Effects of Housing Systems on Biochemical Indicators of Blood Plasma in Laying Hens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare biochemical indicators of blood plasma of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (conventional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. Blood samples for determination of biochemical indicators in plasma were collected during this period in week 22, 47 and 75. Indicators of blood plasma metabolic profi le of laying hens of all monitored groups during the laying period ranged in intervals stated for healthy animals. In some cases, signifi cant differences between housing systems were found, however, these differences do not give clear evidence of the infl uence of the housing system on the health of animals. The differences were apparently due to different effi ciency of each group during the laying period.

Biochemical and haematological profile of pheasant hens during the laying period

“…Studies of laying hens as well as laying Bronze turkeys, in accordance with the data gained in the present study, revealed significant increases in blood content of cholesterol, uric acid, calcium and AST , Suchy et al 2004, Pavlik et al 2007, Schmidt et al 2010. These modifications, therefore, seem to be characteristic features of the biochemical blood profile of gallicianeous birds during the laying period.…”

“…One of these factors is the reproduction status. Studies performed with laying hens as well as female Bronze turkeys during the laying period consistently report an alteration of blood biochemistry as well as blood haematology due to egg laying , Suchy et al 2004, Pavlik et al 2007, Schmidt et al 2010. Knowledge of these changes in blood parameters is of importance for a proper evaluation of biochemical and haematological examinations during the egg laying period.…”

“…These modifications, therefore, seem to be characteristic features of the biochemical blood profile of gallicianeous birds during the laying period. Only ambiguous data are available concerning blood glucose profiles of layers , Suchy et al 2004, Pavlik et al 2007). This may be due to differences in the carbohydrate content of the feed as well as various time points of blood sampling in the context of feed intake.…”

“…It is important to note that, beside pathological drivers, blood biochemical and haematological parameters in birds are influenced by a variety of factors such as age, sex, diet, climatic conditions and the method of rearing (Kececi and Cöl 2010, Suchy et al 2010, Nazifi et al 2012. Data from laying hens further underline the impact of physiological conditions, e. g. reproduction, on blood biochemistry and haematology , Suchy et al 2004, Pavlik et al 2007). Thus, to reliably interpret the results obtained by biochemical and haematological examinations of the blood of laying pheasant hens there is a need for knowledge of the dynamic changes in these parameters during egg laying.…”

Effect of humic-plant feed preparations on biochemical blood parameters of laying hens in deep litter housing system

“…Similar values were provided by Suchý et al (2004), who noted TCh concentration in the range of 3.13-5.80 mmol/l in laying hens aged 25-50 wks, while Nobakht et al (2012) in older Hy-line laying hens (62-74 wks-old) observed the range of 3.58-7.63 mmol/l depending on herbs dose in a diet. This results from the fact that high requirements on TCh essential for yolk substance formation occurs in a period of intense laying production, which may lead to a decrease in this parameter level in blood serum of laying hens (Pavlik et al 2007, Popiela et al 2013. Also triacylglycerols (TAG) concentration was not affected by hens diet.…”