Effect Of Housing System Research Articles

Effects of housing system on the costs of commercial egg production

This article reports the first publicly available egg production costs compared across 3 hen-housing systems. We collected detailed data from 2 flock cycles from a commercial egg farm operating a conventional barn, an aviary, and an enriched colony system at the same location. The farm employed the same operational and accounting procedures for each housing system. Results provide clear evidence that egg production costs are much higher for the aviary system than the other 2 housing systems. Feed costs per dozen eggs are somewhat higher for the aviary and lower for the enriched house compared with the conventional house. Labor costs are much lower for the conventional house than the other 2, and pullet costs are much higher for the aviary. Energy and miscellaneous costs are a minimal part of total operating costs and do not differ by housing system. Total capital investments per hen-capacity are much higher for the aviary and the enriched house. Capital costs per dozen eggs depend on assumptions about appropriate interest and depreciation rates. Using the same 10% rate for each housing system shows capital costs per dozen for the aviary and the enriched housing system are much higher than capital costs per dozen for the conventional house. The aviary has average operating costs (feed, labor, pullet, energy, and miscellaneous costs that recur for each flock and vary with egg production) about 23% higher and average total costs about 36% higher compared with the conventional house. The enriched housing system has average operating costs only about 4% higher compared with the conventional house, but average total costs are 13% higher than for the conventional house.

Effect of rearing environment on bone growth of pullets

Alternative housing systems for laying hens provide mechanical loading and help reduce bone loss. Moreover, achieving greater peak bone mass during pullet phase can be crucial to prevent fractures in the production period. The aim of this study was to determine the housing system effects on bone quality of pullets. Tibiae and humeri of White Leghorn pullets reared in conventional cages (CCs) and a cage-free aviary (AV) system were studied. At 16 wk, 120 birds at random from each housing system were euthanized. Right and left tibiae and humeri were collected and further analyzed. Cortical bone density and thickness were measured using computed tomography. Periosteal and endosteal dimensions were measured at the fracture site during mechanical testing. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk, serum concentrations of osteocalcin and hydroxylysyl pyridinoline were analyzed as markers of bone formation and resorption. Cortical bone density was higher (P < 0.05) in humeri of AV pullets, and tibiae were denser (P < 0.05) for AV pullets in the distal section of the bone compared to CC pullets. Ash content was higher (P < 0.05) in AV humeri with no difference in tibiae ash content. Tibiae and humeri of AV pullets had a thicker cortex than the CC pullets (P < 0.05). Additionally, the tibiae and humeri of AV pullets had greater (P < 0.05) second moment of areas than the CC pullets. While some bone material properties between groups were different (P < 0.05), the differences were so small (< 7%) that they likely have no clinical significance. Serum osteocalcin concentrations were not different between the treatments, but hydroxylsyl pyridinoline concentrations were higher in CC pullets at 12 wk compared to the AV pullets and the effect reversed at 16 wk (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that tibiae and humeri respond differently to load bearing activities during growth. The improved load bearing capability and stiffness in bones of AV pullets were related to increased cross-sectional geometry.

Effect of dietary supplementation of bacteriophage on growth performance and cecal bacterial populations in broiler chickens raised in different housing systems

