Welfare parameters and keel bone damage in laying hens reared in different production systems

Sava Spiridonovic,Slobodan Knezevic,Mirjana Djukic-Stojcic,Lidija Peric,Marko Pajic

doi:10.2298/bah2102109s

Sava Spiridonovic, Slobodan Knezevic + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2298/bah2102109s

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of housing system and the age of hens on welfare parameters and the prevalence of keel bone damage in laying hens. In this study two housing systems were evaluated: aviary system and enriched cages. From each system and age, we used 50 randomly selected hens from different cages and tiers. The results showed significant differences between systems in the type of keel bone damage. There was no significant difference in keel deviation between systems, but the higher prevalence of keel fractures was found in aviary system. In addition, significant effect of the age of hens was found on the occurrence of keel fractures. Footpad dermatitis had statistically higher occurrence in enriched cages at 62 weeks of age. Hens from aviary system had significantly better plumage score compared to hens from enriched cages but only at 42 weeks of age.

Highlights

In 2012 EU countries banned conventional cages for the welfare reasons, when Directive 1999-74-EC came to force
There was no effect of age of hens on the occurrence of KD, since the keel bone ends its ossification until 40 weeks of age (Toscano et al, 2020) and keel deviations are not likely to develop after that time
Higher occurrence of keel bone damage (KBD) was found in aviary system compared to enriched cages

Summary

Introduction

In 2012 EU countries banned conventional cages for the welfare reasons, when Directive 1999-74-EC came to force. In Serbia this directive will came to force in 2024. This will lead to transitioning to new housing systems in poultry production which are significantly better when it comes to animal welfare. New systems generated new problems, such as keel bone damage (KBD), which endangers hen’s welfare. Fractures are characterized by sharp bends, shearing and fragmentation of the keel bone. Keel fractures can lead to pain and stress response in hens (Riber et al, 2018; Wei et al, 2019). Prevalence of KBD ranges from 5% to as high as 97% depending on housing system and age of hens (Rodenburg et al, 2008; Wilkins et al, 2011; Petrik et al, 2015; Riber and Hinrichsen, 2016; Regmi et al, 2016)

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