Hen performance can be affected by many interacting variables related to cage design, such as floor area, height, tier arrangement, and feeder and drinker type and placement within the cage. Likewise, features of house design such as waste management and lighting can also affect hen productivity. The influence of these design aspects on hen performance …
There is a desire by US consumers for eggs produced by hens in alternative production systems. Asthe retail shell-egg market …
These studies evaluated the bacterial level of unwashed and washed shell eggs from caged and cage-free laying hens. Hy-Line W-36 …
Microbial counts (aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp.,Staphylococcus spp., and molds and yeasts) were obtained for the …
The public perceives that the nutritional quality of eggs produced as free range is superior to that of eggs produced …
Several studies have shown a high prevalenceof keel bone deformities in commercial layinghens. The aim of this project was to assess theeffects of perch material, a vitamin D feed additive(25-hydroxyvitamin D3; HyD, DSM Nutritional Products,Basel, Switzerland), and genetics on keel bonepathology. The study consisted of 2 experiments. In the first experiment, 4,000 Lohmann Selected Leghornhens …
The environmental contamination by salmonella was examined over a 12-month period in 74 commercial layer flocks from eight farms in …
In each of five sequential trials, laying hens (56–72 wk of age) were challenged with Salmonella and Campylobacter, and 1 …
This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of a vancomycin pretreatment on the ability of marker (nalidixicacid resistant) Salmonella …
This paper assesses US resident support for mandatory labeling of animal welfare information on pork and egg products and outlines policy considerations for assessment prior to implementing any mandatory labeling policies regarding animal welfare practices. Results suggest consumers support mandatory labeling indicating use of gestation crates (stalls) and laying hen cages. Estimates suggest consumers would …
Laying hens usually select an elevated position for resting at night-time. A previous study showed that the position a hen …
The use of pasture-based systems for poultry production is growing due to consumer demand for specialty ‘natural’ and ‘welfare-friendly’ meat and eggs. This paper discusses the various meanings of the term ‘pastured poultry’ and defines the different pasture-based poultry production systems. Considerations of poultry welfare standards provided through the specific system are also discussed. Production …
The aim of the study was to compare use of nests, production performance, and egg quality in 4 designs of …
Group nests in alternative housing systems for laying hens primarily fulfil the hen’s needs for seclusion and protection. Commercial nests used in Switzerland are built according to the provisions of the Swiss Animal Welfare Legislation. However, nest types can differ in aspects, such as floor slope, that could have an impact on egg-laying behaviour. Floor …
Nest sharing under semi-natural conditions in laying hens
Low rates of nest acceptance by laying hens are a major problem in commercial poultry farming operations with aviary systems, …