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary bacteriophage (BP) on growth performance and cecal bacterial populations in broiler chickens raised in different housing systems. A total of 1170 1-d-old broiler chickens were housed in either battery cages (120 birds) or conventional floor pens (1050 birds). Within each housing system, birds were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 5 replicates. Dietary treatments included basal diets (negative control; NC), basal diets with 0.025g/kg avilamycin (positive control; PC), and basal diets with 0.5g/kg BP mixture (BP5). The mixture of the individual BP targeting at Salmonella gallinarum, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella derby, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens was used in this experiment. Diets were fed to birds for d 35. The effects of housing systems, dietary treatments, and their interactions were analyzed. No interactions for all measurements were observed, and thus, the main effects were presented. During overall experiment, birds raised in battery cages had greater (P<0.01) BW gain (BWG), feed intake, and less (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those raised in floor pens. Greater BWG was observed (P<0.05) for PC treatment than for NC treatment, but those for BP5 treatment had intermediate values between other treatment groups. The FCR was less (P<0.05) for PC and BP5 treatment groups than for NC treatment, but there was no difference between PC treatment and BP5 treatment. For cecal bacterial populations, birds raised in battery cages had less (P<0.05) DNA copy numbers for C. perfringens, but greater (P<0.05) DNA copy numbers for Escherichia coli than those raised in floor pens. The BP5 treatment had less (P<0.05) DNA copy numbers for C. perfringens compared with NC treatment. In conclusion, dietary BP improves growth performance of broiler chickens and decreases targeted pathogenic bacteria populations, especially for C. perfringens in the gastrointestinal tract. This positive effect is likely independent of housing systems.

Influence of housing system on the growth and histological structure of duck muscles

This study was aimed at determining the effect of housing systems on the growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), meatiness and size of muscle fibres of Pekin (P44) and Muscovy (MR71) ducks. Each genetic group included 360 birds (180 males and 180 females). The ducks were divided into four experimental groups according to their sex and housing system: intensive system (IS) and outdoor system (OS). A significant effect of housing system on the final body weight and FCR value was noted only in P44 birds of both sexes, with OS birds having higher body weights than the IS birds. As a result, the OS MR71 drakes were characterized by a significantly higher slaughter yield, weight and content of breast muscles in the carcass. The OS MR71 ducks showed a lower slaughter yield and a higher content of leg muscles in the carcass compared to IS MR71 ducks. In contrast, the housing system had no significant effect on the meatiness of P44 ducks. A greater diameter of muscle fibres in both sexes of P44 ducks and in both sexes of MR71 ducks was observed in the OS compared to IS flocks. A greater cross section of muscle fibres was also noted in the ducks from the OS system, however with significant differences confirmed only in pectoralis superficialis and biceps femoris in MR71 drakes as well as in the biceps femoris of P44 drakes. These data show differences between duck genotypes and indicate the efficiency and potential of outdoor poultry systems.Keywords: Poultry production; outdoor system; intensive system; Pekin; Muscovy

Effect of housing system on reproductive results in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus L.)

A comparative analysis of reproduction parameters and hatchability results of pheasants raised under two different housing systems (cages and aviaries) was performed. In the first system the pheasants were housed in 420 cages, 3780 from the total were females. In the second housing system, 3200 pheasant hens were placed in eight aviaries, where 50 cocks and 400 hens were kept in each. The following parameters were calculated: laying rate, the percentage of hatching, small and cracked eggs, hatchability from set and fertilized eggs, dead embryos up to day 8 of incubation and, finally, dead embryos after day 8 of incubation as well as unhatched, crippled, and weak chicks. The laying rate for the whole period of reproduction in pheasants kept in cages was significantly higher in comparison with aviaries (59.6 vs 27.2%). A higher (P &amp;le; 0.05) percentage of small and damaged eggs (&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;= 13.6) was recorded in aviaries. The percentage of dead embryos for eggs derived from aviaries, up to day 8 of incubation, was also significantly higher (&amp;ndash;x = 4.7%). There were no significant differences between the housing systems with respect to the remaining features. The results of the investigation made it possible to conclude that pheasants kept in cages were characterized by a higher laying performance with fewer eggs unsuitable for incubation. A lower mortality of embryos during the incubation process was found in eggs derived from pheasants reared in cages. Although there were no significant differences between the analyzed housing systems in terms of hatchability, a higher laying rate for pheasants kept in cages implies that more chicks could be obtained from every female.

