Effect of light intensity and stocking density on the performance, egg quality, and feather condition of laying hens reared in a battery cage system over the first laying period

ERENSOY K., Sarıca M., Noubandiguim M., Dur M., Aslan R.

TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION, cilt.53, sa.2, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 53 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11250-021-02765-5
  • Dergi Adı: TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Laying hen, Battery cage, Light intensity, Stocking density, Egg traits, Feather condition, MONOCHROMATIC LIGHT, BROILER PERFORMANCE, OVARIAN MORPHOLOGY, SEXUAL-MATURITY, WATER-INTAKE, 4 STRAINS, WELFARE, PECKING, LAYERS, FEED
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The present study aimed to determine the effects of varying light intensity (high 121.8, medium 57.4 and low 11.9 lux) and stocking density (high 552.3, medium 736.3, and low 1104.5 cm(2) cage floor area per hen) treatments on the performance, egg quality, and certain feather condition traits of Lohmann-Brown hens reared in a battery cage system between 20 and 40 weeks of age. Body weight was determined individually at 19 weeks and at 50% yield age (sexual maturity). Feed intake, egg yield, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio were determined weekly. Feather condition was also evaluated individually at 40 weeks of age. Hens reared under high light intensity and low stocking density reached sexual maturity and peak yield earlier than others. The highest body weight was determined for hens reared under high light intensity (1536.6 g), while the lowest in the medium light intensity group (1461.2 g). Hens reared under high and medium light intensity showed higher egg yield than those reared in low intensity (120.5, 120.0 and 112.8 eggs, respectively). In addition, hens reared at low and medium stocking density had higher egg yield than high density (119.7, 120.7, and 112.9 eggs, respectively). Hens reared under low (61.6 g) and medium (61.0 g) light intensity produced heavier eggs than hens in high light intensity (59.6 g). While feed intake was not affected in any treatment, hens reared at low and medium stocking density had a better feed conversion ratio than hens at high density (2.19, 2.20, and 2.40, respectively). Our study results showed that a sustainable production is possible by maintaining the welfare-performance balance when 50-60 lux light intensity and 700-800 cm(2) cage floor area per hen are provided.