Effects of Energy and Protein Levels on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Parameters, Blood Biochemistry, and Apparent Total Tract Digestibility on Laying Hens in an Aviary System

This study was performed to investigate the effects of apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) and protein levels on laying performance, egg quality, blood parameters, blood biochemistry, and apparent total tract digestibility of energy and nutrients in diets fed to laying hens in an aviary system. A total of 560 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (age = 30 week) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements with 2 metabolizable energy levels (2700 and 2800 kcal AMEn/kg) and 2 protein levels (16.5 and 14.5% CP). Four treatments and four replicates of 40 birds each (stocking density = 15 birds/m2) were prepared. Results revealed no significant interaction between AMEn and CP in the diet in terms of egg production, floor eggs, broken and dirty egg production, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of laying hens. However, egg weight was affected. As dietary energy and CP levels (2800 kcal of AMEn/kg and 16.5% CP) increased, egg weight increased (p < 0.05). Egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio significantly differed (p < 0.05) as the energy content in the feed increased. Ether extract significantly varied (p < 0.05) as the energy content in the feed increased. In conclusion, laying performance and egg quality of Hy-Line Brown laying hens in the middle stage of egg production (30 to 50 weeks) were not affected by different dietary energy and protein levels, but feed intake decreased with an increasing level of AMEn in diets. Ether extract significantly varied as the energy content in the feed increased.

Studies on the concentrations of particulate matter and ammonia gas from three laying hen rearing systems during the summer season

This study aimed to measure the concentrations of particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and ammonia gas (NH₃) from different types of laying hen houses during summer. The treatment groups included conventional cage, floor pens, and aviary system, with tunnel ventilation system applied to all poultry houses. The PM₁₀ concentration was highest in the aviary system from 10:00 h to 18:30 h, whereas in the cage, it remained high after 18:30 h until 7:30 h the next day. The cage showed high levels of PM_2.5 from 18:30 h to 7:30 h the next day. The correlation between the three breeding systems showed an R² < 0.2. The mean daily concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and NH₃ were highest in the cage, among all the poultry houses. On comparing the two welfare breeding systems (floor pens and aviary system), particulate matter concentrations were higher in the floor pens, while the aviary system had higher level of NH₃. However, no significant differences were observed between the concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and NH₃ between the three laying hen houses in summer. This study provides basic data for improving the rearing environment in the three different types of poultry housing systems.

Radiographic Evaluation of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens-Morphologic and Temporal Observations in a Longitudinal Study

The keel bone of commercially kept laying hens is known to be frequently affected by morphologic changes such as fractures and deformations with important implications for animal welfare. To detect morphologic changes, various methods such as palpation, computed tomography, and ultrasound are available, though radiography allows for the greatest level of detail in combination with the most ease of use. To explore the benefits of radiography in providing objective data on keel fractures from the age of 22–61 weeks within a single laying period, the keel bones of 75 Lohmann Brown and 75 Lohmann Selected Leghorns were radiographed every 3 to 5 weeks. Type, location, angulation, dislocation, callus formation, and healing process were assessed descriptively for each lesion. Ninety-nine percent of the animals showed at least one keel bone lesion during the study and 97% of the animals had at least one keel bone fracture. In 77% of the cases, the caudal third of the keel bone was affected. The fracture types were transverse and oblique (88%), comminuted, and butterfly. Further lesions were sclerosis, new bone formation and angulation. For each keel bone, an average of three fractures (3.09 ± 1.80) was detected at the end of the study. The described radiographic protocol for keel bone lesions was suitable for longitudinal, on-site examinations in conscious laying hens. Our results also indicate that keel bone fractures are more frequent than reported in earlier studies. The described radiographic examination protocol can be used to perform comparative studies of palpatory findings, or to assess the clinical significance of different fracture types which require a high level of detail.

Abatement of particulate matter emission from experimental aviary housings for laying hens by spraying rapeseed oil

In alternative systems for laying hens, concentrations and emission rates of particulate matter (PM) give reason for concern with regard to working conditions, bird health and productivity, and health of residents living near farms. Previously, we found that spraying a film of rapeseed oil onto the litter of broilers could substantially reduce PM concentrations and emissions. The objective of this study was to establish dose-response effects of oil spraying in aviaries on concentrations and emission rates of PM with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 μm (PM₁₀) and 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), on stockmen's exposure to PM₁₀, on egg production, exterior quality and behavior of the hens, and on the litter. An experiment was carried out with 4 treatments: 0 (control), 15, 30, and 45 mL/m² per d (oil treatments). Each treatment was applied in 2 rooms with different aviary systems (8 rooms in total). The experiment was repeated during a second period, both lasting 35 days. From d 11 to d 35, oil was applied daily using a spraying gun. Applying 15, 30, or 45 mL/m² per d significantly reduced emission rates of PM₁₀ by 27, 62, and 82%, and emission rates of PM_2.5 by 71, 83, and 94%, respectively. No significant effects of oil spraying were found on mortality, egg production, dust bathing behavior, scratching behavior, plumage soiling, DM content of the litter, or friability of the litter. A significant worsening of the plumage condition was found only for the body spot back/wings/tail (not for: throat/neck, chest/breast, or legs) in the 45 mL/m² per d treatment. Egg quality shifted significantly towards more second-class eggs in the oil treatments (1.9% versus 1.4%; P = 0.004). Remarkably, foot soiling decreased with increasing oil application. In conclusion, PM concentrations and emission rates in aviaries can be effectively reduced by spraying 15 to 30 mL/m² per d with minor side effects within a 25 d application period.

Genetic selection to increase bone strength affects prevalence of keel bone damage and egg parameters in commercially housed laying hens

The prevalence of keel bone damage as well as external egg parameters of 2 pure lines divergently selected for high (H) and low (L) bone strength were investigated in 2 aviary systems under commercial conditions. A standard LSL hybrid was used as a reference group. Birds were kept mixed per genetic line (77 hens of the H and L line and 201 or 206 hens of the LSL line, respectively, per pen) in 8 pens of 2 aviary systems differing in design. Keel bone status and body mass of 20 focal hens per line and pen were assessed at 17, 18, 23, 30, 36, 43, 52, and 63 wk of age. External egg parameters (i.e., egg mass, eggshell breaking strength, thickness, and mass) were measured using 10 eggs per line at both 38 and 57 wk of age. Body parameters (i.e. tarsus and third primary wing feather length to calculate index of wing loading) were recorded at 38 wk of age and mortality per genetic line throughout the laying cycle. Bone mineral density (BMD) of 15 keel bones per genetic line was measured after slaughter to confirm assignment of the experimental lines. We found a greater BMD in the H compared with the L and LSL lines. Fewer keel bone fractures and deviations, a poorer external egg quality, as well as a lower index of wing loading were found in the H compared with the L line. Mortality was lower and production parameters (e.g., laying performance) were higher in the LSL line compared with the 2 experimental lines. Aviary design affected prevalence of keel bone damage, body mass, and mortality. We conclude that selection of specific bone traits associated with bone strength as well as the related differences in body morphology (i.e., lower index of wing loading) have potential to reduce keel bone damage in commercial settings. Also, the housing environment (i.e., aviary design) may have additive effects.