Deep Litter Housing System Research Articles

Impacts of access to legume- or grass-based pasture on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load of laying hens

Despite the plethora of studies on the impacts of access to runs on chickens, there is a paucity of information on the welfare and behavioural repertoire of hens raised in the deep litter houses with or without access to legume- or grass-based pasture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of access to grass or legume pastures by laying hens on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load. The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of exposure of egg-type chickens to runs on grass or legume pastures on their welfare and behaviours. The study involved the use of 240 ISA brown pullets from 12 weeks of age and and lasted for 48 weeks. The treatments were deep litter housing with grass-based pasture run (PG), deep litter housing with legume-based pasture run (PL) and deep litter housing without runs (LD) having 80 pullets with four replicates of twenty birds each. Behavioural observations of the hens in each pen were made at 52 weeks of age and tonic immobility was assessed by making the birds lie on their back with their head resting in a U-shaped wooden cradle. The measurements of the respiratory rate and rectal temperature of the hens were assessed at 1:00 p.m. at different laying phases. The gastrointestinal and egg bacterial counts were conducted at 60 weeks of age. Results revealed that the proportion of time spent eating was highest (p < 0.05) in the deep litter housing system, while the legume and grass pasture were similar. The hens spent most of their time standing and eating in the three treatments. However, the time spent standing in PL and PG was similar but significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in LD. Results on tonic immobility duration showed that the time spent by the hens in LD during the reaction was significantly longer than those of the PL and PG in the first, second and third phases of the experiments. However, the time spent by the hens in PL and PG was similar. The rectal temperatures of PL and PG birds were comparable and higher than those of LD during the second phase. On the other hand, there was no difference in the respiratory rate. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) of the hens did not follow a consistent pattern. The bacterial count in the large intestine in LD and PL was similar but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the PG. It was concluded that access to pasture influenced the behaviours of hens and that tonic immobility duration was shorter in the hens on the pasture, suggesting that access to pasture favoured hens’ welfare.

Effects of housing systems and laying phases on external and internal egg quality characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl hens.

The study investigated the effect of housing system and laying phases on the internal and external qualities of guinea fowl eggs laid in three different housing systems. The trial involved the use of 117, 34-wk-old guinea fowl hens which were assigned to three housing types, which were battery cages, deep litter, and deep litter housing systems with free runs, which had the same dimensions as deep litter houses but with free run and open-air space to allow the birds to have free access to soil and exhibit natural behavior. The laying phases of the birds were partitioned into three (36 to 40, 41 to 45, and 46 to 50wk of age). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a 2×3 factorial design. The findings demonstrated that both housing type and laying period significantly influenced egg quality parameters, with deep litter housing exhibiting higher egg weight, egg breadth, and shell surface area. Battery cage housing had thicker shells and a higher percentage of shell weight than total egg weight. As the birds aged, most parameters increased, while shell thickness decreased. The interaction between housing type and laying period played a crucial role, with egg weight, breadth, and egg shape index increasing as the birds aged. The shell thickness decreased as the laying period progressed across all housing systems. During the 40 to 45wk period of lay, they exhibited the highest albumen height, haugh unit, and % yolk weight. The study's findings highlight how the interaction between the housing system and the laying period impacted the internal quality of guinea fowl eggs.

Meat Quality of Crossbred (Hampshire × Assam Local) Pigs Reared in Deep Litter Housing System: A Comparison with Pigs Reared in Conventional Concrete Floor

Meat Quality of Crossbred (Hampshire × Assam Local) Pigs Reared in Deep Litter Housing System: A Comparison with Pigs Reared in Conventional Concrete Floor

Exploring Small-Scale Broiler Farming Practices and Vaccine Adherence: A Study in Aguata, Nigeria

