The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate assocations between vent pecking (VP) and management in laying hens in alternative systems and to compare the results with those from the feather pecking (FP) analysis using data collection in the same study [Vet. Rec. 147 (2000) 233]. The data were derived from a postal questionnaire …
Measurements of the heterophil:lymphocyte (H/L) ratio (invasive technique) and corticosterone in yolk and albumen (noninvasive techniques) were used to measure stress in 3 commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H&N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a noncommercial cross (CR) between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female), kept in conventional cages or …
1. Over twelve 28-d laying periods (almost one year), 272 laying hens of the Lohmann Silver strain, individually tagged with transponders, were monitored on their ranging behaviour and laying performance in an aviary system with an adjacent winter garden. 2. From laying periods 1 to 12, the daily frequency of passages between the barn and …
Tests assessing the fear of humans by measuring avoidance or approach reactions of the test animals towards humans can be useful tools in welfare assessment schemes. In this study, we wanted to compare tests assessing the reactions of laying hens towards humans in the home environment to a test performed in a novel environment. As …
1. Physiological and behavioural measures of stress in caged hens on a commercial farm were compared between White Leghorn and brown Hyline strains, and between three tiers of cages. 2. Blood and faecal samples were collected from undisturbed birds for corticosterone measurements. Plasma corticosterone responses to a stressor were measured by the collection of blood …
An observational study was carried out to investigate the level and variation of water input through fresh droppings to the litter in a tiered wire floor aviary housing system from 17 to 30 weeks of age of the hens. The mass balances of droppings (all excreta), manure on the belts and litter on the floor …
Experimental research was carried out with laying hens of 47-60 weeks of age to validate a physical model of the evaporation rate of water from litter in a tiered wire floor aviary system. Variation of the evaporation rate of water from the litter was achieved by varying air velocities above the litter between 0.07 and …
The effects of a litter drying system are reported on the composition of the litter and the emission of ammonia from a tiered wire floor aviary housing system for laying hens. Air velocities above the litter, a mixture of droppings and sand, were increased by means of air that was sucked from the top of …
Ammonia emission and nutrient load in outdoor runs oflaying hens were measured at a commercial farm with an outdoor run …
The study was composed of 480 hens housed in furnished 8-hen cages or in conventional 4-hen cages from 17 to …
With the introduction of alternative housing systems for laying hens in the EU, recent research has focussed on the bacterial …
1. The influence of housing system on the initial bacterial contamination of the eggshell was studied. Two long-term experiments were …
1. The hygienic properties of eggs produced in two designs of furnished cage were investigated and compared to two standard …
1. Conventional cages are to be replaced by furnished cages or aviary systems to improve the welfare of hens. We compared the performance and egg quality of hens reared in two designs of furnished cages and of two standard cages. We also explored the consequences of the absence of beak trimming when using these designs. …
1. Mortality and causes of death were recorded over two trials with 13 045 Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL, white layer strain) and 4410 Lohmann Brown (LB) laying hens kept in furnished small group housing systems and furnished cages. In trial 1, hens were housed from weeks 19 to 71 (LSL) and 17 to 69 (LB). …
1. Tibia and humerus breaking strength of Lohmann Silver hybrids kept in conventional cages, furnished cages and an aviary with …
Limited opportunity for movement and load-bearing exercise for conventionally caged laying hens leads to bone loss and increased susceptibility to …
Report by Tina M. Widowski, Paul H. Hemsworth, Grahame J. Coleman, Michele Guerrin, Laura Dysart and John L. Barnett.