Modification of perchery system: Preference for ramps rather than ladders during early adaptation period for cage-reared pullets

Zheng, Hongya; Li, Baoming; Tong, Qin; Chen, Gang; Li, Xuanyang

doi:10.25165/j.ijabe.20191204.4030

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Providing young chicks and pullets with ramps to enable easier access to elevated structures has additional benefits, with grid ramps preferred over ladders (Pettersson et al., 2017; Zheng et al., 2019) and shallow ramp angles (< 30–40) over steep angles (Zheng et al., 2019). Pullets reared commercially with elevated structures and additional ramps from 3 weeks of age were more mobile and confident in moving between tiers at 12–14 weeks of age than pullets reared with elevated structures but no ramps (Norman et al., 2018).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Access to elevated platforms and tiers can be facilitated by ramps allowing hens to reach the platforms or tier by walking. At angles with a slope > 40° the force needed by hens to climb up increases (LeBlanc et al., 2018) and ramps with a slope > 40° are less used compared to ramps with lower angles (Zheng et al., 2019). Regarding the surface of ramps, grids seem to be more suitable compared to ladders (Norman et al., 2018; Pettersson et al., 2017; Zheng et al., 2019).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welfare of laying hens on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of laying hens, pullets and layer breeders on farm. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal‐based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. The highly relevant welfare consequences based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence are bone lesions, group stress, inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, isolation stress, predation stress, resting problems, restriction of movement, skin disorders and soft tissue lesions and integument damage. The welfare consequences of non‐cage compared to cage systems for laying hens are described and minimum enclosure characteristics are described for laying hens, pullets and layer breeders. Beak trimming, which causes negative welfare consequences and is conducted to reduce the prevalence and severity of pecking, is described as well as the risks associated with rearing of non‐beak‐trimmed flocks. Alternatives to reduce sharpness of the beak without trimming are suggested. Finally, total mortality, plumage damage, wounds, keel bone fractures and carcass condemnations are the most promising ABMs for collection at slaughterhouses to monitor the level of laying hen welfare on farm. Main recommendations include housing all birds in non‐cage systems with easily accessible, elevated platforms and provision of dry and friable litter and access to a covered veranda. It is further recommended to implement protocols to define welfare trait information to encourage progress in genetic selection, implement measures to prevent injurious pecking, rear pullets with dark brooders and reduce male aggression in layer breeders.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of laying hens on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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“…Ramps are effective in improving early adaptation and later navigation capacity of the chicks in multi-storied perch systems. Generally, pullets prefer using a grid ramp when moving from the ground to the shelves, as they are less likely to slip or crash [ 105 ]; on the other hand, the stepped ramps provide a better resting place for the birds because the surface of the steps is leveled [ 95 ]. In larger aviaries, the elevated platforms act as shakers and thereby help the pullets to exercise their leg muscles as they move to and from the platform.…”

Section: Effects Of Structural Equipmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farm Environmental Enrichments Improve the Welfare of Layer Chicks and Pullets: A Comprehensive Review

Shu

Liu

et al. 2022

Animals

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Currently, cage housing is regarded as a global mainstream production system for laying hens. However, limited living space and confinement of birds in cages cause welfare and health problems, such as feather pecking, osteoporosis, obesity, and premature aging. Many studies have been conducted to alleviate layer welfare problems by providing farm environmental enrichments such as litter, sand, alfalfa bales, chick papers, pecking stones, pecking strings, perches, slopes, elevated platforms, aviaries and outdoor access with a trend towards complex enrichments. The provision of appropriate enrichments continuously attracts layers towards pecking, foraging, dust bathing, and locomotion, thereby giving lifelong benefits to laying hens. Hence, raising chicks and pullets under such conditions may reduce feather and skin damage, as well as accumulation of abdominal fat, and improve several biological features such as health, productivity, quality products, and docility of laying hens. Therefore, providing enrichment during the first few days of the layer’s life without any interruption is crucial. In addition, due to different farm conditions, environmental enrichment should be managed by well-trained farm staff. For example, in preventing feather pecking among the birds, litter materials for foraging are superior to dust bath materials or new items. However, a limited supply of litter creates competition and challenges among birds. Therefore, providing farm environmental enrichment for layers requires proper handling, especially in commercial layer farms. Hence, improving the welfare of chicks and pullets through optimizing on-farm environmental enrichments is essential for production systems practicing cage housing.

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“…Modification of multi tier system with structural facilities such as ramps has been stated to have a positive impact on behaviour and production of birds. Zheng et al (2019) compared ramps and ladders in a multi tier system with perches in terms of bird behaviour and production. It was observed that the number of eggs laid on the floor was reduced in pens with ramps but, the angle of the ramps was less than 40 o for better results.…”

Section: Floor Eggsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Production Systems for Laying Hens on Hen Welfare

Tainika

Şekeroğlu

2020

Turkish JAF Sci.Tech.

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This review article discussed the effects of various production systems on the welfare of laying hens. The global egg production capacity has been increasing with the evolving production systems which are driven by the consumer preferences. In developed countries, the egg industry has shifted from focusing on quantity and quality of eggs to asking questions of how these eggs are produced. Animal welfare issues emphasized by consumers in these countries led to the banning of conventional cages as seen by European Union in 2012. Such legal measures have uplifted research in various alternative production systems which are thought to be animal friendly. Countries that have adjusted to alternative systems such as free range are registering an increase in the number of free range eggs which is a positive sign for an industry that is willing to adapt and move forward. However, in developing countries, conventional cages are still being used because they are fundamental to the quantity of egg production which is a success indicator of the egg industry. In addition, lack of awareness within the consumers and local producers that birds are sentient has not helped the poultry industry in such countries. However, the alternative production systems have also not fulfilled all the behavioural needs of the animals and, hen welfare issues such as keel and bone damage are common in enriched and perched systems. Also, the high prevalence of diseases and parasites are observed with significant levels in litter floor and outdoor systems an issue attributable to the direct contact between birds and soil or faces. Due to the continuing welfare issues in all laying hen production systems, it is suggested that in addition to genetic selection for traits like bone strength, reduced feather pecking, research should combine both the modification of equipment’s or materials used in each production system and environmental factors such as illumination and temperature as an alternative to improve hen welfare.

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Modification of perchery system: Preference for ramps rather than ladders during early adaptation period for cage-reared pullets

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Welfare of laying hens on farm

Welfare of laying hens on farm

Farm Environmental Enrichments Improve the Welfare of Layer Chicks and Pullets: A Comprehensive Review

Effect of Production Systems for Laying Hens on Hen Welfare

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