The study ascertained the production practices of small-scale broiler farmers in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the random selection of 80 farmers using a structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result reveals that 87.5% of the farmers adopted a deep litter housing system, and 98.75% ensured their poultry houses were sited in well-drained soil and properly ventilated pens. About 93% and 98% of the farmers had brooding and finishing houses separately on their farms and ensured adequate lighting and heat in their brooding houses, respectively. The result shows that 100% and 93.75% of the respondents administered antibiotics and multivitamins at the early stage of day-old chicks and adhered to the Gumboro and Lasota vaccine schedules, respectively, while only 1.25% of the farmers provided a footbath at the entry of their poultry house. All the farmers used broiler starters and finishers in feeding their birds, and the mean weekly duration of broiler starter and finisher feeding was 4.09 and 4.28 weeks, respectively, while 98.75% ensured to always provide water for their birds. The study concluded that the use of recommended production practices was high to some extent among farmers. Hence, the level of information on broiler production practices should be increased by the government extension service unit to enable farmers to keep abreast of current and necessary information on broiler production. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2023-05-01-03 Full Text: PDF

Health-Based Welfare Indicators and Fear Reaction of Slower Growing Broiler Compared to Faster Growing Broiler Housed in Free Range and Conventional Deep Litter Housing Systems

ABSTRACT This study investigated the welfare of a slow-growing broiler with a commercially available fast-growing breed housed in a free-range and conventional deep litter housing system. There were four main groups (2 genotypes x 2 housing systems), and each main group consisted of 5 replicates. Ante-mortem and postmortem health-based welfare indicators wıth fear reactıons and distribution of severity of them in 200 male chicks (100 slow growing, 100 fast growing) were investigated. All welfare parameters investigated were found to be significantly different between both broiler genotypes. No significant differences were detected for all broiler welfare parameters between the two housing systems. There were significant genotype x housing system interactions for breast dirtiness and feather cover of the birds (P < 0.001). In conclusion, it can be said that slow-growing broilers express more health-based indicators of positive welfare, and they might be more suitable for free-range broiler meat production. Planning further studies especially in commercial conditions that take into account economic efficiency as well as animal welfare and growth performance would be very beneficial.

Effects of housing systems on behavioural assessment, bone morphometry and faecal egg counts of broiler chickens

