Regmi et al, 2015 – Effect of rearing environment on bone growth of pullets
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Maro Ibarburu, Associate Scientist & Business Analyst, Egg Industry Center, Iowa State University
To determine the prevalence of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis in eggs in South Korea, we conducted a microbiological survey of commercially available eggs produced in conventional or organic farms during the period from 2010 to 2012. The contents of 7,000 raw shell eggs (6,000 of conventional and 1,000 of organic origin) were examined to evaluate the extent …
The neuroendocrine system controls animals’ adaptability to their environments by releasing psychotropic compounds such as catecholamines [epinephrine (EP), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA)], corticosterone (CORT), and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT). Changes of these neuroendocrine compounds have been used as biomarkers of animals’ stress responses associated with their well-being. Assuming that pullets, like laying hens, are …
The aim of this trial was to determine the influence of aerial perches on welfare and production parameters in free-range laying hens. Five commercial free-range houses, each containing between 7000 and 8000 birds, were used. Each house and range area was split in half to create two treatments. In half of the house the birds …
Provision of perches in cages could improve behaviour and physical conditions of layinghens. This study was conducted to investigate the choice of perch characteristics (shape, width, material and height) by caged hens under different group size, and to understand the choice by the perching behaviours of hens. This study was consisted of four trials: perch …
In a two-year experiment, we investigated the influence of sward plant species composition (sward type), stocking duration and state of sward degradation on the foraging behaviour of chickens. Laying hens (ISA Warren) were pastured on 15 sward types including 14 mono-cultures of grassland plant species (nine grasses and five forb species) and one mixed sward …
In small-group furnished cages with nests lined with artificial turf, a high use of nest and acceptable egg quality are generally achieved. However, artificial turf has drawbacks, such as not letting manure through and not being cleanable in position. Therefore, a more perforated nest-lining material would be preferable given that nest acceptance and egg quality …
The United Egg Producers husbandry guidelines for cages recommend a minimum of 432 to 555 cm² (67 to 86 in.²) of usable space/hen, defined as floor space that is of sufficient height for hens to stand upright. Because there is neither a quantitative value given for cage height nor an established method for calculating usable …
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cage density on laying hen performance, egg quality parameters, blood indices, and excreta mineral concentration. Eighty White Leghorns were housed at 4 cage densities of 2,000, 1,000, 667, and 500 cm² per hen, corresponding to 1, 2, 3, and 4 hens per cage. Throughout the study, …
Eggs are an increasingly significant source of protein for human consumption, and the global poultry industry is the single fastest-growing livestock sector. In the context of international concern for food security and feeding an increasingly affluent human population, the contribution to global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from animal protein production is of critical interest. We calculated …
Agricultural workers, and pig and poultry farmers in particular, are exposed to airborne contaminants including organic dusts, gases, fungi, bacteria, and endotoxins that can have adverse effects on their respiratory health. To date, data comparing the aerial dust concentrations in the different hen-housing systems used by commercial poultry farmers are scarce. An epidemiological study was …
Upcoming nesting behaviour traits, such as the exact oviposition time or the time spent in the nest, have a direct impact on economically relevant aspects. Hens which stay for a long time in the nest box, require more nest capacity which result in the higher investments for the farmer. This is simialr to flocks in …
The performances of adult laying hens, housed in either a basic or an enriched pen, were investigated in a cognitive bias and an anticipation test. Both tests were designed to measure the assumed emotional state of the birds. The behaviour of birds in each test was compared to see whether both tests provided similar evidence …
This study reviews all attributes of feed-food competition and enforced-demands of food of animal origin with the aim of delivering …