- Email: [email protected]
Cage Rearing of Broilers
1194
KAUFMAN, KXOSE, BAYNE, POOL AND LINEWEAVEE
pressure. Poultry Sci. SO: 302-304. Smibert, R. M., H. M. DeVolt and J. E. Faber, Jr., 1958. A study of the bacterial flora of the respiratory system of normal chickens. Poultry Sci. 37: 159-166. Tarver, F. R., Jr., K. N. May and F. M. Boyd, of bleed time prior to scald and refrigerated storage upon bacterial counts in the axillary diverticula of the interclaricular air sac of chickens. Food Technol. 17 : 198-200. Tarver, F. R., Jr., K. N. May, and F. M. Boyd,
1962. Sampling techniques for the enumeration of micro-organisms in the diverticulum of the anterior thoracic air sac of chickens. Appl. Microbiol. 10: 137-140. Thomson, J. E., and A. W. Kotula. 1959. Contamination of the air sac areas of chicken carcasses and its relationship to scalding and method of killing. Poultry Sci. 38: 1433-1437. Timmons, D., 1970. Fowl processor now picks 'em clean using new concept in equipment. Poultry Tribune, 76(11): 24-28.
L. D . ANDREWS
Department
of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (Received for publication October 25, 1971)
ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted with broilers to ascertain the feasibility of growing broilers in cages. Broilers were reared on rice hull litter, plastic mesh and rubber covered nylon floors (RCN). Data from these experiments indicate that broilers could be grown to heavy weights under crowded conditions without an incidence of breast blisters and without any detrimental effect to body weight when RCN was used as a flooring material. There was a high incidence of breast blisters or broilers reared on the plastic mesh supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire to either 8 or 9 weeks of age. The heavier broilers developed more and larger breast blisters. Broilers reared on suspended plastic mesh displayed fewer breast blisters when compared to broilers reared on the plastic mesh supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. Body weights of broilers reared on plastic mesh or RCN at densities of 2.8 and 3.7 dm2, per broiler were equal to or heavier than body weights of broilers grown on litter. As bird density increased, the body weight of the broilers decreased. Feed efficiencies were calculated on only the first two experiments because of the apparent feed wastage when the broilers were reared in cages. POULTRY SCIENCE 51: 1194-1197, 1972
INTRODUCTION
R
EARING broilers in cages or on wire - is not new. Over 30 years ago, broilers were kept in batteries and given feed and water for a short period of time to get them to a heavier weight. Considerable research is being done at the present time concerning the rearing of broilers in cages. Advantages and disadvantages are many. One of the problems to overcome is the occurrance of breast blisters. Lloyd et al. (1970) stated that raising broilers in plastic coops was economically feasible. Reed et al. (1966) tried many
types of cage floors and found that only 1 % of the broilers had breast blisters when grown on polyester urethane strips with metal rod centers. One disadvantage of this system was the replacing of the strips after each batch of broilers. Koonz et al. (1963) suggested that breast blisters were not as great a problem when rubber pads were used on the bottom of coops. Welch et al. (1970) found breast blisters to be 68 to 91%, 55 to 82 %and 60 to 67% on broilers reared on wire floors, wood slats and plastic mesh, respectively. The purpose of this study was to evalu-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
Cage Rearing of Broilers
CAGE REARING OF BROILERS
ate some material which could be used as a floor material in cages for broilers that would eliminate the breast blister problem. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
severe breast blister with a large accumulation of fluid under the skin. The broilers were processed by a local processor and were graded by the plant inspector. Experiment 2. The same experimental procedure was followed in this experiment as in experiment 1 except that data was not obtained in the processing plant. Experiment 3. Six cages 0.76 X 1.06 m. were divided into two groups. Three cages in group 1 had plastic mesh suspended as a floor material and three cages in group 2 had a sheet of rubber covered nylon suspended as a floor material. The plastic mesh was the same material as used in experiments 1 and 2. The rubber covered nylon (RCN) was a sheet of nylon bonded on each side with a sheet of rubber. Holes 0.95 cm. in diameter were punched into this fabric every 0.64 cm. One cage from each group contained broilers at 1.9, 2.8 and 3.7 dm2, per broiler. A control group was reared on litter as in experiment 1. The rations used in this experiment were the same as used in the previous experiments. Feed was provided for the broilers through the sides of the cage from a trough which could be raised as the broilers increased in size. Water was available from an automatic hanging plastic fountain (Chore-Time). Eight-week body weights and breast blister scores of the live broilers were obtained. Nine-week body weights and breast blister scores of the live birds were obtained for only the cages allowing 2.8 and 3.7 dm2. per broiler. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiment 1. There was no significant difference (Table 1) between the body weights of the broilers reared on litter or plastic. The significant (P < 0.05) difference between the birds on plastic and litter for
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
Experiment 1. One hundred and twenty straight-run day old broiler chicks were placed in each of three pens with approximately 5 cm. of rice hull litter. These pens were 3.05 X 3.65 m. which allowed 9.3 dm.2 per broiler. Equal numbers of chicks were placed at the same time in each of three pens with a 1.27 X 1.27 cm. plastic mesh material containing no metal core. The pens with plastic mesh were 1.22 X 3.65 m. which allowed 3.7 dm2, per broiler. This plastic mesh was supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. All broilers recieved a 24% protein starter ration until 454 kilograms were fed. This starter ration contained 2301 kilocalories of productive energy per kilogram of feed, 0.73% phosphorus and 0.81% calcium. After the starter ration was consumed, the broilers were fed at 22% protein grower ration until 8 weeks of age. This grower ration contained 2392 kilocalories of productive energy per kilogram of feed, 0.71% phosphorus and 0.79% calcium. Rations were fed in feeder fiats for the first 10 days after which a round hanging feeder was used. Water was provided ad libitum utilizing a nipple watering system as described by McMaster et al. (1971). Eight-week body weights, feed efficiencies and breast blister scores of the live broilers were obtained at the termination of the expriment. Breast blisters were divided into four categories: 0, an indication that no breast blister was present; 1, a slight thickening of the skin over the keel bone which might or might not be seen by the processing plant inspector; 2, a definite breast blister condition with a slight accumulation of fluid under the skin; and 3, a
1195
1196
L.
D.
ANDREWS
TABLE 1. Body weights, feed efficiencies and breast blister scores for broilers reared on litter and plastic floored pens Live Breast Blister Score (%)
Body Weight (Grams) Floor System
Male
Female
Experiment 1 1755 Litter 1751 Plastic Experiment 2 Litter 1656 1719 Plastic
Both Sexes
Feed/Lb.1 Chicken
Male
3
Breast Blisters (Dressed Birds % )
Female
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
1402 1411
1579 1581
2.08a 2.19b
89.7 38.1
10.3 56.4
0.0 5.5
0.0 0.0
98.2 77.8
1.8 21.6
0.0 0.6
0.0 0.0
6.6 32.7
1311 1406
1484 1563
2.06» 2.19b
99.0 23.7
1.0 54.8
0.0 19.4
0.0 2.1
100.0 50.9
0.0 41.6
0.0 6.8
0.0 0.7
— —
1 Feed efficiency between litter and plastic floored pens was significantly different (P <0.05) which could be accounted for by the feed wastage in the plastic floored pens.
ciencies and breast blister incidence on live broilers were similar to those in experiment 1 (Table 1), except there was a higher incidence of breast blisters for broilers reared on plastic mesh. Experiment 3. Eight-week old broilers reared on (RCN) at 3.7 dm2, had the heaviest body weight, but this weight was not significantly different to the weight of broilers grown at 3.7 dm2, on plastic mesh or 2.8 dm2, on (RCN), (Table 2). This heavier weight produced at the 3.7 dm2. bird density on (RCN) was significantly greater (P < O.OS) than birds grown at a density of 2.8 and 1.9 dm2, on plastic mesh and those reared on (RCN) at 1.9 dm2. The lightest body weight was obtained on broilers grown at a bird density of 1.9 dm2. for both plastic mesh and (RCN). These
TABLE 2. Body weights and breast blister scores for broilers grown on litter, plastic and rubber floored pens Breast Blister Score (%)
Body Weight (Grams) Floor System
Male
Female
Both Sexes 1
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
1894
1543
171Qb,o,d
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Rubber
3.7 2.8 1.9
1708 1584 1416
1857 s 1792a.b 1556 e
100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
Plastic
3.7 2.8 1.9
1966 1810 1630
1595 1493 1384
1 7 8 1 a,b,c 1702 b '°'<' 1507 e
45.5 40.0 72.0
27.3 53.3 24.0
27.2 6.7 4.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
54.5 100.0 100.0
45.5 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
3.7 2.8
2169 2090
1831 1775
2000 1933
100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
3.7 2.8
2111 2098
1730 1671