Animals that are well-managed thrive and produce better than those kept under conditions which do not take full consideration of their behavioural and welfare needs. This experiment was conducted with one hundred and eighty unsexed one day-old Marshall and Arbor Acre breeds of broiler chickens to investigate the effects of housing systems on behavioural assessment, bone morphometry and faecal egg counts. The birds were brooded for three weeks and acclimatized for one week in their respective housing systems. Each of the housing systems (deep litter and outdoor run) was allotted 90 birds with 45 chicks per breed in three replicates of 15 birds each after balancing for body weights. The birds were fed same quality and quantity of feed and water ad libitum throughout the period of the experiment which lasted for four weeks. Data were collected on behavioural observations, bone morphometry and faecal samples were analyzed to determine the helminthes egg per gram. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial layout in a completely randomized design. The results of behavioural assessment showed that the two breeds of broiler chickens expressed more (p&lt;0.05) of their natural instincts in the outdoor run compared with their counterparts on deep litter housing system. Irrespective of breeds, birds reared on outdoor run had higher (p&lt;0.05) bone strength (14.61N/mm2) compared with those on deep litter (10.68N/mm 2). Also, the result of faecal egg counts showed that broiler chickens reared on deep litter had a higher incidence of intestinal helminthes compared with those managed on outdoor run. It was concluded that outdoor run could be adopted to enhance more expression of natural behaviours, better bone strength and reduced incidence of intestinal helminthes in Marshall and Arbor Acre breeds of broiler chickens.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Eimeria species in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabbits. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of rabbit coccidiosis in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Fecal samples were examined using the floatation technique (positive samples were sporulated for identification of the different Eimeria species). 169 out of 215 (78.6%,) rabbits were found to be infected with Eimeria species. A total of seven Eimeria species (Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria irresidua, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria magna, Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria stiedai and Eimeria flavescens) were identified. Of these, Eimeria coecicola was the most prevalent (48/215; 22.3%), while E. flavescens (8/215; 3.7%) was the least prevalent. Weaners (80.0%) were more infected than bunnies (79.1%) and adult (77.5%). Females had a higher infection rate (79.4%) than males (77.4%). Californian breed were more infected (84.9%) compared to Chinchila (83.7%), Dutch breed (80.9%), and New Zealand White (63.6%). Rabbits kept in the deep litter housing system had higher prevalence rate (95.2%) compared to those raised in the battery cage system (71.9%). Coccidiosis was more prevalent during the wet season than the dry season. This study concludes that Eimeria infections of rabbit is endemic in Ilorin, Kwara State with breeds and housing type been significant risk factors associated with the infection. This study provides the baseline information as the first report on the different Eimeria species affecting rabbits in Nigeria.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BATTERY CAGE AND DEEP LITTER POULTRY HOUSINGSYSTEMS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was centered on the comparative analysis of battery cage and deep litter poultry housing systems in Abia state, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the factors influencing the choice of poultry housing system in the study area; estimated the profitability of battery cage and deep litter system in the area; analyzed the determinants of profit in battery cage and deep litter systems respectively; and examined the constraints faced by poultry farmers in the area. Primary data source was used for the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of 140 respondents. Descriptive statistics like frequency, tables, charts, etc; profitability index (cost and returns analysis) and multiple regression were the tools of analysis. From the cost and return analysis, it was observed that both housing systems are profitable. The t test result showed that housing system adopted for poultry farms have an effect on the profit. However, it was observed that farmers using deep litter system make more profit when compared to battery cage housing system. It was observed that battery cage system is more capital intensive when compared to deep litter system and this predisposes most famers to favour deep litter housing system to battery cage system. Sex, marital status, education, mortality rate, cost of production, farm size, experience and access to credit were significant variables having varying effects on the profit of battery cage users while sex, household size, education, mortality, cost of production, farm size, experience were the significant variables influencing the returns of deep litter users in the study area. High cost of feeds, inadequate amenities, high interest rates, quality of stock etc. where the major constraints of poultry production in the area. The study recommends that governments should subsidize the cost of feeds to make it affordable for farmers in the study area

Effects of different floor housing systems on the welfare of fast-growing broilers with an extended fattening period

Abstract. This study was made to investigate the long-term effects of different floor housing systems on the welfare of fast-growing broilers. The experiment was performed on 210-day-old fast-growing hybrid male chickens with identical conditions until 47 days of age. Animal-based welfare parameters were measured to investigate the welfare level in the group housed on deep litter, a litter and slat system, and a slatted floor, with five replicates for each group. Results showed that the main welfare indicators in live birds, such breast dirtiness, plumage score, footpad lesion, and hock burn lesion, were negatively affected in broilers kept on conventional deep-litter floor housing. But hemorrhage or lesion scores of the breast and shoulder of broilers in slat floor housing were found to be significantly greater than in conventional deep litter as a result of a heavy body weight at a greater slaughter age (p&lt;0.05). Pathologically, the prevalence of footpad and hock joint dermatitis was very high in the deep-litter housing system. Femoral head necrosis was not observed in any floor housing group. The results indicated that keeping broilers on a slat flooring system is preferable for younger slaughter ages and for a lighter slaughter weight. When considering the relationship between animal welfare and production economy, moving from one floor house system to another floor housing system should be carefully weighted in future decisions. Moreover, further investigations are needed in order to examine the incidence of joint and bone problems with muscle inflammation in heavier broilers in commercial conditions.

External Quality Assessment of Table Eggs Produced Under Cage and Deep Litter Housing Systems of Genesis Poultry Farm, Bishoftu, Ethiopia

The present study was designed to assess the External Quality Assessment of Table Eggs Produced in cage and deep litter poultry housing systems. The study was under taken during a period of six months (November to May), on Genesis commercial poultry farm, which is found in Bishoftu town. A total of 1200 eggs from both housing systems were studied for physical characteristics. The results showed that there were highly significant (p<0.05) difference regarding egg cleanness between age groups, but eggs shape and size defects were not significantly associated with age in both housing systems. Percentage results of 1200 egg sampled from cage and deep litter housing system revealed that 16.6% and 20.2% table eggs were lost due to deterioration from cage and deep litter housing systems respectively. In conclusion, both housing system under study revealed very small (negligible) abnormal size and shape. Therefore; awareness about the management and carefully handling practice of eggs should be organized to create well-informed poultry farms and consumers to maintain egg quality then offer safe and good quality eggs for consumption.

