Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens
ABSTRACT Background This study was designed to investigate the effects of different housing systems on production performance, egg quality and welfare in laying hens. Methods One hundred and twenty 42‐week‐old “Atak S” laying hens, purchased from a manufacturing company, were randomly assigned to 4...
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Wiley
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70112 |
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| author | Mert Erek Erdal Matur |
| author_facet | Mert Erek Erdal Matur |
| author_sort | Mert Erek |
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| description | ABSTRACT Background This study was designed to investigate the effects of different housing systems on production performance, egg quality and welfare in laying hens. Methods One hundred and twenty 42‐week‐old “Atak S” laying hens, purchased from a manufacturing company, were randomly assigned to 4 housing systems: conventional cages, furnished cages, deep‐litter system and free‐range. Each system housed 30 hens, which were kept in these systems for 6 weeks. Parameters regarding production performance, egg quality, plumage condition scores and tonic immobility were assessed at the end of the housing period. Results Egg production and egg mass were lower in cage‐free rearing systems than in caged systems. Mean egg weight in free‐range hens, and albumen height and Haugh unit in deep‐litter hens, were lower than in other housing systems. Eggshell weight in hens housed in furnished cages was greater than in free‐range hens, while eggshell strength was better compared to that of hens in conventional cages. The housing system did not impact fearfulness; however, the deep‐litter housing increased the sensitivity to touch or capture. Whole body and regional plumage condition scores of free‐range hens elicited more favourable results than those kept in conventional cages. Because the plumage condition indicates welfare, the results proved the superiority of free‐range over conventional rearing regarding welfare. Conclusions Concerning the parameters, such as egg production, animal welfare and fear level, overall data revealed the pros and cons of all housing systems investigated. We consider that this study's findings might contribute to the researchers and breeders seeking alternative housing for laying hens. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ab1f89a166374873b69a4326f32877a2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2053-1095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Veterinary Medicine and Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-ab1f89a166374873b69a4326f32877a22025-01-20T17:16:45ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952024-11-01106n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70112Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying HensMert Erek0Erdal Matur1Department of Physiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Van Yuzuncu Yil University Van TurkeyDepartment of Physiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa Istanbul TurkeyABSTRACT Background This study was designed to investigate the effects of different housing systems on production performance, egg quality and welfare in laying hens. Methods One hundred and twenty 42‐week‐old “Atak S” laying hens, purchased from a manufacturing company, were randomly assigned to 4 housing systems: conventional cages, furnished cages, deep‐litter system and free‐range. Each system housed 30 hens, which were kept in these systems for 6 weeks. Parameters regarding production performance, egg quality, plumage condition scores and tonic immobility were assessed at the end of the housing period. Results Egg production and egg mass were lower in cage‐free rearing systems than in caged systems. Mean egg weight in free‐range hens, and albumen height and Haugh unit in deep‐litter hens, were lower than in other housing systems. Eggshell weight in hens housed in furnished cages was greater than in free‐range hens, while eggshell strength was better compared to that of hens in conventional cages. The housing system did not impact fearfulness; however, the deep‐litter housing increased the sensitivity to touch or capture. Whole body and regional plumage condition scores of free‐range hens elicited more favourable results than those kept in conventional cages. Because the plumage condition indicates welfare, the results proved the superiority of free‐range over conventional rearing regarding welfare. Conclusions Concerning the parameters, such as egg production, animal welfare and fear level, overall data revealed the pros and cons of all housing systems investigated. We consider that this study's findings might contribute to the researchers and breeders seeking alternative housing for laying hens.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70112housing systemslaying hensplumage condition scoresproduction performancetonic immobility |
| spellingShingle | Mert Erek Erdal Matur Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens Veterinary Medicine and Science housing systems laying hens plumage condition scores production performance tonic immobility |
| title | Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens |
| title_full | Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens |
| title_short | Effects of Housing Systems on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Tonic Immobility and Feather Score in Laying Hens |
| title_sort | effects of housing systems on production performance egg quality tonic immobility and feather score in laying hens |
| topic | housing systems laying hens plumage condition scores production performance tonic immobility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70112 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT merterek effectsofhousingsystemsonproductionperformanceeggqualitytonicimmobilityandfeatherscoreinlayinghens AT erdalmatur effectsofhousingsystemsonproductionperformanceeggqualitytonicimmobilityandfeatherscoreinlayinghens |