1921 1885
27.3 13.3
45.5 46.7
9.0 40.0
18.2 0.0
45.5 80.0
27.3 6.7
27.2 13.3
0.0 0.0
9 Weeks Rubber Plastic 1
Female
Male
III
8 Weeks Litter
DM2. Per Bird
9.3
Any two averages with the same superscript are not significantly different at the 5% level of probability.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
feed efficiency may not have been a true effect. Feed wastage was quite evident in the plastic mesh floored pens. This feed wastage, which agrees with thefindingsof Deaton et al. (1970), could account for the poor feed efficiency. For future experiments with caged broilers, feeders need to be designed to eliminate feed wastage. Broilers reared on plastic mesh had a much higher incidence of breast blisters, as measured both live and dressed, than broilers reared on litter (Table 1). Over 32% of the dressed broilers reared on plastic mesh were downgraded as a result of breast blisters compared to 6.6% of the broilers reared on rice hull litter. Breast blister scores for the live broilers was in good agreement with the dressed scores. Experiment 2. Body weights, feed effi-
1197
CAGE REARING OF BROILERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Sincere appreciation is extended to the Firestone Coated Fabrics Company, Mag-
nolia, Arkansas for supplying the rubber covered nylon material and to T. L. Barton, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, for suggesting the use of this material. REFERENCES Reed, M. J., H. D. White, T. M. Huston and K. N. May, 1966. The use of different types of cage bottoms to reduce breast blisters in battery reared broilers. Poultry Sci. 45: 1418-1419. Lloyd, R. W., G. W. Chaloupka and E. W. Walpole, 1970. Plastic coop system of producing broilers. Poultry Sci. 49: 1407. Koonz, C. H., E. J. Strandini and R. E. Gray, 1963. A study of factors responsible for keel blisters in poultry. Poultry Sci. 42 : 1281. Welch, S. W., P. F. Metcalfe and R. Wesley, 1970. Broilers in cages. World's Poultry Sci. J. 27: 132-142. Deaton, J. W., F. N. Reece, J. D. May and K. N. May, 1970. Cage versus floor rearing of broilers as affected by sex and bird density. Poultry Sci. 49: 1380. McMasters, J. D., G. C. Harris, Jr. and T. L. Goodwin, 1971. Effects of nipple and trough watering systems on broiler performance. Poultry Sci. 50:432-435.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 1187) cide residues has been given to Auburn University by the Alabama Poultry Industries Association. The work is being done under the direction of Dr. R. N. Brewer, Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, in cooperation with the Alabama Pesticide Laboratory. CENTRAL SOYA NOTES Frank X. Maness, who has headed Central Soya operations at Canton, Georgia, since 1962, was appointed General Manager of the firm's turkey facility at Monroe, North Carolina. John B. Hixon will replace him as General Manager at Canton. Maness joined Central Soya in 1952 as a salesman of Master Mix animal and poultry feeds. When the Canton plant was acquired in 1962, he was named to manage that operation.
Hixon has been with Central Soya since 1963, when he joined the company's accounting department in Chattanooga. Central Soya Company, Inc., has purchased the assets of the Bonda Industrial Corporation. Bonda is a Rotterdam, Netherlands holding company whose principal assets are majority interests in livestock and poultry feed manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Canada and Morocco. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE NOTES Anthony Koss has been appointed Agricultural Marketing Sales Representative for the Chemical Division of Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. He will be responsible for the sale of bulk vitamins and drug food additives in the eastern regional states, including
(Continued on page 1214)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
two body weights were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than all other body weights. The same trends for body weights were obtained at 9 weeks. Incidence of breast blisters was influenced by cage material and bird density. The least number of blisters occurred for birds reared on (RCN) with the plastic material contributing to the greater incidence. When comparing the number of blisters within birds reared on plastic, those grown at a density of 1.9 dm2, had the lowest number of detectable blisters. This lower incidence may have been a result of the lighter weight of these birds. Broilers reared on the suspended plastic mesh in this Experiment had a lower incidence of breast blisters than those of experiment 1 when the plastic mesh was supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. This support for the plastic mesh made the floor more rigid, providing a harder surface for the broilers' keel bone.
