Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390256
Research Project: Reducing Pathogen Contamination Risks and Improving Quality Attributes of Eggs and Egg Products through Housing System Management and Egg Handling Practices

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: Cage free housing for laying hens: floor substrate provided during rearing influences body condition and welfare parameters

Author
item ERASMUS, MARISA - Purdue University
item SCOLES, KAILYNN - Purdue University
item DONG, YIRU - Purdue University
item KARCHER, DARRIN - Purdue University
item Jones, Deana
item CAMPBELL, DANA - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item NI, JIQIN - Purdue University

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2022
Publication Date: 7/1/2023
Citation: Erasmus, M., Scoles, K., Dong, Y., Karcher, D., Jones, D.R., Campbell, D., Ni, J. 2023. Cage free housing for laying hens: floor substrate provided during rearing influences body condition and welfare parameters. Proceedings of American Association of Avian Pathologists Annual Meeting, p. 65 (Abstr).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The US is transitioning from caged to cage free housing systems for egg laying hens. Many cage free systems are litter-based, providing hens with behavioral opportunities such as dustbathing. However, air quality is poorer in litter-based systems due to higher levels of dust and ammonia. One possible solution is to use artificial turf, but this might influence hen welfare. Further, hen behavior and welfare are influenced by the early rearing environment: birds develop preferences for substrates that they were exposed to during rearing. This study is the first in a series designed to examine the influence of flooring type on pullet and subsequent hen welfare. Two trials (T1 and T2) were conducted to examine AstroTurf® (AT) and wood shavings (SH) in brown (T1) and white (T2) pullets. Birds were randomly assigned to 4 AT and 4 SH cage free rooms. Welfare parameters (footpad and feather condition, and keel bone damage) were scored for 20% of pullets at 12 and 17 weeks (T1) and at 11 and 15 weeks (T2). Results indicated that bird type, age, and flooring type influenced condition of the feathers, footpads and keels. Regardless of flooring, feather damage was more prevalent at the earlier than the later timepoint in both trials, keel damage was more prevalent later on, and footpad condition of AT pullets improved over time. In summary, flooring type has implications for pullet condition: AT is associated with a higher incidence of feather damage, whereas SH is associated with a higher incidence of keel damage in brown birds and keel tip fractures in white birds closer to laying age. These results can guide decisions about the appropriateness of different flooring types for cage free pullets. The implications of the rearing environment for hen welfare during the laying phase will be discussed further at the meeting.