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.

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The litter quality is an important factor affecting the performance, welfare and carcass quality of the broilers. Depending on the progress of the fattening duration, some materials may be added to the litter in order to keep the pH, moisture and ammonia levels in the litter under control. Sepiolite is a natural material and it has strong absorbing ability to the water. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of sepiolite additions to different litter materials on performance and some welfare parameters of broilers and litter characteristics. A total of 288 1-d-old male broiler chicks (ROSS-308) were used. Birds were randomly allocated to 2 litters (wood shavings and rice hull) and 3 sepiolite groups (0, 25, 50%) with 6 replication, and each pen contains 8 chicks. Fattening performance, IgG, tonic immobility period, feather score, skin injures, breast burns, and footpad burns of broilers were not affected significantly by sepiolite additions to the litter. However, sepiolite addition to the litter can improve litter quality. There was no significant difference between 2 litter materials because both have same color. There were no significant interactions in examined parameters. In conclusion, addition of sepiolite at 25 and 50% levels to litter materials may be used as a litter material in the broiler production without adverse welfare and performance problem.

SummaryThis study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of Yucca schidigera spraying in different litter materials on some litter traits (moisture, pH, ammonia, total colony count, number of Enterobacteriaceae and number of yeast and mold) and breast burn of broilers at the 5 th week of production. A total of four hundred thirty two 1-d-old male broiler chicks (ROSS-308) were used. In this study 12 chicks were put in each pen having 170x94x90 cm (depth x length x height). Half of the litter was wood shavings, the other was rice hull. Yucca schidigera extract was pulverized weekly at the level of 0, 4% and 8% to each pen from the second week of the study. Litter materials and Yucca schidigera spraying at different level did not affect the examined litter traits and breast burns of broilers (P>0.05) at the 5 th week of production. Keywords: Broiler, Yucca schidigera, Litter traits, Breast burn Farklı Altlık Materyallerine Püskürtülen Yucca schidigera'nın Üretimin 5. Haftasında Bazı Altlık Özellikleri ile Etçi Piliçlerin Göğüs Yanıkları Üzerine Etkisi ÖzetBu çalışma farklı altlık materyallerine değişik dozlarda ilave edilen Yucca schidigera'nın üretimin 5. haftasında bazı altlık özellikleri (nem, pH, amonyak, toplam koloni sayısı, Enterobakteri ve maya-küf düzeyleri) ile etçi piliçlerde göğüs yanıkları üzerine etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmada toplam 432 adet bir günlük yaşta erkek civciv (ROSS 308) kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada civcivler 170x94x90 cm (genişlik x uzunluk x yükseklik) boyutlarındaki bölmelerin her birinde 12 adet olacak şekilde yerleştirilmiştir. Altlık materyali olarak bölmelerin yarısında talaş diğer yarısında pirinç kavuzu kullanılmıştır. Her altlık grubu denemenin 2. haftasından itibaren her hafta altlığa 0, %4 ve %8 Yucca schidigera püskürtülecek şekilde 3 eşit alt gruba ayrılmıştır. Kullanılan altlık malzemelerinin ve altlığa değişik düzeylerde Yucca schidigera ilavesinin üretimin 5. haftasında incelenen altlık özellikleri ile etçi piliçlerde göğüs yanıklarını etkilemediği görülmüştür (P>0.05).

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