Laying hens prefer softer over harder mineral-based pecking stones and peck them more at the end of the light period.

Mineral-based pecking stones (PS) are edible enrichments for poultry that comprise a high proportion of calcium. We aimed to determine whether laying hens prefer a Soft (easier to ingest) versus a Hard mineral-based PS with the same calcium content, if pecking at PS follows a diurnal pattern similar to calcium appetite, and whether the PS affects eggshell quality. Shaver White laying hens housed in groups of 3 in furnished cages (N = 38) were given either a Hard or Soft PS for 15 days, followed by a 6-day washout period of no PS, and then the opposite PS type for an additional 15 days (Phase 1).

Strain differences and effects of different stocking densities during rearing on the musculoskeletal development of pullets.

There are few published studies on the effect of stocking density (SD) of pullets, particularly between different genetic lines. The objectives of this study were to determine if strain or SD affects musculoskeletal development of pullets and determine any impact on the productivity and keel bone health of adult hens. Lohmann Selected Leghorn Lite (LSL), Dekalb White (DW), and Lohmann Brown (LB) pullets were reared at 4 different SD (247 cm/bird, 270 cm/bird, 299 cm/bird, and 335 cm/bird) in large cages furnished with elevated perches and a platform.

The effect of space allowance and cage size on laying hens housed in furnished cages, Part II: Behavior at the feeder.

Standards for feeder (a.k.a.

Effect of space allowance and cage size on laying hens housed in furnished cages, Part I: Performance and well-being.

There are few published data on the effects of housing laying hens at different densities in large furnished cages (FC; a.k.a.

Development of perching behavior in 3 strains of pullets reared in furnished cages.

Furnished rearing cages are becoming more widely available to replace conventional systems for pullets. To date, there is little information on how pullets develop perching behavior in furnished cages or how this varies among strains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of perches and a platform in a commercial furnished rearing "Combi-Cage" system by 3 pure-bred heritage strains of pullets (Rhode Island Red, Columbian Rock, and White Leghorn).