Effect of pecking stones and age on feather cover, hen mortality, and performance in free-range laying hens.

Severe feather pecking is frequently associated with impaired egg production, poor hen welfare, and increased mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of pecking stones to ameliorate the incidence of feather pecking. A total of 18 flocks of Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to control (n = 9 no pecking stone access) or treatment (n = 9 pecking stone access) flocks and housed in commercial fixed sheds (farm A, n = 10) or commercial mobile sheds (farm B, n = 8) differing in various housing conditions.