The effect of housing system on egg quality of Lohmann white and Czech hen

DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.02.44–46 Received 7. May 2014 ǀ Accepted 3. June 2014 ǀ Available online 23. June 2014 The effect of housing systems (conventional cages and litter) and genotype (Czech hen and Lohmann) on egg quality was investigated. The totals of 1500 eggs were analysed. A significant interaction between housing system and genotype was found in shape index (P ≤ 0.001) and eggshell weight (P ≤ 0.027). The housing system significantly (P ˂ 0.001) affected egg weight. Higher values in Czech hen were detected in litter on other hand in Lohmann were found in cage. Higher egg weight (61.18g vs. 49.19g) and eggshell weight (6.02g vs. 4.79g) was found in Lohmann compared to Czech hen. Shape index (76.46g vs. 75.15g) and deformation (0.31N vs. 0.29N) was higher in eggs from Czech hen compared to Lohmann. Significant interaction between housing system and genotype in albumen weight (P ≤ 0.023), albumen share (P ≤ 0.018), albumen index (P ≤ 0.042) and yolk share (P ≤ 0.034) were detected. Yolk share, yolk index and yolk colour were higher in eggs from Czech hen compared to yolk weight. Keywords : hens, genotype, housing system, egg quality

Housing system influences abundance of Pax3 and Pax7 in postnatal chicken skeletal muscles

Paired box (Pax) proteins 3 and 7 are associated with activation of muscle satellite cells and play a major role in hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth in postnatal skeletal muscle fibers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of housing system on abundance of Pax3 and Pax7 in postnatal chicken skeletal muscles. At 42 d, 1,200 chickens with similar BW were randomly assigned to cage, pen, and free-range group. The mRNA abundance was measured in pectoralis major and thigh muscle at d 56, 70, and 84, and the protein expression was quantified at d 84. Increases in mRNA abundance of PAX3 and PAX7 with age were less pronounced in caged system chickens than in pen and free-range chickens from d 56 to 84, and free-range chickens showed a more pronounced increase in gene expression with age compared with penned chickens. At d 84, quantities of PAX3 and PAX7 mRNA and protein were highest in both pectoralis major and thigh muscle of chickens raised in the free-range group, lowest in penned chickens, and intermediate in caged chickens (P < 0.05). These data indicate that housing system may influence muscle fiber muscle accretion by coordinating the expression of Pax3 and Pax7 in adult chicken skeletal muscles.

Effect of Housing System on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Holstein Cows in a Commercial Herd in Egypt

Effect of Housing System on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Holstein Cows in a Commercial Herd in Egypt

Effect of a commercial housing system on egg quality during extended storage

Egg producers in the United States are utilizing a variety of commercial egg production systems to provide consumer choice and meet legislative requirements. Consumer egg grades in the United States were developed for conventional cage production, and it is unclear what effect alternative production systems might have on egg quality during retail and consumer home storage. The current study was undertaken to determine what changes in egg quality characteristics occur during extended cold storage for commercially produced conventional cage, enriched colony cage, and cage-free aviary eggs. During 12 wk of cold storage, egg weight, albumen height, Haugh unit, static compression shell strength, vitelline membrane strength and deformation, yolk index, shell dynamic stiffness, and whole egg total solids were monitored. Overall, aviary and enriched eggs were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than conventional cage. Albumen height and Haugh unit (P < 0.05) were significantly greater for conventional cage than enriched eggs. Static compression shell strength was greatest (P < 0.05) for enriched eggs compared with aviary. No overall housing system effects for yolk measurements, shell dynamic stiffness, or whole egg total solids were observed. Albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk quality measurements were all greatest at 0 and lowest at 12 wk of storage (P < 0.05). The rate of quality change among the housing systems for each measured attribute at 4, 6, and 12 wk was determined. Other than differences in the change of egg weight at 4 wk, no significant differences in the rate of quality decline were found among the housing systems. The results of the current study indicate that current US egg quality standards should effectively define quality for commercially produced conventional cage, enriched colony cage, and cage-free aviary eggs.

