Cage Stocking Density Research Articles

Effects of cage stocking density on the production performance, serum biochemistry, immune level, and intestinal morphology of 2 laying hen breeds

Effects of cage stocking density on the production performance, serum biochemistry, immune level, and intestinal morphology of 2 laying hen breeds

Etlik Piliçlerde Sıcak İklimde Soğuk Su ve Yerleşim Sıklığının Oksidatif Metabolizmaya Etkisi

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of drinking water temperature and stocking density (SD) on oxidative metabolism in the heart, liver, bursa fabricius, and thymus in broiler chickens raised under heat stress. The experiment comprised of 360 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens randomly divided to 6 experimental groups with 4 replicates in each group. Experimental treatments included three different SD (low = 12 birds/m2, medium = 15 birds/m2 or high = 18 birds/m2) and two different drinking water temperature (10oC or 31oC) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. At the end of the experiment (42 days of age), two birds per replicate were euthanized for sample collection. The results indicated high SD increased oxidative damage and caused an increase in MDA formation in the heart, liver and thymus. On the other hand, cold water ameliorated the oxidative damage due to the high SD in the thymus. In the study, the statistically non-significant interaction was generally determined between cage stocking density and cold drinking water on the antioxidant system. Besides, while cold water administration increased CAT activity in heart and thymus tissues, decreased GSH activity. In conclusion, drinking water temperature and stocking density are key environmental factors effecting oxidative metabolism when broilers under high temperature conditions; however, more studies are needed in terms of the interactive effects of water temperature and stocking density on antioxidant enzymes under current conditions.

Effect of Cage Stocking Density and Dietary Nutrient Density on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail

Effect of Cage Stocking Density and Dietary Nutrient Density on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail

Heat balance, haematology and serum chemistry of layers under varying stocking density reared in locally fabricated metal-type cage system

One hundred and thirty five 18weeks old Bovans Nera Black strain pullets were used in a 10week study to determine their heat balance and blood profile under varying stocking density in locally fabricated metal-type cage system. The cages were stocked 2, 3 and 4birds/cell. Daily ambient temperature and relative humidity of the cage and rectal temperature of the birds were taken and heat balance calculated. Record of Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC), White blood count (WBC) and differential of the birds were taken at beginning and end of the study for the haematological indices while blood glucose, total protein, Albumin and blood urea were taken for the bio-chemical measurements. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, and heat balance showed no significant (P>0.05) difference with cage stocking density. Cage stocking density had significant (P<0.05) effect on rectal temperature of layers. Bird stocked 3/cell recorded the least (41.14oC) rectal temperature while those stocked 4/cell recorded the highest (41.27oC). All the haematological parameters of the birds were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by stocking density of the cage type. Bio-chemical measurements were not significantly (P>0.05) different among layers under varying stocking density of the cage except total protein (P<0.05). Layers stocked 4/cell recorded highest (5.22g/dl) total protein while those stocked 3/cell had the least value (4.37g/dl). However, the values were within the normal range recommended for healthy chicken. The study concluded that locally fabricated metal-type battery cage could be used to rear layers and stocking density of 3birds/cell is ideal without compromising the welfare of the birds.

Economic Traits and Production Performance of Nandanam Quail Reared at Different Cage Stocking Densities

This study was carried out to assess the effect of different cage stocking densities on the production performance of Nandanam quail III reared up to 42 days. Three hundred day old Nandanam quail III were randomly assigned to 2.5 x 1.5 ft cages and distributed with 3 treatments (20, 25 and 30 quails per cage or 0.17, 0.14 and 0.11 sq. ft per quail, respectively) and 4 replicates. There were significant differences among treatments for bi-weekly body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and net profit per bird. There was a reduction (P>0.05) in body weight with the increase in stocking density and the 4th and 6th week body weight were 144.17±3.84, 128.55±3.63 and 108.03±2.69 g; and 216.86±5.95, 207.76±4.01 and 197.27±3.81 g, respectively. The feed consumption per bird (g) up to 42 days were 665.69±0.01, 532.19±0.01 and 443.23±0.01 respectively. Better feed conversion ratio (2.57 and 2.25) and net profit per bird (Rs. 4.48 and 7.15) were observed where the birds reared at the cage stocking density of 0.14 sq.ft and 0.11 sq.ft per bird, respectively. This study concluded that the cage stocking density between 0.11 and 0.14 sq.ft per bird will be more economical for rearing Nandanam quail III in cage system of rearing up to 42 days of age.

