Comparison of performance parameters, stress, and immunity levels of native and commercial layers reared in different cage densities in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, production performance, stress, and immunity levels of native Turkish and imported commercial laying hens were investigated in two different cage densities. In the trial, a total of 06 groups were formed by using two different cage densities (312.50 and 468.75 cm$^{2}$/hen) on each of 03 different laying hen hybrids of Isa Brown (IB), Atak-S (A-S) and Novogen White (NW). The trial was carried out with 09 replicates in each group having 10 birds per replicate making 540 birds in total. Water and feed were provided as ad libitum. It was found that the native hybrid showed lower performance in comparison to the foreign hybrids in terms of production performance such as egg production (EP), feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.01), while its growth variables such as livability (L) and body weight (BW) were higher. In terms of stress and immunity levels, the native hybrid showed similar values to those of the brown foreign hybrid, while the stress levels were lower and immunity levels were higher in the white laying hens (p < 0.001). It was observed that the yield characteristics and stress levels were affected negatively in higher cage density (p < 0.01), while immunity levels were not affected (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the yield characteristics of the native hybrid were relatively lower in comparison to those of the foreign hybrids, while its stress and immunity levels were similar, and cage density decreased yield, increased stress and did not significantly affect immunity levels.