Effect of housing system and genotype on rabbit meat quality

The effect of the housing system on the carcass characteristics, physical parameters of meat quality, fatty acid composition, and muscle fibre characteristics was studied in some Czech breeds. Ninety-six rabbits from seven different breeds of Czech genetic resources (Moravian Blue, Czech White, Czech Solver, Czech Spotted, Moravian White of Brown Eye, Czech Gold, and Czech Black Guard Hair) and one rabbit commercial hybrid (Hyplus), kept in two housing systems: intensive system (wire-net cages) or alternative (straw-bedded pen), were slaughtered at the age of 91 days. Alternatively housed rabbits had lower weight at slaughter, lower weight of loin, of hind legs meat, and of renal fat than rabbits from cages. The interactions between housing system and genotype were reflected significantly in pH value, and lightness and yellowness of biceps femoris. The highest (P &amp;le; 0.047) pH was observed in Hyplus (6.68) from cages, while the lowest value was noted in Moravian White of Brown Eye (6.26). The significantly (P &amp;le; 0.010) lightest meat was detected in Czech Solver (60.93) and the darkest in Czech Gold (47.81). Alternatively reared rabbits showed significantly (P &amp;le; 0.001) lower monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (26.63%) and higher (P &amp;le; 0.001) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (36.73%) contents than rabbits from cages (36.94% MUFA and 26.23% PUFA). The alternatively housed group had also higher n-3 and n-6 PUFA contents and higher PUFA : SFA ratio than the intensively housed one. Significant interactions (P &amp;le; 0.001) were observed in cross sectional area (CSA), diameter, and perimeter of muscle fibres of type I. The largest (P &amp;le; 0.001) CSA of type I muscle fibre had Czech Black Guard Hair from cages (2573.1&amp;nbsp;&amp;mu;m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;), while in pens this breed exhibited the smallest CSA (1219.6 &amp;mu;m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;), diameter (38.68 &amp;mu;m), and perimeter (130.2 &amp;mu;m). Fibre type distribution was not affected by any of the monitored parameters. The effect of interactions of the housing system and genotype was manifested mainly in physical and muscle fibre characteristics. &amp;nbsp;

Parents and early life environment affect behavioral development of laying hen chickens.

Severe feather pecking (SFP) in commercial laying hens is a maladaptive behavior which is associated with anxiety traits. Many experimental studies have shown that stress in the parents can affect anxiety in the offspring, but until now these effects have been neglected in addressing the problem of SFP in commercially kept laying hens. We therefore studied whether parental stock (PS) affected the development of SFP and anxiety in their offspring. We used flocks from a brown and white genetic hybrid because genetic background can affect SFP and anxiety. As SFP can also be influenced by housing conditions on the rearing farm, we included effects of housing system and litter availability in the analysis. Forty-seven rearing flocks, originating from ten PS flocks were followed. Behavioral and physiological parameters related to anxiety and SFP were studied in the PS at 40 weeks of age and in the rearing flocks at one, five, ten and fifteen weeks of age. We found that PS had an effect on SFP at one week of age and on anxiety at one and five weeks of age. In the white hybrid, but not in the brown hybrid, high levels of maternal corticosterone, maternal feather damage and maternal whole-blood serotonin levels showed positive relations with offsprings’ SFP at one week and offsprings’ anxiety at one and five weeks of age. Disruption and limitation of litter supply at an early age on the rearing farms increased SFP, feather damage and fearfulness. These effects were most prominent in the brown hybrid. It appeared that hens from a brown hybrid are more affected by environmental conditions, while hens from a white hybrid were more strongly affected by parental effects. These results are important for designing measures to prevent the development of SFP, which may require a different approach in brown and white flocks.

