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The behaviour of hens reared in different housing systems
296
THE BEHAVIOUR SYSTEMS
OF HENS REARED IN DIFFERENT
HOUSING
D.W. FoLSCH Znstitut
fiir Tierproduktion,
ETH,
Zurich
(Switzerland)
ABSTRACT In this experiment the behaviour of hybrid hens (Shaver Starcross 288) kept in different housing systems was compared. Hens from the same breeder were reared in batteries (group A) and on deep litter (group B). Starting at the 18th week of age, each group was kept separately in the four following systems: free range, deep litter, wirefloor and battery cages. The “acoustic ethogram of hens kept in different systems” has already been described extensively elsewhere. Therefore, only the visible patterns of behaviour, of which 52 were clearly defined and divided into 7 groups, were dealt with in this study. There was a marked, profound difference between the investigated indoor system:3 (litter, wire-floor, cage) and free range. Differences in the quality and quantity of behaviour were caused by the housing systems and the rearing methods. In particular, the floor quality and the floor space affected the behaviour patterns shown by the hens. These two aspects were discussed with regard to conditions found in commercial practice. Finally, the implications of these effects of the environment on behaviour for the complex concept of “welfare” were discussed, as well as the possibilities of improving certain aspects of production systems.
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DENSITY ON THE INTEGUMENTAL SYSTEM OF WHITE LEGHORN EGG-LAYERS BIG FLOCKS
IN
H.B. SIMONSEN Royal
Veterinary
and Agricultural
University,
Copenh.agen
(Denmark)
ABSTRACT During the years 1976 and 1977 the Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council supported an investigation comparing behaviour patterns of White Leghorn etglayers housed on deep litter or a sloping wire floor. Densities of 7 and 14 birds per m were used for each of the 2 floor types. In addition to the behaviour studies the skin, plumage, claws and pads of the animals were evaluated. Two groups of beak-trimmed, 20 week old White Leghorns procured from a commercial dealer were evaluated in 1976 and 1977, respectively. Both groups consisted of 4 flocks each containing 118 birds. The 1976 group was judged after 14 months and the 1977 group after 7 months in the experimental house. In the first year 50 animals and
THE BEHAVIOUR SYSTEMS
OF HENS REARED IN DIFFERENT
HOUSING
D.W. FoLSCH Znstitut
fiir Tierproduktion,
ETH,
Zurich
(Switzerland)
ABSTRACT In this experiment the behaviour of hybrid hens (Shaver Starcross 288) kept in different housing systems was compared. Hens from the same breeder were reared in batteries (group A) and on deep litter (group B). Starting at the 18th week of age, each group was kept separately in the four following systems: free range, deep litter, wirefloor and battery cages. The “acoustic ethogram of hens kept in different systems” has already been described extensively elsewhere. Therefore, only the visible patterns of behaviour, of which 52 were clearly defined and divided into 7 groups, were dealt with in this study. There was a marked, profound difference between the investigated indoor system:3 (litter, wire-floor, cage) and free range. Differences in the quality and quantity of behaviour were caused by the housing systems and the rearing methods. In particular, the floor quality and the floor space affected the behaviour patterns shown by the hens. These two aspects were discussed with regard to conditions found in commercial practice. Finally, the implications of these effects of the environment on behaviour for the complex concept of “welfare” were discussed, as well as the possibilities of improving certain aspects of production systems.
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DENSITY ON THE INTEGUMENTAL SYSTEM OF WHITE LEGHORN EGG-LAYERS BIG FLOCKS
IN
H.B. SIMONSEN Royal
Veterinary
and Agricultural
University,
Copenh.agen
(Denmark)
ABSTRACT During the years 1976 and 1977 the Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council supported an investigation comparing behaviour patterns of White Leghorn etglayers housed on deep litter or a sloping wire floor. Densities of 7 and 14 birds per m were used for each of the 2 floor types. In addition to the behaviour studies the skin, plumage, claws and pads of the animals were evaluated. Two groups of beak-trimmed, 20 week old White Leghorns procured from a commercial dealer were evaluated in 1976 and 1977, respectively. Both groups consisted of 4 flocks each containing 118 birds. The 1976 group was judged after 14 months and the 1977 group after 7 months in the experimental house. In the first year 50 animals and