Effect of perches in laying cages on welfare and production of hens

Effects of housing system, slaughter age, and sex on slaughter and carcass traits of native Turkish ducks

“…This result could be explained by the fact that feeding, lying, walking, and object pecking activities were better in the deep litter floor system than in the cage system (16). Stress is much higher in the cage system (17).…”

Rearing system and behavioural adaptation of laying hens to furnished cages

“…That behaviour might be partially explained by an interaction between the ontogeny of foraging and other "floor-related" behaviours in FR birds during the rearing period, which led to the development of more frequent perching behaviour in the cage (LAMBE et al, 1997). The benefits of a perch to the welfare of caged hens are not clear (GLATZ & BARNETT, 1996;DUNCAN et al, 1992). Hens housed in litter and free range sit less and stand less (APPLEBY et al, 1992); therefore, the greater use of perches by FR hens probably does not indicate better animal welfare.…”

Effects of Perches on Behavior and Performance of Caged Hens.

“…They prefer rectangular or circular perches rather than triangular ones (MUIRURI, et al, 1990) . TAUSON (1984) reported that the productivity of hens in cages with circular perches was lower than that of controls in non-perched cages, and foot damage was less in birds with rectangular perches than with circular perches (DUNCAN et al, 1992).…”

“…WEBSTER and HURNIK (1990) also showed that resting occurred more in cages with perches. DUNCAN et al (1992) reported that the position where the birds preened and rested was changed by the perch arrangement.…”