Effects of Housing Systems on Behaviour, Performance and Welfare of Fast-growing Broilers.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of different housing systems on behavioral activities, welfare and meat quality of fast-growing broilers. Two hundred broilers were allocated into two housing systems: indoor housing vs indoor with outdoor access. Their general behavior (feeding, drinking, fighting, standing, lying, walking, investigating, dust-bathing and preening) was observed, and tonic immobility, fluctuating asymmetry of legs and wings were measured, and meat quality was analyzed. The results showed that the indoor-housed broilers with outdoor access had significant higher standing, walking, investigating, dust-bathing and preening than those indoor only. However, farming system was not found to significantly affect their feeding, drinking and fighting activities (p>0.05). The value of FA of tibia length of the broilers with outdoor access was significantly lower than that of the indoor-housed birds (1.57±1.30 vs 2.76±1.40, p<0.05), while no difference was found for the value of FA in tibia diameter and wing length (p>0.05). TI of the broilers with outdoor access was 165.5 that was significantly higher than that (147.2) of the indoor birds (p<0.05). However, death rate in the outdoor run groups was significantly higher than that of the indoor ones (2.0±0.81 vs 4.0±0.82, p<0.05). Meat quality was not affected by the two farming systems. It can be concluded that the results of this study may suggest that the indoor housing with outdoor access provides enriched environment for broilers and facilitates the expression of natural behaviors of the broilers but resulted in poorer performance and higher death rate.

Effects of Housing Systems on Physiological and Immunological Parameters in Laying Hens

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of housing systems on physiological and immunological responses as stress indicators in laying hens. A total of 500 White Leghorn aged 16 weeks were allotted into ten conventional cages (10 birds/cage and 810 <TEX>$cm^2$</TEX>/bird) and four floor pens (100 birds/pen and 2,800 <TEX>$cm^2$</TEX>/bird) for 24 weeks. The hens housed in conventional cages with higher stocking density resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) lower BW compared with those housed in floor pens with lower stocking density without affecting the relative weights of immune organs between housing conditions. In plasma biochemical values, cholesterol and corticosterone were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the hens housed in floor pens compared with those housed in conventional cages. In pro-inflammatory cytokines, hepatic interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-<TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX>) levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the hens housed in conventional cages compared with those kept in floor pens. Splenic and thymic IFN-<TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX> expression was significantly (P<0.05) up-regulated in the hens kept in conventional cages compared with those kept in floor pens without affecting IL-1, IL-10, lipopolysaccharide- induced tumor necrosis factor-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX> factor (LITAF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In the bursa of Fabricius, IL-10 and iNOS expression of the hens housed in conventional cages were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with those of the hens housed in floor pens. In conclusion, layers housed in conventional cages enhanced plasma cholesterol, corticosterone and some pro-inflammatory cytokines in the immune organs compared with those in floor pens.

Effect of Housing Systems - Barn vs Cage on the First Phase Egg Production and Egg Quality Traits of Laying Pullet

With an increasing concern on laying hen welfare, barn system has appeared as one of the alternatives to replace the conventional cage. This study was conducted to compare the early laying performance and egg quality at the barn system with those at the conventional cage. A total of 288 shaver-579 brown layers were used for 9 weeks (<TEX>$21^{st}$</TEX> to <TEX>$30^{th}$</TEX> weeks of age) feeding study. Feed consumption and egg weight were significantly (P<0.01) higher at barn than at cage. However, there were no significant differences between two housing systems on hen day egg production (HDEP), egg mass, body weight, feed efficiency and livability. In case of egg quality parameters, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly (P<0.05) different between two systems. Haugh unit and albumen height were significantly higher in eggs produced at cage (88.97 and 8.16 mm) compared than those produced at barn (83.11 and 6.87 mm), whereas shell thickness was thicker in eggs produced at barn than those produced at cage. Shape index, breaking strength, blood spots and yolk index data were not influenced significantly by the types of housing system. To implement welfare bestowing production, this study showed that the barn system can replace the conventional cage without serious sacrifices on starting phase egg production. In addition, this study suggested that the barn system need to be optimized in view of daily feed consumption.