Performance Evaluation of Fattening Pigs under Deep Litter Housing System Employing Effective Microbial Technology

Performance Evaluation of Fattening Pigs under Deep Litter Housing System Employing Effective Microbial Technology

Effect of deep litter housing and fermented feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of crossbred Hampshire pigs.

Aim:The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of deep litter housing and fermented feed on carcass characteristics and meat quality of crossbred Hampshire pigs.Materials and Methods:Forty-eight weaned crossbred Hampshire piglets of 2 months age (24 males and 24 females) were selected for the experiment. The piglets were randomly assigned into 4 homogenous experimental groups with 6 males and 6 females each: E1; reared on a conventional housing and fed with a fermented diet, E2; reared on a deep litter housing system and fed with a fermented diet, E3; reared on a deep litter housing system and fed with a conventional diet and C; reared on a conventional housing system and fed with a conventional diet. The study was continued up to 32 weeks of age and at the end of this period, 6 animals (3 males and 3 females) from each experimental group were slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality characteristics.Results:Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage were significantly (p<0.01) affected by feeding fermented diet and deep litter housing while carcass traits, i.e., carcass length, backfat thickness, and loin eye area were not affected. The edible offal; liver and heart weight (p<0.05) differed significantly while kidney weight showed no difference. The inedible offal; head weight (p<0.01) and lung weight revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) while spleen and stomach weight showed no difference among the experimental groups. The wholesale cuts and meat: bone ratio of pigs also differed significantly among the groups. Morphometry of small and large intestine also showed a significant difference. Chemical composition of pork viz., moisture and total ash content was influenced by the treatment, while crude protein and ether extract content were not affected. Mineral composition of pork also showed no significant difference. Color characteristics of Longissimus dorsi muscle showed a significant difference in L* and a* value while parameter b* was not affected. The tenderness of meat showed significant difference among the groups (p<0.01).Conclusion:Crossbred Hampshire pigs being reared on fermented feed and deep litter housing could produce highlygraded carcass and improvement in meat quality.

Effects of Poultry Species and Housing Types on the Poultry Wastes Physco-Chemical Characteristics

Adequate information on the characteristics of wastes generated from poultry production particularly in the tropical region is lacking. This study investigated and characterized the wastes of different poultry species which included broiler, cockerel and layer with each under battery cage and or deep litter housing systems. As part of waste management study, this work evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of poultry waste which are needed in the planning and design of components of waste management systems such as handling, transport processing and storage. The results of the tests indicated that wastes collected from battery cage system contain higher values in chemical composition than those from deep litter houses. Physical components of wastes from deep litter are however, higher in values than that of battery cage systems. The broiler wastes recorded the highest values in parameters such as Total solid (14.0mg/l) , Fixed solids (9.1mg/l) and Total dissolved solid (3.9mg/l); for deep litter house; and then dissolved oxygen (2.0mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (120.7mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (241.3mg/l), Nitrogen (432.3ppm), phosphorus (233.3ppm), potassium (343.3ppm) and Amoniacal Nitrogen (56ppm) , under battery cage system. Layer wastes recorded the highest values for moisture contents (45.3%), volatile solid (9.4%) and pH (8.2) under battery cage system. The results of the analyses of variance (ANOVA) indicate that poultry species and housing systems have high significant effect on all the parameters tested at 1% probability level.Keywords: Poultry waste, characterization, housing types, bird species, physco-chemical properties

Lagerung von Festmist in der Feldflur auf unbefestigtem Untergrund

In Germany around 25 % of cattle and 10 % of pigs are kept in straw-bedded housing with resultant annual production of some 32 million tonnes of solid manure. Apart from that produced in deep litter housing systems, this manure is normally continually removed to solidbased storage near the respective livestock buildings. In exceptional cases it may be necessary to deposit manure on an intermediate basis out in the fields on unprepared surfaces. Currently there are no uniform recommendations from the specific authorities in Germany regarding such intermediate storage of solid manure. This paper describes the existing requirements in this respect from the aspects of soil and water protection.

