Hy-Line W-36, W-98, and Brown hens lay approximately the same number of eggs/hen housed to 80 wk; however, little is known about differences in performance during heat stress (HS). Two experiments were performed. The first experiment evaluated intestinal calcium uptake (CaT), heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) liver expression, and endocrine status in the 3 strains under …
This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cage location and tier level with respect to light intensity on …
During the past decade research work has indicated that ahemeral cycles could markedly influence egg production, shell quality and egg …
Light patterns have less effect on numbers of eggs laid by current stocks than on those of forty years ago, …
1. A total of 240 Shaver White and 240 ISA Brown pullets that had been reared in multi-bird cages on …
The age at which sexual maturity occurs in layers can affect flock performance, egg size, and flock income. In this …
The chicken eye can discriminate light color, and different light wavelengths affect egg quality. In this study, we used blue …
Two experiments were conducted in successive years to determine the performance of pullets lighted at 16, 18, or 20 wk. …
Eighty Lohmann Brown layer hens were reared in floor pens fitted with perches from 1 day of age. After the peak of lay (25 weeks of age), their ability to jump to and from perches in different light environments was assessed in two experiments using digital video techniques that allowed detailed measurements of take-off, flight …
Two experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy and possible economic benefits of using environmental enrichment devices (EED) to alter the behavior of two White Leghorn strains in laying cages. The first experiement compared using EEDs with beak-trimmed (BT) and non-beak-trimmed (non-BT) birds; the second experiement compared three different cage densities with and without EEDs. …
Although the transition from cage housing to alternative systems commenced more than 20 yr ago, there is still an ongoing …
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. …
Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of beak trimmer blade temperature (BT) and age at precision beak trimming (PBT) on the performance of two commercial strains of egg layers: Babcock B300 and Hy-Line W36. The birds were housed in cages during the rearing and laying periods. In experiment 1, only feed consumption was …
The practice of beak trimming in the poultry industry occurs to prevent excessive body pecking, cannibalism, and to avoid feed wastage. To assess the welfare implications of the procedure, an emphasis of this paper has been placed on the anatomical structures that comprise the beak and mouth parts and a representation of the structures removed …