Laying Hens: Why Smothering and Not Surviving?-A Literature Review.

The proliferation of rearing systems providing opportunities for birds to engage in natural behaviors can trigger behavioral repertoires that when not manageable compromise animal welfare and the economic viability of the flock. Smothering in laying hens has long been perceived as "natural" or the result of hysteria among birds in the flock. However, the current literature has recognized smothering as an abnormal outcome with the potential to result in significant losses in cage-free poultry systems. Recent studies have specifically aimed to categorize the organization of smothering behavior and highlight its potential causes and consequences. In this study, literature review and bibliographic mapping, drawing on published articles and engagement with poultry farmers through extension and rural technical assistance, were employed. The findings indicate that smothering is a behavior triggered by factors related to the environment in which the laying hens are kept. This study concludes that there is a critical need for more rigorous and detailed research to elucidate the nuances of avian behavioral physiology and assess the impact of production systems on animal welfare and the economic impacts on the flock. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of bird behavior in high-production environments and provides practical insights for the poultry industry.

Acarofauna associated with organic matter in laying aviaries of different rearing systems in Brazil.

Due to the high density of chickens housed within the same space in aviaries, a large volume of organic matter accumulates on the floor. This large supply of available resources allows the development of arthropods, including organisms that affect poultry productivity and health. This study aimed to evaluate the composition of the mite community associated with organic matter in poultry houses with different rearing systems and the verification of potential predators to be evaluated in clean management techniques, such as biological control. The study was carried out in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) in a total of six poultry houses, two of the 'Californian' system (SIG) and four of the 'cage free' system (SIF). In total, 839,459 specimens were collected, of which 358,044 were collected from SIF and 481,415 specimens from SIG. Fifty-two species/morphospecies were found and we observed a grouping of aviaries from the same rearing model. Species of medical veterinary importance were found, such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Megninia ginglymura, Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. The results demonstrate that the organic matter present in the aviaries harbors a high diversity of mites of medical-veterinary importance and predators, which are influenced by the rearing system.

Thermal Response of Three Strains of Hens Housed in a Cage-Free Aviary at the Amazon Rainforest

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal response of three strains of hens housed in a cage-free system at the Amazon rainforest in order to evaluate how feather coverage influences thermal exchange with the environment. The experimental method was completely randomized and treatments comprised three strains of hens (Rhode Island Red (red feathers with feathers on the neck), alternative strain FCI (red feathers without feathers on the neck), and alternative strain FCIII (white feathers without feathers on the neck)), with 20 hens (replicates) analyzed per strain. Thermal images of each bird were captured in order to record the birds surface temperatures on five points in five targets. All data collected in this study were subjected to ANOVA and subsequently to the Tukey test at p≤0.01 and p≤0.05. The aviarys left wall presented a lower average temperature, indicating lower heat accumulation, while the floor presented higher heat accumulation. FCIII hens (white feathers) presented higher (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the head and legs, and lower (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the neck and back in relation to other analyzed hens, indicating increased heat exchange efficiency and high concentration of this process in specific body areas. FCI and FCIII hens (without feathers on the neck) presented lower (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the neck and higher (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the head and legs, indicating that the feather coverage directly influenced heat exchange mechanisms, and an increased area without feathers provided great heat exchange zones for birds in a tropical climate.(AU)

Thermal Response of Three Strains of Hens Housed in a Cage-Free Aviary at the Amazon Rainforest

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal response of three strains of hens housed in a cage-free system at the Amazon rainforest in order to evaluate how feather coverage influences thermal exchange with the environment. The experimental method was completely randomized and treatments comprised three strains of hens (Rhode Island Red (red feathers with feathers on the neck), alternative strain FCI (red feathers without feathers on the neck), and alternative strain FCIII (white feathers without feathers on the neck)), with 20 hens (replicates) analyzed per strain. Thermal images of each bird were captured in order to record the birds’ surface temperatures on five points in five targets. All data collected in this study were subjected to ANOVA and subsequently to the Tukey test at p≤0.01 and p≤0.05. The aviary’s left wall presented a lower average temperature, indicating lower heat accumulation, while the floor presented higher heat accumulation. FCIII hens (white feathers) presented higher (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the head and legs, and lower (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the neck and back in relation to other analyzed hens, indicating increased heat exchange efficiency and high concentration of this process in specific body areas. FCI and FCIII hens (without feathers on the neck) presented lower (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the neck and higher (p<0.05) heat accumulation on the head and legs, indicating that the feather coverage directly influenced heat exchange mechanisms, and an increased area without feathers provided great heat exchange zones for birds in a tropical climate.

