Population Size and Density as Related to Laying House Performance ,

Abstract

MANY poultry production management recommendations are not based on research results. One such recommendation, floor space per bird, is surprisingly void of supporting research data. The floor space requirements suggested by voluminous extension and commercial management publications are based on size of bird and approximate concentrations of birds that have been shown to be compatible with dry litter under a range of housing designs and quality. Advances in the technology of poultry housing materials, equipment, and ventilation systems have made substantial progress in controlling the litter moisture problem. Bressler (1956) has reported the results of a housing demonstration where satisfactory litter conditions were maintained at bird densities of one square foot floor space per bird.That crowding may provide a potent stress factor is nicely demonstrated by the work of Christian (1957) with mice. Siegel (1958) has studied the effect of floor space allowance on growth, livability and adrenal function …