Modelling of manure production by pigs and NH3, N2O and CH4 emissions. Part II: effect of animal housing, manure storage and treatment practices

A model has been developed to predict pig manure evolution (mass, dry and organic matter, N, P, K, Cu and Zn contents) and related gaseous emissions (methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3)) from pig excreta up to manure stored before spreading. This model forms part of a more comprehensive model including the prediction of pig excretion. The model simulates contrasted management systems, including different options for housing (slatted floor or deep litter), outside storage of manure and treatment (anaerobic digestion, biological N removal processes, slurry composting (SC) with straw and solid manure composting). Farmer practices and climatic conditions, which have significant effects on gaseous emissions within each option, have also been identified. The quantification of their effects was based on expert judgement from literature and local experiments, relations from mechanistic models or simple emission factors, depending on existing knowledge. The model helps to identify relative advantages and weaknesses for each system. For example, deep-litter with standard management practices is associated with high-greenhouse gas (GHG) production (+125% compared to slatted floor) and SC on straw is associated with high NH3 emission (+15% compared to slatted floor). Another important result from model building and first simulations is that farmer practices and the climate induce an intra-system (for a given infrastructure) variability of NH3 and GHG emissions nearly as high as inter-system variability. For example, in deep-litter housing systems, NH3 and N2O emissions from animal housing may vary between 6% and 53%, and between 1% and 19% of total N excreted, respectively. Thus, the model could be useful to identify and quantify improvement margins on farms, more precisely or more easily than current methodologies.

The effect of keeping technology on the microbiological status of raw milk

The importance of the quality of raw milk increased after Hungary had joined to the EU. On delivery of raw milk, the microbiological quality, especially total plate count of the milk is very important. Twenty-two farms (7 large, 4 medium-sized, and 11 small farms) were included in the study. We considered the different farm size, keeping- and milking circumstances during the selection of farms. The examined large farms use loose housing system (cubicle, deep litter) and milking parlour. Most of them use preand post-milking disinfection. In the medium-sized farms, loose,deep litter and tie-stall housing system, as well as milking parlour, pipeline milking and bucket milking occurred. All of them use preand post-milking disinfection. Small farms use tie-stall housing system, bucket milking and udder preparation by water. Unfortunately, they do not use pre- or post-milking disinfection. In the large and medium-sized farms mainly Holstein Friesian, in the small farms Hungarian Simmental breeds can be found.The aim of our research was to examine the microbiological status of the raw milk produced in dairy farms (total plate count, coliform count, Escherichia coli count, Staphylococcus aureus count, psychrotroph bacteria count, furthermore yeast and mold count); sources of the contamination; connection between the microbiological quality of produced milk and housing-, milking technologies of farms; furthermore the hygienic circumstances of milking and milk handling of the farms, by the examination of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli contamination.During the examination of the connection between the different farm sizes, various housing- and milking forms and the microbiological characteristics we observed similar tendencies in the case of total plate count, coliform count, yeast and molds count, furthermore psychrotroph bacteria count. The value of these parameters was significantly higher in small farms, and infarms which use tie-stall housing forms, bucket milking, udder preparation with water, and which do not use pre- and post-milking disinfection.The results showed that besides cooling, the milking procedure and the type of udder preparation had the largest effect on the total plate count. Statistical analysis shows that in medium and small farms the combination of pipeline milking – tie stall housing system – disinfectant preparation of the udder; in large farms the combination of milking parlour – loose cubicle housing system – dry preparation of the udder are the most appropriate in the aspect of the total plate count. We experienced that in farms where the hygienic instructions are not followed – and thereforeequipment used during the milking and handling of milk is very contaminated – or rather the separation of mastitic cows’ milk is not appropriate, different microorganisms may contaminate the produced milk.

