title: Production performance, use of nest box, and external appearance of two strains of laying hens kept in conventional and enriched cages.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in production performance, use of nest box, and external appearance of 2 strains of laying hens kept in conventional and enriched cages. Lohmann Brown Classic (LB, n=532) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW, n=532) hens were housed from 16 to 73 wk in either conventional cages or enriched cages. Enriched cages had a nesting area, scratch pad, perch, and nail shortener. Body weight (BW), hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), cracked and dirty eggs, use of nest box for lay, and external appearance were determined. Laying period influenced the hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Cage type affected the hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio, while strain affected the egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Laying period×cage type and laying period×strain interactions affected egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. Both strains preferred to lay in the nest box. Percentages of cracked and dirty eggs of LW hens in enriched cages were higher than that in conventional cages. Most of the dirty eggs laid by both strains were found outside of the nest box. The LW hens laid more dirty eggs than the LB hens. Cage type and cage type×strain interaction were important for total feather score. Final claw length was affected by cage type, strain, and cage type×strain interaction. This study suggests that cage type, strain, and also cage type×strain and period×strain interactions should be considered when alternative housing systems are used.
authors: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 06110 onbasilar@ankara.edu.tr.
authors: E E
authors: EE
authors: Onbaşılar
authors: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 06110.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Ünal
authors: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey 71450.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Erdem
authors: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 06110.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kocakaya
authors: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 06110.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Yaranoğlu
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction
keywords: Laying hens; cage; nest box use; performance; strain