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The effect of group size, spatial allowance and perch presence on nest soiling and nest use in caged hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

H. J. Reed  and
C. J. Nicol
H. J. Reed
Affiliation:
University of Bristol, Department of Meat Animal Science, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY
C. J. Nicol
Affiliation:
University of Bristol, Department of Animal Husbandry, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DU
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Extract

Evidence of the need to improve welfare for hens in battery cages has come from any sources. Provision of a nest may be regarded as essential (eg. Kite 1985; Appleby and Hughes, 1990). There is general agreement that current spatial allowances are inadequate for welfare, while perches have been shown to improve foot condition and leg bone strength (Appleby and Hughes, 1990). These elements, in combination, may yield other benefits or drawbacks. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of spatial allowance, group size and the presence of a perch on comfort behaviour, nest use and nest soiling in caged hens.

Type
Animal welfare
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1991 , March 1991 , pp. 66
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1991

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References

Appleby, M.C., and Hughes, B.O. (1990). Cages modified with perches and nest sites for the improvement of welfare. World Poultry Science Journal 46: 38–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kite, V.G. (1985). Does a hen require a nest? Second European Symposium on Poultry Welfare, pp. 117-136. (World Poultry Science Association).Google Scholar