Performance of Floor Reared White Leghorn Layer on Different Stocking Density and Feed Restriction Regimes

Increase in feed prices in recent years has stimulated renewed interest in the area of fee d restriction and simultaneously the birds have to provide space for feeding, watering and normal movements for their optimum growth and production. Thus, a great emphasis has been laid on feeding system, which employs the use of quantitative or qualitative feed restriction. During growing phase 468 White Leghorn (WLH) birds from random bred control population housed on deep litter housing system were exposed to three feeding regimes viz. T (ad lib.), T (Skip-two-days a week) and T (75% of ad lib.) on three different 1 2 3 stocking densities viz. S (2.5 ft /bird; 20 birds/pen), S (2.0 ft /bird; 25 birds/pen) and S (1.5 ft /bird; 33 1 2 3 2 2 2

A Comparative Economic Analysis of Mash and Pelleted Feed in Broiler Production under Deep Litter Housing System

A Comparative Economic Analysis of Mash and Pelleted Feed in Broiler Production under Deep Litter Housing System

SE—Structures and Environment: Penetration Resistance and Water-Holding Capacity of Differently Conditioned Straw for Deep Litter Housing Systems

Recently, litter systems in animal husbandry are gaining attention again due to aspects of animal welfare, environmental issues and low investment costs. In most of these animal housing systems, straw is being used as bedding material. The best storage form and conditioning for this straw is examined critically by determining both the stability of manure mattresses comprising differently treated straw litter and the water-holding capacity of the straw litter. The behaviour of straw bedding in housing systems was tested in a field experiment with 39 heifers in a deep straw system. The use of chopped straw did not reduce significantly the litter consumption, but led to lower manure mattresses. The stability of the manure mattresses in the pens was determined by using a newly developed measuring device. The mattress firmness decreased with time, while both chopping and intensive conditioning also reduced the mattress stability. While chopping or grinding of straw had no positive effect on the water absorption, the conditioning effect of modern baling techniques increased the water absorption significantly.From the results of these tests, the use of chopped straw as litter in housing systems with deep manure mattresses or sloping floors cannot be recommended. Attention also has to be paid to the conditioning effect of the modern threshing and baling techniques.

Volatilization of Ammonia in Deep-litter Systems with Different Bedding Materials for Young Cattle

Ammonia volatilization from animal husbandry contribute to the total nitrogen deposition, causing acidification and eutrophication. The objective of this investigation was to compare ammonia volatilization from deep-litter housing systems using different bedding material and to compare the ammonia volatilization from the beds with that from the manure alley. Four different bedding materials were compared; long straw, chopped straw (with and without an additive) and a mixture with 60% peat and 40% chopped straw. The effect of an additive containing sea algae and vegetable oils on ammonia emission was evaluated. The experiments were conducted during a six-month period in four bedded pens with a manure alley for young cattle. The ammonia emission rate from the beds and the manure alley, the temperature in the beds, the chemical composition of the bedding materials, the thickness of the beds and the cleanliness of the cattle were determined in the investigation. Six ventilated chambers were used to measure the ammonia emission rate.The ammonia emission rate from the bed with a bedding mixture of 60% peat and 40% chopped straw (dry matter weight) was significantly less than from the beds with long straw or chopped straw. The mixture of peat and chopped straw was estimated to reduce the ammonia emission by 57% compared with long straw. The ammonia emission rate from the manure alley (solid floor) was significantly less than from the bedding area with long straw or chopped straw as bedding material. From the manure alley, the ammonia emission was estimated to be 40% of the emission from the bedding area with long straw. The additive evaluated did not have any effect on the ammonia rate. It was also found that the temperature was an important factor for ammonia emission rate.