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Cage row arrangement affects the performance of laying hens in the hot humid tropics

Diarra, Siaka S. and Devi, Ranita and Rogers, Samantha and Vaeluagas, Papayaia and Moli, Junior (2017) Cage row arrangement affects the performance of laying hens in the hot humid tropics. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Although the traditional cage system of housing laying hens is gradually being faced out due to welfare reasons, cages are still common in most developing tropical countries in different arrangements. In a 12-week experiment, the effects of a three cage row arrangement on hen-day production and egg qualities of Shaver Brown hens was studied. Data were collected from 2 layer sheds housing 9,000 hens in a 3-cage row arrangement (southern row, northern row and middle row) with 3,000 hens per row. Data were analysed for a randomized complete block design where cage rows were the treatments and weeks the blocks. Results showed no significant effects of cage row arrangement on feed intake, hen-day production, per cent yolk and Haugh unit (P>0.05). Egg weight, egg mass and per cent shell were significantly reduced and feed conversion ratio increased on the middle row (P<0.05). Egg weight, egg mass, per cent shell and feed conversion ratio did not differ between the side rows (P>0.05). These results suggest that battery cage row arrangement may not affect the rate of lay but egg weight, egg mass and efficiency of feed utilisation may be adversely affected in hens housed in the middle row. These findings have both economic and welfare implications.

Item Type: Other
Subjects: S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Agriculture and Food Technology
Depositing User: Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2017 03:28
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2017 03:28
URI: http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10393
UNSPECIFIED

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