KAUFMAN, KXOSE, BAYNE, POOL AND LINEWEAVEE
pressure. Poultry Sci. SO: 302-304. Smibert, R. M., H. M. DeVolt and J. E. Faber, Jr., 1958. A study of the bacterial flora of the respiratory system of normal chickens. Poultry Sci. 37: 159-166. Tarver, F. R., Jr., K. N. May and F. M. Boyd, of bleed time prior to scald and refrigerated storage upon bacterial counts in the axillary diverticula of the interclaricular air sac of chickens. Food Technol. 17 : 198-200. Tarver, F. R., Jr., K. N. May, and F. M. Boyd,
1962. Sampling techniques for the enumeration of micro-organisms in the diverticulum of the anterior thoracic air sac of chickens. Appl. Microbiol. 10: 137-140. Thomson, J. E., and A. W. Kotula. 1959. Contamination of the air sac areas of chicken carcasses and its relationship to scalding and method of killing. Poultry Sci. 38: 1433-1437. Timmons, D., 1970. Fowl processor now picks 'em clean using new concept in equipment. Poultry Tribune, 76(11): 24-28.
L. D . ANDREWS
Department
of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (Received for publication October 25, 1971)
ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted with broilers to ascertain the feasibility of growing broilers in cages. Broilers were reared on rice hull litter, plastic mesh and rubber covered nylon floors (RCN). Data from these experiments indicate that broilers could be grown to heavy weights under crowded conditions without an incidence of breast blisters and without any detrimental effect to body weight when RCN was used as a flooring material. There was a high incidence of breast blisters or broilers reared on the plastic mesh supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire to either 8 or 9 weeks of age. The heavier broilers developed more and larger breast blisters. Broilers reared on suspended plastic mesh displayed fewer breast blisters when compared to broilers reared on the plastic mesh supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. Body weights of broilers reared on plastic mesh or RCN at densities of 2.8 and 3.7 dm2, per broiler were equal to or heavier than body weights of broilers grown on litter. As bird density increased, the body weight of the broilers decreased. Feed efficiencies were calculated on only the first two experiments because of the apparent feed wastage when the broilers were reared in cages. POULTRY SCIENCE 51: 1194-1197, 1972
INTRODUCTION
R
EARING broilers in cages or on wire - is not new. Over 30 years ago, broilers were kept in batteries and given feed and water for a short period of time to get them to a heavier weight. Considerable research is being done at the present time concerning the rearing of broilers in cages. Advantages and disadvantages are many. One of the problems to overcome is the occurrance of breast blisters. Lloyd et al. (1970) stated that raising broilers in plastic coops was economically feasible. Reed et al. (1966) tried many
types of cage floors and found that only 1 % of the broilers had breast blisters when grown on polyester urethane strips with metal rod centers. One disadvantage of this system was the replacing of the strips after each batch of broilers. Koonz et al. (1963) suggested that breast blisters were not as great a problem when rubber pads were used on the bottom of coops. Welch et al. (1970) found breast blisters to be 68 to 91%, 55 to 82 %and 60 to 67% on broilers reared on wire floors, wood slats and plastic mesh, respectively. The purpose of this study was to evalu-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
Cage Rearing of Broilers
CAGE REARING OF BROILERS
ate some material which could be used as a floor material in cages for broilers that would eliminate the breast blister problem. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
severe breast blister with a large accumulation of fluid under the skin. The broilers were processed by a local processor and were graded by the plant inspector. Experiment 2. The same experimental procedure was followed in this experiment as in experiment 1 except that data was not obtained in the processing plant. Experiment 3. Six cages 0.76 X 1.06 m. were divided into two groups. Three cages in group 1 had plastic mesh suspended as a floor material and three cages in group 2 had a sheet of rubber covered nylon suspended as a floor material. The plastic mesh was the same material as used in experiments 1 and 2. The rubber covered nylon (RCN) was a sheet of nylon bonded on each side with a sheet of rubber. Holes 0.95 cm. in diameter were punched into this fabric every 0.64 cm. One cage from each group contained broilers at 1.9, 2.8 and 3.7 dm2, per broiler. A control group was reared on litter as in experiment 1. The rations used in this experiment were the same as used in the previous experiments. Feed was provided for the broilers through the sides of the cage from a trough which could be raised as the broilers increased in size. Water was available from an automatic hanging plastic fountain (Chore-Time). Eight-week body weights and breast blister scores of the live broilers were obtained. Nine-week body weights and breast blister scores of the live birds were obtained for only the cages allowing 2.8 and 3.7 dm2. per broiler. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Experiment 1. There was no significant difference (Table 1) between the body weights of the broilers reared on litter or plastic. The significant (P < 0.05) difference between the birds on plastic and litter for