Impact of cage stocking density on egg laying characteristics and related stress and immunity parameters of Japanese quails in subtropics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different cage stocking densities on egg production parameters, as well as related stress and immunity indices in Japanese quails under subtropical Egyptian conditions. Two hundred and sixteen birds of Japanese quail at 14th week of age were used in this experiment. The birds were divided randomly into three groups: 60, 72 and 84. Each group subdivided into 4 replicates, where the cages' floor spaces were 200 (S1 ), 167 (S2 ) and 143 (S3 ) cm(2) /bird, respectively. Birds housed at 200cm(2) /bird (S1 ) had superior fertility (fertility % (p=0.013) and hatchability % (p=0.041)), egg production (egg weight (p=0.034) and egg mass (p=0.001)) and immunity parameters (higher geometric mean of antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus, p=0.024). Furthermore, they had higher internal egg quality score: albumen height (p=0.003), yolk height (p=0.023), yolk index (p=0.006) and Haugh unit (p=0.035). Birds housed at 143cm(2) /bird (S3 ) had the lowest total leucocytic count and lymphocyte % (p=0.022), but the highest H/L ratio (p=0.001). Corticosterone concentration was lower in S1 group (p=0.031) than that in groups housed at higher densities. Japanese quail housed at high densities revealed drop in fertility, hatchability, production and immunity parameters, indicating a detrimental effects on both welfare and economic income.

Effects of Cage Stocking Density on Egg Quality Traits in Japanese Quails

Effects of Cage Stocking Density on Egg Quality Traits in Japanese Quails

Application of Classification Tree Method to Determine Factors Affecting Fertility in Japanese Quail Eggs

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genotype, season and cage stocking density on fertility in Japanese quail using Classification Tree Method (CTM). CTM visually displays valuable information about the relations between independent variables in large data sets in the form of a tree diagram. The material of this study were 1954 hatching eggs from a selected a line (S line) and a randomly coupled control group (C line); the eggs were collected in three different seasons (spring, summer and autumn) and the quails were bred in two different stocking densities (160 and 240 cm 2 /bird). For CTM analysis, fertility was used as the dependent variable and genotype, season and cage stocking density were used as independent variables. The effects of all three factors on fertility were found significant with season exerting the highest effect followed by stocking density and genotype (P<0.05). While the lowest fertility ratio (63.91 %) was observed with S line bred in summer at a stocking density of 160 cm 2 /bird, the highest fertility ratio was observed with C line bred in autumn at a stocking density of 240 cm 2 /bird. A significant difference in terms of stocking density and genotype was found in summer and autumn. According to the CTM analysis results, the high temperatures in summer caused heat stress and had negative effects on fertility; this effect was even stronger on quails that had been selected for increased living weight and were kept at a stocking density of 160 cm 2 /bird.

Effects of stocking density and feeding duration in cage-cum-pond-integrated system on growth performance, water quality and economic benefits ofLabeo victorianus(Boulenger 1901) culture

We evaluated the effect of varying cage stocking density (60, 90 and 120 fish m−3) and feeding duration (10, 30 and 60 min) in a cage-cum-pond-integrated system on growth performance, water quality and economic benefits in Labeo victorianus culture. Interactions between stocking density and feeding duration significantly (P < 0.05) affected the fish growth performance and yields in the cages-cum-pond system. Stocking density of 60 fish m−3 resulted in the highest growth in cages and in ponds regardless of the feeding duration, but produced lower yields than at stocking density 90 fish m−3. The lowest Apparent Food Conversion Ratio (AFCR) in cages occurred at stocking density of 60 fish m−3 and feeding duration of 30 min. Growth performance in the open ponds declined with increased feeding duration of the caged fish. Survival in cages and in the open ponds decreased with increased cage density, but was not affected by feeding duration. Low dissolved oxygen were recorded, at stocking density of 120 fish m−3, the lowest DO occurred when feeding of caged fish lasted 60 min. Growth performance, water quality and economic benefits in Labeo victorianus culture positively respond to interaction between stocking density and feeding durations.

Technical Note: Heat and Moisture Production of W-36 Laying Hens at 24°C to 27°C Temperature Conditions

This study was conducted to quantify heat and moisture production (HMP) of W-36 laying hens in their prime laying phase (27 to 33 weeks of age) using four large-scale indirect animal calorimeters. Two experiments were conducted involving two groups of hens. The hens were exposed to conditions of 24C to 27C and concomitant relative humidity (RH) of 45% to 65% for six weeks. In each experiment, a total of 216 laying hens were used, with 54 hens housed in each of the four calorimeters at the cage stocking density of 435 cm2 hen-1 (67 in.2 hen-1) that was typical of industry practice. Total heat production (THP), room-level latent heat production (LHP), and room-level sensible heat production (SHP) were expressed as daily time-weighted average (TWA), with an average of 16 h light and 8 h dark. The results showed that HMP was similar for the 24C to 27C temperature range. THP, LHP, and SHP, in W kg-1 (mean SE) were, respectively, 6.1 0.3, 2.3 0.2, and 3.8 0.1 for the daily TWA; 6.5 0.3, 2.4 0.2, and 4.1 0.1 for the light period; and 5.4 0.3, 2.2 0.2, and 3.2 0.1 for the dark period. The HMP data contribute to the design and operation of ventilation systems in modern laying hen housing.

