Effect of simple and low-cost enrichment items on behavioral, clinical, and productive variables of caged laying hens.
J Appl Anim Welf Sci
; 22(2): 139-148, 2019.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29607700
ABSTRACT
Housing layers in battery cages is a practice still used by many countries but it has been criticized because of its influence on behavioral repertoire of birds. We investigated whether simple and affordable enrichment devices alone impact behavior, foot condition and performance of laying hens housed in conventional cages. Hens were divided into plain cages (CON), cages with perches (PER), and cages with tassels and scratch-pads (ENR), and parameters were evaluated before and after enrichment placement. After perch placement inactivity, drinking and competition for space reduced 35.6%, 40.8% and 70.3%, respectively, whereas social interaction increased 19.3%. Both modifications decreased locomotion (75.0% and 42.4% for PER and ENR respectively) and abnormal behaviors (62.5% and 43.9.4% for PER and ENR respectively). None of the performance variables were affected by ENR or PER. Thermography was more efficient than visual inspection in detecting subclinical bumblefoot, and it confirmed that PER reduced subclinical and clinical cases. Our findings indicate that perches increased welfare-related behaviors and foot health of hens, supporting the use of these inexpensive and highly adaptable alternatives for the enrichment of battery cages.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Animal
/
Bienestar del Animal
/
Pollos
/
Vivienda para Animales
Tipo de estudio:
Health_economic_evaluation
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Appl Anim Welf Sci
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil