Physical Characteristics and Performance of Laying Hens Caged in Different Tiers and Environmental Parameters of Each Tier

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the variations in environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity, lighting intensity, and airflow rate), hen body temperatures, surface temperatures of different body parts (neck, shank, and comb), feed consumption, egg yield, and egg quality parameters of hens caged in different tiers and to investigate the interactions between tiers. Indoor average temperature, relative humidity, lighting intensity, and airflow rate values were determined, respectively, as 10.12°C, 57.65%, 17.67 lux, and 0.21 m s-1 (for tier 1); 11.30°C, 57.21%, 22.36 lux, and 0.21 m s-1 (for tier 2); and 12.14°C, 55.73%, 25.92 lux, and 0.23 m s-1 (for tier 3). Body temperatures of hens in tiers 1, 2, and 3 were measured, respectively, as 41.21°C, 41.30°C, and 41.38°C; neck temperatures as 38.29°C, 39.05°C, and 39.80°C; shank temperatures as 35.88°C, 36.31°C, and 36.58°C; and comb temperatures as 34.10°C, 34.49°C, and 35.13°C. Results revealed increasing temperature and lighting intensity and decreased relative humidity from bottom to top tier. Similarly, surface temperatures of body parts also increased from bottom to top. The differences between tiers were found to be significant (p 0.05). While effects of tiers on egg blood stains were found to be significant (p 0.05). Because of insignificant differences between tiers with regard to performance characteristics and most egg quality parameters, and higher mortality rates in the third tier, the tiers of 1 and 2 were found to be advantageous.