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
Experiment 1. One hundred and twenty straight-run day old broiler chicks were placed in each of three pens with approximately 5 cm. of rice hull litter. These pens were 3.05 X 3.65 m. which allowed 9.3 dm.2 per broiler. Equal numbers of chicks were placed at the same time in each of three pens with a 1.27 X 1.27 cm. plastic mesh material containing no metal core. The pens with plastic mesh were 1.22 X 3.65 m. which allowed 3.7 dm2, per broiler. This plastic mesh was supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. All broilers recieved a 24% protein starter ration until 454 kilograms were fed. This starter ration contained 2301 kilocalories of productive energy per kilogram of feed, 0.73% phosphorus and 0.81% calcium. After the starter ration was consumed, the broilers were fed at 22% protein grower ration until 8 weeks of age. This grower ration contained 2392 kilocalories of productive energy per kilogram of feed, 0.71% phosphorus and 0.79% calcium. Rations were fed in feeder fiats for the first 10 days after which a round hanging feeder was used. Water was provided ad libitum utilizing a nipple watering system as described by McMaster et al. (1971). Eight-week body weights, feed efficiencies and breast blister scores of the live broilers were obtained at the termination of the expriment. Breast blisters were divided into four categories: 0, an indication that no breast blister was present; 1, a slight thickening of the skin over the keel bone which might or might not be seen by the processing plant inspector; 2, a definite breast blister condition with a slight accumulation of fluid under the skin; and 3, a
1195
1196
L.
D.
ANDREWS
TABLE 1. Body weights, feed efficiencies and breast blister scores for broilers reared on litter and plastic floored pens Live Breast Blister Score (%)
Body Weight (Grams) Floor System
Male
Female
Experiment 1 1755 Litter 1751 Plastic Experiment 2 Litter 1656 1719 Plastic
Both Sexes
Feed/Lb.1 Chicken
Male
3
Breast Blisters (Dressed Birds % )
Female
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
1402 1411
1579 1581
2.08a 2.19b
89.7 38.1
10.3 56.4
0.0 5.5
0.0 0.0
98.2 77.8
1.8 21.6
0.0 0.6
0.0 0.0
6.6 32.7
1311 1406
1484 1563
2.06» 2.19b
99.0 23.7
1.0 54.8
0.0 19.4
0.0 2.1
100.0 50.9
0.0 41.6
0.0 6.8
0.0 0.7
— —
1 Feed efficiency between litter and plastic floored pens was significantly different (P <0.05) which could be accounted for by the feed wastage in the plastic floored pens.
ciencies and breast blister incidence on live broilers were similar to those in experiment 1 (Table 1), except there was a higher incidence of breast blisters for broilers reared on plastic mesh. Experiment 3. Eight-week old broilers reared on (RCN) at 3.7 dm2, had the heaviest body weight, but this weight was not significantly different to the weight of broilers grown at 3.7 dm2, on plastic mesh or 2.8 dm2, on (RCN), (Table 2). This heavier weight produced at the 3.7 dm2. bird density on (RCN) was significantly greater (P < O.OS) than birds grown at a density of 2.8 and 1.9 dm2, on plastic mesh and those reared on (RCN) at 1.9 dm2. The lightest body weight was obtained on broilers grown at a bird density of 1.9 dm2. for both plastic mesh and (RCN). These
TABLE 2. Body weights and breast blister scores for broilers grown on litter, plastic and rubber floored pens Breast Blister Score (%)
Body Weight (Grams) Floor System
Male
Female
Both Sexes 1
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
1894
1543
171Qb,o,d
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Rubber
3.7 2.8 1.9
1708 1584 1416
1857 s 1792a.b 1556 e
100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
Plastic
3.7 2.8 1.9
1966 1810 1630
1595 1493 1384
1 7 8 1 a,b,c 1702 b '°'<' 1507 e
45.5 40.0 72.0
27.3 53.3 24.0
27.2 6.7 4.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
54.5 100.0 100.0
45.5 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
3.7 2.8
2169 2090
1831 1775
2000 1933
100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
100.0 100.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
3.7 2.8
2111 2098
1730 1671
1921 1885