Effects of housing system, slaughter age, and sex on slaughter and carcass traits of native Turkish ducks

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different housing systems, slaughter age, and sex on slaughter and carcass traits of native Turkish ducks. A total of 133 ducklings were used. One-day-old ducklings were divided into 2 housing groups, a cage system and a deep litter floor system, under uniform conditions. Housing system significantly affected hot carcass, cold carcass, breast, wing, neck, and back percentages (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001). The results of the current study showed the influence of housing system, sex, and slaughter age on slaughter and carcass traits. The slaughter and carcass traits and feed conversion efficiency were higher in the deep litter floor system than in the cage system for native Turkish ducks. The slaughter and carcass traits of male ducks were higher than those of female ducks. The ideal slaughter weight for native Turkish ducks was reached at 8 weeks, whereas the results for hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, hot carcass percentage, and cold carcass percentage were better at 10 weeks of age. Therefore, it seems most appropriate to slaughter native Turkish ducks at 10 weeks of age.

Production performance and carcass quality of coloured broilers differentiated genetic potential for growth

The study was conducted with the purpose of the comparative analysis of production performance and carcass quality of two coloured broiler genotypes of differentiated genetic potential for growth (Redbro and Redbro Naked Neck) in conditions of intensive feeding, as well as determining the effect of housing system (free range and poultry house) on fattening performance of Redbro broilers. Production performance is presented in the two control periods (days 42 and 84). Carcass quality was analysed at 84 days old broilers based on carcass conformation, yield, share of valuable parts and abdominal fat content. Redbro and Redbro Naked Neck broilers had different growth intensity according to the phases of the experiment, but at the age of 84 days, their body weight did not differ significantly (3382.44g to 3236.0g). Lower efficiency of food utilization (3.08 kg to 2.79 kg) and improved vitality (100 % vs. 97.33 %) was found in Redbro Naked Neck broilers. In terms of carcass quality, there were no significant differences except in the share of wings. The positive impact of growing Redbro broilers in the poultry house was determined on the body weight (p&lt; 0.05), feed efficiency and broiler mortality, which resulted in higher production index (169.83 vs. 140.37) compared to free range reared Redbro chickens. The differences in carcass quality were determined on the basis of better conformation, a small share of the wings but also lower yields of classically dressed carcasses of broilers Redbro reared in the poultry house.

Meta-analysis on the relationship among feeding characteristics, salivary and plasmatic cortisol levels, and performance of pregnant sows housed in different systems

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship among the effects of housing systems, the nutritional composition of diets, and feeding program on performance and concentrations of salivary, and plasmatic cortisol in pregnant sows. The database was composed by 22 articles published from 1996 to 2010, totaling 170 treatments, and 1941 animals. Of the 22 studied articles 12 articles evaluated salivary cortisol, 9 evaluated plasmatic cortisol, and 1 article evaluated both salivary and plasmatic cortisol. The meta-analysis was performed by sequential analysis: graphical, correlation, and variance–covariance. Salivary cortisol was positively correlated (P<0.05) with feed composition, crude protein, total lysine intakes, and lysine level. Plasmatic cortisol was negatively correlated (P<0.01) with metabolizable energy level and positively correlated (P<0.01) with level and intake of crude protein. In groups housing on deep bedding, the salivary cortisol level was 10% higher (P<0.01) in relation to groups housing on concrete floor. The piglet's weight at birth decreased by 0.002kg for each increase of a unit nMolL−1 in plasmatic cortisol (Y=1.6032−0.0002X) or salivary cortisol (Y=1.6026−0.0002X), measured in pregnant sows. The feeding (amount of feed per day) and the housing system (individual or groups) influence the levels of cortisol. Cortisol at high levels reduces the reproductive performance.

