Effects of litter floor access and inclusion of experienced hens in aviary housing on floor eggs, litter condition, air quality, and hen welfare

摘要: ABSTRACT With different cage-free (CF) housing styles and management schemes, retailers have developed their own CF criteria. One highly debated aspect is if hens may be kept inside the system for part of day—during first few hours after lights-on. Research lacking regarding impacts such a practice on hen welfare, incidence eggs laid litter floor, condition, air quality. This 14-mo field study was conducted to help assess impacts. Hens (Dekalb White) in an aviary house (50,000-hen nominal capacity) were allowed full access (FLA) vs. part-time (PLA) from 10:50 am 9:00 pm, coupled with absence or presence experienced (1.5% population), hence 2 × factorial arrangement. The measured variables included a) floor eggs, b) percentage birds remaining at night, c) mortality, d) body weight (BW) BW uniformity, e) condition (depth, moisture content, texture, amount removed, bacteria concentration), f) environmental conditions, g) welfare conditions (10 variables). Compared FLA, PLA had significantly lower (1.4 ± 0.1 vs. 12.6 1.1 per housed as 76 weeks age (WOA), i.e., approximately 89% reduction), less manure deposition (0.53 0.02 vs. 1.05 0.04 kg/100 hens/d, dry basis, 50% ammonia concentrations due drier (averaging 22% lower). Inclusion 1.5% young flock did not show benefit reducing (P = 0.48). night low (