The effects of space allowance on egg yield, egg quality and plumage condition of laying hens in battery cages

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for &lt;I&gt;ad libitum&lt;/I&gt;. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and 500 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; per hen compared to the other densities (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and 1 000 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.

EFFECTS OF CAGE STOCKING DENSITY ON FEEDING BEHAVIORS OF GROUP-HOUSED LAYING HENS

Quantitative measurement of animal welfare continues to be a challenging task for both the animal agricultureindustry and the scientific community. Characterization of animal feeding behavior provides a comparative elucidation ofthe animals behavioral deviation from its norms and thus carries implications for its welfare. This study examines the effectsof cage stocking density (348, 387, 426, and 465 cm2; or 54, 60, 66, and 72 in.2 cage floor space per hen) on feeding behaviorof W-36 White Leghorn laying hens kept in groups of six hens. The study employed a specialized instrumentation system andcomputational algorithm. The results revealed no significant difference among the stocking densities under thermoneutralconditions with regard to the following: daily feed intake (97 to 101 g/hen, p = 0.37), daily feeding time per hen (3.0 to4.0 h/day, p = 0.32), number of meals ingested per day per cage (117 to 181 meals/day, p = 0.18), meal size (1.6 to2.6 g/meal-hen, p = 0.09), meal duration (174 to 258 s/meal, p = 0.40), ingestion rate (0.47 to 0.77 g/min-hen, p = 0.06),and number of hens feeding per meal (1.9 to 2.0 hens/meal, p = 0.72). However, there was a trend that hens under the 465 cm2(72 in.2) stocking density displayed a greater meal size and ingestion rate. A field-scale study further investigating the effectsof conventional vs. newly recommended (and voluntarily adopted) stocking densities on commercial egg layers seemswarranted.

The Effect of Cage Stocking Density on Growth, Slaughtering and Carcass Characteristics of Rock Partridges (A. Graeca)

This study was made to determine the effect of cage stocking density on growth, feed consumption and, slaughter and carcass characteristics of rock partridges (A. Graeca). In the study, 135 rock partridge chicks at 4 weeks of age were separated into 3 different placing groups (Two sub groups of 25, two subgroups of 20 and three subgroups of 15 partidges). Group I was gathered in an area of 25 partridges/m , 2 Group II in an area of 20 partridges/m and Group III in an area of 15 partridges/m . As a result, in Groups 2 2 I, II and III, partridge weights were found to be 453.06, 446.04 and 444.36 g, feed benefit ratios were 5.84, 6.26 and 6.10; life strength values were 92.00%, 95.00% and 91.11%; carcass output were 72.11%, 72.42% and 73.68%, respectively . The differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Cage stocking density was there fore observed not to have an effect on these parameters.

Age dependent effects of space limitation and social tension on open-field behavior in male rats

Cage stocking density can be manipulated by changing in cage size and group size in the cage. The effects of these two factors were investigated in three developmental stages in male rats: juvenile, post-pubertal, and adult. An open-field test was conducted to measure exploratory behavior which was influenced by levels of activity, anxiety, and exploration. When the cage size was decreased, juvenile rats displayed decreased locomotion and lower propensity for exploration, whereas such changes were not evident in post-pubertal rats. When the group size was increased, adult rats exhibited higher locomotion. However, these factors did not affect risk assessment behavior of rats in these developmental stages. Thus, it appears that the effect of stocking density differs depending on the developmental stage of the animal: Juvenile rats increased anxiety following limiting space, whereas adult rats increased activity following increase in social tension.

