/year.hen place) for BSP, 8.258 mg/h.hen place (0.072 kg/year.hen place) for VTC, and 23.704 mg/h.hen place (0.208 kg/year.hen place) for ASH. Ammonia emission-reduction efficiency of VTC v. the BSP was 53%, according to thresholds assessed by Integrated Prevention Pollution Control. The ammonia-reduction efficiency of ASH v. that of the standard Reference Housing system for non-cage housing was 68%. Average yearly PM10 concentration was remarkably higher in the ASH, with 0.215 mg/m3 v. 0.108 mg/m3 for the VTC and 0.094 mg/m3 for BSP. In the ASH, the concentration of total suspended particles (TSP) was 0.444 mg/m3 and that of PM2.5 was 0.032 mg/m3. In this facility, a great variation of PM10 concentration occurred in the morning hours. Recorded values for the PM10 emission were 0.433 mg/h.hen for BSP and 0.081 mg/h.hen for VTC, while the ASH showed the highest PM10 emission (1.230 mg/h.hen), with clear peaks occurring in the morning hours during daily farming operations.

scholarly journals Characterisation of the Mycobiota on the Shell Surface of Table Eggs Acquired from Different Egg-Laying Hen Breeding Systems

Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Tomczyk ◽  
Łukasz Stępień ◽  
Monika Urbaniak ◽  
Tomasz Szablewski ◽  
Renata Cegielska-Radziejewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Pathogenic Species ◽  
Microscopic Fungi

Microbial safety is an important factor contributing to the egg quality. During egg acquisition, there is significant risk of contamination of the eggshell surface with microscopic fungi. Mycelial hyphae may grow on the eggshell surface and penetrate into the egg content. However, there is no information on the populations of microscopic fungi on the eggshell surface and, consequently, on possible production of mycotoxins. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify the species of microscopic fungi present on the eggshell surface acquired from different breeding systems and to measure the number of selected mycotoxins. The qualitative analysis resulted in the identification of 41 isolates on the surface of eggs. There were 7 isolates from the organic production system, 11 from the free-range production system, 14 from the deep litter indoor housing system and 9 from the cage farming production system. The research proved that the diversification in the population of mycobiota on the eggshells depended on the egg-laying hen breeding system. The microscopic fungi isolated from the eggshells included toxigenic and pathogenic species such as Fusarium culmorum and F. equiseti. As the egg storage time increased, fungi, including the pathogenic species, penetrated through the eggshells. In consequence, mycotoxins were identified in the egg whites. Type-A and type-B trichothecenes were found in the eggshell samples containing F. culmorum.

scholarly journals Edible Environmental Enrichments in Littered Housing Systems: Do Their Effects on Integument Condition Differ Between Commercial Laying Hen Strains?

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Ruben Schreiter ◽  
Klaus Damme ◽  
Markus Freick
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Skin Injuries ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Reduced Body ◽  
Practical Recommendations

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of additional enrichment materials (EMs; pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on the occurrence of plumage damage, skin injuries, and toe injuries, with an emphasis on the possible differences between commercial hybrid strains of laying hens. During rearing (weeks 1–18, 16 compartments, 4000 pullets) and laying periods (weeks 21–72, 24 compartments, 2808 hens) in a littered housing system, EMs were permanently provided to the study groups (EXP), while control groups (CON) did not receive additional EM. In a two-factorial study design (two groups with four strains) with 351 hens per variant, the brown egg-laying Lohmann Brown classic (LB) and Bovans Brown (BB) strains as well as the white egg-laying Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic (LSL) and Dekalb White (DW) strains were investigated. Compared to the CON, the EXP showed reduced body mass during rearing (p < 0.001) and reduced albumen consistency in the laying period (p < 0.001). Regarding integument condition, the LSL in the EXP showed more toe injuries than in the CON (p = 0.018). Remarkably, genotype-environment interactions between strains and groups were evident (p < 0.001). In groups with an EM supply, plumage damage decreased in LB (p ≤ 0.033) and LSL (p ≤ 0.005) but increased in BB (p ≤ 0.003). Moreover, there were fewer skin injuries in LSL (p = 0.001) but more in BB (p = 0.001) in groups with access to EM. In view of the diverging effects between strains, future practical recommendations for laying hen husbandry should be strain-specific.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE CONTENT IN EGGSHELLS OF AVIAN, TURTLE, SNAIL, AND OSTRICH USING CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 244-249
Author(s):  
Inta Umbraško ◽  
Aleksandrs Petjukevičs ◽  
Anna Batjuka ◽  
Nadežda Harlamova
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Calcium Carbonate Content ◽  
Caco3 Content ◽  
Scanning Electron

In the present study, different eggs were collected and analyzed from five various animal species: European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758)), giant African land snail (Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822)), common ostrich (Struthio camelus (Linnaeus, 1758)), white, light-brown, and dark-brown laying hen (Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and European quail (Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758). The typical mineral shell mainly composed of the calcite polymorph of CaCO3 but the eggshell consists of membranes, that composed mainly of proteins. The shell quality also could be assigned by several external and internal factors such as oviposition time, animal genotype and age, housing system (for poultry), and mineral nutrition complex. The CaCO3 content was determined by the standard titration method, coz the titration could provide a reliable method for evaluation of CaCO3 content in different types of eggshells. The structural surface characterization of eggshells was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a field emission gun. In terms of chemical composition, ostrich eggshells generally did not differ much from those of laying hen, turtles, giant snails, or quail eggs, but the concentration of calcium carbonate was the highest. The average calcium carbonate content of various eggshells is between 84 and 98%. The thickness of the eggshell ranges from 0.08 to 1.89 mm, and it  is not the same over the entire surface of the egg. At the sharp end of the egg, the shell is slightly thicker than at the blunt end. The purpose of this study was to study the quantitative content of calcium carbonate in various eggshells of different animals to draw further conclusions in which animals the eggshell contains the maximum amount of biological calcium carbonate. 

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