Einfluss der Junghennenqualität auf das Auftreten von Gefiederschäden, Hautverletzungen und die Mortalität in der Legeperiode kommerzieller Legehennenhaltungen

Abstract

Abstract Laying hen farmers increasingly optimize relevant causal complexes to reduce severe feather pecking. Previous studies demonstrated the relevance of the rearing period on plumage condition during the laying period. Therefore, we examined the effects of pullet quality at the time of housing in the laying stable on plumage condition, skin condition, performance, and animal losses in the laying period under field conditions in a total of 28 laying flocks (9 white-egg layer flock and 19 brown-egg layer flocks) in floor (n = 21) or free-range housing systems (n = 7) with an average flock size of 12,357 hens (median). Pullet quality (PQ) was determined at post-housing examination based on plumage condition, flock uniformity, and target body mass. This resulted in a classification in flocks with high (n = 7), moderate (n = 14), and low PQ (n = 7). Over the subsequent laying period, plumage and skin scoring at seven time points and a continuous documentation of performance data and animal losses were performed.