계사 사육 형태가 산란계의 생산성과 스트레스 반응에 미치는 영향

계사 사육 형태에 따른 닭의 스트레스 정도를 알아보기 위하여 단관백색레그혼종을 대상으로 케이지 사육 및 평사 사육으로 관리 후 이들의 생산 능력과 스트레스 관련 표지를 비교 분석하였다. 개체의 생산 능력에 있어 생존율, 산란 지수, 난중 및 체중은 평사 사육군이 케이지 사육군에 비해 유의하게 높은 성적을 보였고, 반면 초산 일령 및 난질의 경우 케이지 사육군이 양호한 결과를 나타내었다. 사육 형태에 따른 닭의 스트레스 관련 표지로 형광접합보인법에 의한 텔로미어 함량 분석 및 comet assay에 의한 DNA 손상율을 비교 분석하였다. 텔로미어 함량 분석 결과, 혈액 세포 및 신장, 비장 세포의 경우 평사 사육군이 케이지 사육군에 비해 유의하게 높은 텔로미어 함유율을 보이고, 연령이 증가함에 따라 이의 차이는 더욱 커지는 것으로 나타났다. DNA 손상율은 케이지 사육군이 평사 사육군에 비해 유의하게 높은 손상율을 나타내어 케이지 사육이 평사 사육에 비해 훨씬 높은 스트레스 상태임을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 생존율을 포함한 생산 능력과 스트레스 표지 분석 결과, 산란계에 있어 케이지 사육 방식이 평사 사육 방식보다 개체들에게 생리적 스트레스 요인이 상대적으로 큰 것으로 사료된다. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of housing systems on the productivity and physiological response as stress indicators in White Leghorn chickens. The chickens subjected to the conventional cages had a significantly lower viability, hen-housed egg production, egg weight and body weight compared with those to the floor pens. However, the hens housed in the conventional cages had a shorter day of the first egg and a greater egg quality compared with those housed in the floor pens. In addition, this study was also investigated to identify biological markers for assessing the physiological response of chickens under stress conditions. As biological markers, the amount of telomeric DNA was analyzed by quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization on the nuclei of cells. The DNA damage rate of lymphocytes was also quantified by the comet assay. The amount of telomeric DNA of the lymphocytes, kidney and spleen was significantly higher in the chickens under floor pens than those under conventional cages. The DNA damage also increased in chickens raised under conventional cages, as compared to the chickens under floor pens. As results, we conclude that the chickens housed in conventional cages have a greater stressful status than those housed in floor pens.

Optimising oral fluid collection from groups of pigs: Effect of housing system and provision of ropes

The effective use of pooled oral fluid (OF) in disease surveillance requires that samples are representative of the group. The aim of this study was to develop a 'rope presentation' protocol to maximise the number of different pigs sampled from a pen of animals. Eight pens of grower pigs in 'fully slatted' accommodation (FS) and 'straw-kennels' (SK) were presented with a balanced sequence of 1-4 ropes. Ropes were presented for 60 min, and the chewing time/pig recorded. Oral fluid was extracted from all of the ropes. Rope provided for 60 min generated chewing in >80% of the group. Pigs in SK exhibited longer latency to interact with the rope (P<0.001), reduced percentage of pigs chewing (P<0.001), and a reduced mean total time spent chewing (P<0.001). An interaction was found between 'system' and 'number of ropes provided' (P<0.05). Increasing the number of ropes increased the mean total chewing time/pig only in the FS. The quantity of OF obtained correlated with the percentage of pigs that chewed the rope (P<0.001) and the mean total time spent chewing/pig (P<0.001). Where the group size was ≤25, presenting one rope for 45 min was sufficient to optimise the number of pigs sampled.

Effect of housing system and milk yield on cow fertility

Abstract. The effect of housing system (tethered vs. loose) and milk yield of 10 358 cows on their fertility was analysed in 1 721 farms from the Pomerania and Kujawy regions of Poland. The GLM, FREQ and CORR procedures of the SAS package were used for statistical calculations. The housing system significantly affected cow fertility, which also depended, both in the first reproductive cycle and over the cows‘ lifetime, on milk production level after the first calving. A stronger relationship (unfavourable for breeders) between milk production and fertility was found for tethered cows compared to their loose-housed contemporaries. Regardless of the milk production level of first calvers, loose-housed cows showed better fertility.