Responses of Laying Hens to Full vs. Partial Litter Access in Aviary Housing
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The Department of Animal Science originally concerned itself with teaching the selection, breeding, feeding and care of livestock. Today it continues this study of the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, with practical focuses on agribusiness, science, and animal management.
History
The Department of Animal Husbandry was established in 1898. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Animal Science in 1962. The Department of Poultry Science was merged into the department in 1971.
Historical Names
- Department of Animal Husbandry (1898–1962)
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Poultry Science (merged with, 1971)
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
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- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
Cage-free egg production has been a topic of increasing attention in the USA over the past two years. With different cage-free styles and management schemes, retailers have developed their own cage-free criteria. One highly debated aspect is if hens may be kept inside the system for part of the day, during the first few hours after lights-on. Research is lacking regarding the impact of such practice on hen well-being, production performance, and environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of providing full litter access (i.e. doors always open) vs. partial litter access (i.e., doors automatically opened 5 hr after lights-on), coupled with the absence or presence of experienced hens (1.5% of population) on the following variables: a) incidence of floor eggs, b) birds remaining on litter floor at night, c) bird mortality, d) body weight and uniformity, e) ammonia level in the barn, and f) amount and moisture content of floor litter. A commercial aviary henhouse (51,405 Dekalb White hens) was divided into 32 sections for the four treatments (8 replicates per treatment). Results show that sections with full litter access had considerably higher incidences of floor eggs, more manure deposition on the floor, and higher ammonia levels in winter, as compared to the partial litter access sections. Inclusion of experienced hens in the young flock did not reduce floor eggs. The percentage of hens remaining on the floor at night was low (<0.01%) for all treatments from 24 weeks of age onward.
Comments
This presentation is published as Oliveira, Jofran L., and Hongwei Xin. "Responses of Laying Hens to Full vs. Partial Litter Access in Aviary Housing." 10th International Livestock Environment Symposium (ILES X). Omaha, NE. September 25-27, 2018. Paper No. ILES18-013. DOI: 10.13031/iles.18-013. Posted with permission.