VENTILATION RATES OF A LAYING HEN HOUSE BASED ON NEW VS. OLD HEAT AND MOISTURE PRODUCTION DATA

Heat and moisture production rates inside animal confinement provide the basis for design and operation of thebuilding ventilation system. This article describes ventilation rate (VR) requirement by a modern high-rise layer (Hy-LineW-36 breed) house based on sensible heat and moisture production rates (SHP, MP) that were newly collected at the birdlevel or room level designated as the new data vs. those collected some years ago designated as the old data. The effectsof bird stocking density on VR and balance temperature, tbal (outside temperature below which supplemental heat is neededto maintain the target house temperature) were also examined. The VR values cover an outdoor air temperature range of-25.C to 20.C (-13.F to 68.F) at 5.C (9.F) increments, an outdoor relative humidity (RHo) range of 20% to 70%, and indoorRH (RHi) of 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80%. Use of the old room-level SHP and MP led to a 10% higher VR for temperature controlbut a 18% lower VR for moisture control, as compared with use of the new data. Similarly, use of the old bird-level SHP andMP led to a 5% higher and a 57% lower VR for temperature and moisture control, respectively. These outcomes arose fromthe lower SHP but higher MP of modern layers and their housing systems. The results reaffirm the need to use updatedroom-level SHP and MP in ventilation design and operation of production housing systems. A 31% reduction in cage stockingdensity by increasing floor space from 355 to 465 cm2/hen (55 to 72 in.2/hen) would reduce VR for temperature control by6% to 8% and elevate tbal by 1.0.C to 2.4.C (1.8.F to 4.3.F) for a target house temperature of 15.C to 25.C (59.F to77.F)and RHi of 50%. The elevation in tbal can be compensated by temporarily raising RHi setpoint when copying with unusuallycold weather.

Housing and welfare in laboratory rats: effects of cage stocking density and behavioural predictors of welfare

Using male and female Alderley Park (Wistar-derived) rats housed in single-sex groups in standard laboratory cages, we looked at the effect of group size (one, three, five or eight) on competitive behaviour and time budgeting (initial and longer term), changes in their serum testosterone (males), corticosterone and antibody concentrations, and organ pathology at age 16 weeks, together with the interrelationships between behavioural measures and pathophysiological indices of social stress. Group size had only limited long-term effects on overall time budgeting and did not affect pathophysiological responses, although there were highly significant differences between individuals in replicate cage groups. Pathophysiology within both sexes showed strong and highly specific correlations with a small subset of behaviours suggesting frustrated attempts to escape from cages, including chewing the cage bars. Escape-related behaviour also correlated strongly with one component of competitive behaviour, Aggressive Grooming within both sexes, although Aggressive Grooming correlated with pathophysiological responses only among males. Females generally showed greater escape-related behaviour associated with greater signs of pathophysiology regardless of the level of aggression shown between cagemates. Major differences in intercorrelated behavioural and pathophysiological responses between replicate groups implied that the individual composition of groups rather than their size had the greater impact on the welfare of the rats, especially among females. This may be consistent with adaptive sex differences in their competitive reproductive strategies. The frequency of apparent escape-related behaviours and Aggressive Grooming, particularly when rats are first introduced into their cage groups, may provide a simple assessment of the welfare implications of particular cage groupings.

Profit-Maximizing Stocking Rates for Channel Catfish in Cages

A production function for catfish in cages was estmated by combining data from a survey of producers in Alabama with data from experimental studies in Texas, South Carolina, and Alabama. Explanatory variables in the quadratic model included cage stocking density, fingerling size, length of growing season, feed conversion rate, squared and cross-product terms, and dummy variables for data sources. Model R2 was 87%. Profit-maximizing stocking densities were calculated for varying levels of growing season duration, fingerling size, fingerling price and market price. Optimal stocking density was shown to be most sensitive to length of growing season.

Effects of Pullet-Stocking Density on Performance of Laying Hens

Effects of cage-stocking density during the rearing period on three commercial strains housed in open and closed rearing and laying houses were examined in two experiments. Stocking densities in Experiment 1 were 311, 259, and 239 cm2 per bird and in Experiment 2 were 311, 259, and 222 cm2 per bird.In the rearing period, greater stocking densities significantly reduced feed intake and 18-wk body weight and increased age at 50% production. In the second experiment, mortality to 20 wk was higher among birds reared at 222 cm2 per bird compared to the less dense treatments.In the laying phase of the experiments, there were no differences among the treatments in number of eggs per bird housed, layer mortality or kilograms of feed consumed per kilograms of egg produced. Final (499 days) body weight of hens reared at 222 cm2 per bird was significantly less than that of those in the other treatment groups. Egg weight of birds reared at 22 cm2 per bird was significantly greater than that of birds reared at 311 cm per bird in Experiment 2. Calculated incomes over feed and chick costs were not different among the treatments in either experiment. A less rapid decline in egg production was noted among birds reared at the highest stocking density over the time of the experiment.

Cage Size and Stocking Density for Laying Hens

(1971). Cage Size and Stocking Density for Laying Hens. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 350-356.