Banana leaf in the diet of laying hens in cage free system

The aim of this research was evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and the endoparasites presence on Carijó laying hens in Cage Free system, fed with two experimental diets, one of them supplemented with fresh banana leaf in natura. It were used 196 laying hens with twenty-four weeks of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with 14 boxes, two experimental diets and seven replicates, by treatment with fourteen birds per experimental unit. The variables analyzed were: feed intake; egg production; egg mass: feed conversion per egg mass; feed conversion per dozen eggs; egg weight; albumen weight; yolk weight; shell weight; yolk percentage; albumen percentage shell percentage; yolk pigmentation and the presence of endoparasites. No influence (p > 0.05) were found, for performance and egg production, in Carijó laying hens fed supplemented with banana leaf in natura. For the treatment with inclusion of banana leaf, yolk pigmentation were superior (p < 0.05) when compared to control diet, producing eggs with more yolks orange color. In respect to endoparasite analysis, there was significant effect (p < 0.05) in the percentage of infections present in excretas. Among the treatments evaluated, the one with banana leaf supplementation reduced in 26.54% the endoparasites presence. The inclusion of banana leaf in the diet of Carijo laying hens does not affect performance and eggs quality and decreases the amount of endoparasites of the genus Strogyloides spp.(AU)

Banana leaf in the diet of laying hens in cage free system

The aim of this research was evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and the endoparasites presence on Carijó laying hens in Cage Free system, fed with two experimental diets, one of them supplemented with fresh banana leaf in natura. It were used 196 laying hens with twenty-four weeks of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with 14 boxes, two experimental diets and seven replicates, by treatment with fourteen birds per experimental unit. The variables analyzed were: feed intake; egg production; egg mass: feed conversion per egg mass; feed conversion per dozen eggs; egg weight; albumen weight; yolk weight; shell weight; yolk percentage; albumen percentage shell percentage; yolk pigmentation and the presence of endoparasites. No influence (p > 0.05) were found, for performance and egg production, in Carijó laying hens fed supplemented with banana leaf in natura. For the treatment with inclusion of banana leaf, yolk pigmentation were superior (p < 0.05) when compared to control diet, producing eggs with more yolks orange color. In respect to endoparasite analysis, there was significant effect (p < 0.05) in the percentage of infections present in excretas. Among the treatments evaluated, the one with banana leaf supplementation reduced in 26.54% the endoparasites presence. The inclusion of banana leaf in the diet of Carijo laying hens does not affect performance and eggs quality and decreases the amount of endoparasites of the genus Strogyloides spp.

Percepção dos consumidores paulistas em relação aos ovos de galinha cage free

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a percepção de consumidores em relação a ovos cage free, através da aplicação de um questionário. Os resultados desse questionário demonstram que os consumidores não sabem da tendência de grandes indústrias em adotarem ovos produzidos fora de gaiolas, e também que estariam dispostos em pagar mais caro por produtos que considerassem o bem-estar animal das aves poedeiras.(AU)

Percepção dos consumidores paulistas em relação aos ovos de galinha cage free

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a percepção de consumidores em relação a ovos cage free, através da aplicação de um questionário. Os resultados desse questionário demonstram que os consumidores não sabem da tendência de grandes indústrias em adotarem ovos produzidos fora de gaiolas, e também que estariam dispostos em pagar mais caro por produtos que considerassem o bem-estar animal das aves poedeiras.