27.3 13.3
45.5 46.7
9.0 40.0
18.2 0.0
45.5 80.0
27.3 6.7
27.2 13.3
0.0 0.0
9 Weeks Rubber Plastic 1
Female
Male
III
8 Weeks Litter
DM2. Per Bird
9.3
Any two averages with the same superscript are not significantly different at the 5% level of probability.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
feed efficiency may not have been a true effect. Feed wastage was quite evident in the plastic mesh floored pens. This feed wastage, which agrees with thefindingsof Deaton et al. (1970), could account for the poor feed efficiency. For future experiments with caged broilers, feeders need to be designed to eliminate feed wastage. Broilers reared on plastic mesh had a much higher incidence of breast blisters, as measured both live and dressed, than broilers reared on litter (Table 1). Over 32% of the dressed broilers reared on plastic mesh were downgraded as a result of breast blisters compared to 6.6% of the broilers reared on rice hull litter. Breast blister scores for the live broilers was in good agreement with the dressed scores. Experiment 2. Body weights, feed effi-
1197
CAGE REARING OF BROILERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Sincere appreciation is extended to the Firestone Coated Fabrics Company, Mag-
nolia, Arkansas for supplying the rubber covered nylon material and to T. L. Barton, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, for suggesting the use of this material. REFERENCES Reed, M. J., H. D. White, T. M. Huston and K. N. May, 1966. The use of different types of cage bottoms to reduce breast blisters in battery reared broilers. Poultry Sci. 45: 1418-1419. Lloyd, R. W., G. W. Chaloupka and E. W. Walpole, 1970. Plastic coop system of producing broilers. Poultry Sci. 49: 1407. Koonz, C. H., E. J. Strandini and R. E. Gray, 1963. A study of factors responsible for keel blisters in poultry. Poultry Sci. 42 : 1281. Welch, S. W., P. F. Metcalfe and R. Wesley, 1970. Broilers in cages. World's Poultry Sci. J. 27: 132-142. Deaton, J. W., F. N. Reece, J. D. May and K. N. May, 1970. Cage versus floor rearing of broilers as affected by sex and bird density. Poultry Sci. 49: 1380. McMasters, J. D., G. C. Harris, Jr. and T. L. Goodwin, 1971. Effects of nipple and trough watering systems on broiler performance. Poultry Sci. 50:432-435.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 1187) cide residues has been given to Auburn University by the Alabama Poultry Industries Association. The work is being done under the direction of Dr. R. N. Brewer, Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, in cooperation with the Alabama Pesticide Laboratory. CENTRAL SOYA NOTES Frank X. Maness, who has headed Central Soya operations at Canton, Georgia, since 1962, was appointed General Manager of the firm's turkey facility at Monroe, North Carolina. John B. Hixon will replace him as General Manager at Canton. Maness joined Central Soya in 1952 as a salesman of Master Mix animal and poultry feeds. When the Canton plant was acquired in 1962, he was named to manage that operation.
Hixon has been with Central Soya since 1963, when he joined the company's accounting department in Chattanooga. Central Soya Company, Inc., has purchased the assets of the Bonda Industrial Corporation. Bonda is a Rotterdam, Netherlands holding company whose principal assets are majority interests in livestock and poultry feed manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Canada and Morocco. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE NOTES Anthony Koss has been appointed Agricultural Marketing Sales Representative for the Chemical Division of Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. He will be responsible for the sale of bulk vitamins and drug food additives in the eastern regional states, including
(Continued on page 1214)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at FU BerlinFB Humanmedizin on May 15, 2015
two body weights were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than all other body weights. The same trends for body weights were obtained at 9 weeks. Incidence of breast blisters was influenced by cage material and bird density. The least number of blisters occurred for birds reared on (RCN) with the plastic material contributing to the greater incidence. When comparing the number of blisters within birds reared on plastic, those grown at a density of 1.9 dm2, had the lowest number of detectable blisters. This lower incidence may have been a result of the lighter weight of these birds. Broilers reared on the suspended plastic mesh in this Experiment had a lower incidence of breast blisters than those of experiment 1 when the plastic mesh was supported by 5.08 X 10.16 cm. welded wire. This support for the plastic mesh made the floor more rigid, providing a harder surface for the broilers' keel bone.