Feed selectivity of laying hens undergoing different beak trimming in two rearing systems / Seletividade alimentar de galinhas poedeiras submetidas a diferentes métodos de debicagem em dois sistemas de criação

The present research was conducted to evaluate whether different beak trimming methods and rearing systems affected the feed selectivity of laying hens. A total of 178 Hy-line Brown laying hens in the growing phase and 120 hens in the production phase were divided in a factorial arrangement (2 x 3), with two rearing systems (floor and cages) and three beak trimming methods: without beak trimming (control), hot-blade beak trimming, and infrared beak trimming, with four replicates. Laying hens were feed with isonutritive diets. Samples were collected from feed orts and feed provided, with a subsequent analysis of dry matter, crude energy, crude protein, mineral matter, geometric mean diameter and geometric standard deviation. The results were subjected to the error normality test, analysis of variance and the Fisher-Snedecor (P 0.05) and Duncan tests (P 0.05). The beak trimming methods evaluated were not sufficient to prevent feed selection in laying hens. However, in the growing phase, hot-blade beak trimming reduced feed selection capacity of laying hens more than did infrared beak trimming. The cage system favored feed selection, both in the growing and production phases.(AU)

O presente trabalho foi conduzido para avaliar se diferentes métodos de debicagem e sistemas de criação afetam a seletividade alimentar de galinhas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 178 aves na fase de recria e 120 aves na fase de produção, da linhagem Hy-line Brown, divididas em um delineamento experimental em esquema fatorial (2x3), com dois sistemas de criação (piso e gaiolas) e três manejos de bico: sem debicar (controle), debicagem por lâmina quente e radiação infravermelha, com quatro repetições. As aves foram alimentadas com rações isonutritivas e foram coletadas amostras das sobras e das rações controle, com posterior análise da matéria seca, energia bruta, proteína bruta, matéria mineral, diâmetro geométrico médio e desvio padrão geométrico. Os resultados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade dos erros, análise de variância e aos testes de médias de Fisher-snedecor (P 0,05) e Duncan (P 0,05). Os métodos de debicagem avaliados não são suficientes para impedir a seleção de alimento de galinhas de postura. No entanto, na fase de recria, a debicagem por lâmina quente reduz a capacidade de seleção das galinhas, em relação à debicagem por infravermelho. O sistema de criação em gaiolas favorece a seleção de alimento pelas galinhas poedeiras, tanto na fase de recria quanto na fase de produção.(AU)

Feed selectivity of laying hens undergoing different beak trimming in two rearing systems / Seletividade alimentar de galinhas poedeiras submetidas a diferentes métodos de debicagem em dois sistemas de criação

ABSTRACT: The present research was conducted to evaluate whether different beak trimming methods and rearing systems affected the feed selectivity of laying hens. A total of 178 Hy-line Brown laying hens in the growing phase and 120 hens in the production phase were divided in a factorial arrangement (2 x 3), with two rearing systems (floor and cages) and three beak trimming methods: without beak trimming (control), hot-blade beak trimming, and infrared beak trimming, with four replicates. Laying hens were feed with isonutritive diets. Samples were collected from feed orts and feed provided, with a subsequent analysis of dry matter, crude energy, crude protein, mineral matter, geometric mean diameter and geometric standard deviation. The results were subjected to the error normality test, analysis of variance and the Fisher-Snedecor (P<0.05) and Duncan tests (P<0.05). The beak trimming methods evaluated were not sufficient to prevent feed selection in laying hens. However, in the growing phase, hot-blade beak trimming reduced feed selection capacity of laying hens more than did infrared beak trimming. The cage system favored feed selection, both in the growing and production phases.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho foi conduzido para avaliar se diferentes métodos de debicagem e sistemas de criação afetam a seletividade alimentar de galinhas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 178 aves na fase de recria e 120 aves na fase de produção, da linhagem Hy-line Brown, divididas em um delineamento experimental em esquema fatorial (2x3), com dois sistemas de criação (piso e gaiolas) e três manejos de bico: sem debicar (controle), debicagem por lâmina quente e radiação infravermelha, com quatro repetições. As aves foram alimentadas com rações isonutritivas e foram coletadas amostras das sobras e das rações controle, com posterior análise da matéria seca, energia bruta, proteína bruta, matéria mineral, diâmetro geométrico médio e desvio padrão geométrico. Os resultados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade dos erros, análise de variância e aos testes de médias de Fisher-snedecor (P<0,05) e Duncan (P<0,05). Os métodos de debicagem avaliados não são suficientes para impedir a seleção de alimento de galinhas de postura. No entanto, na fase de recria, a debicagem por lâmina quente reduz a capacidade de seleção das galinhas, em relação à debicagem por infravermelho. O sistema de criação em gaiolas favorece a seleção de alimento pelas galinhas poedeiras, tanto na fase de recria quanto na fase de produção.