Effect of watering systems for floor-reared pullets on subsequent caged laying hen performance

Two watering system trials were conducted with floor-reared pullets. Trial 1 showed that pullets raised on trigger cups (STC) compared to pullets raised on dome waterers (DW) had significantly better feed conversion and lower mortality. A significant difference was shown between 4 and 5 hens per cage for hen-day egg production and feed per dozen eggs. There were no differences in production responses according to cage waterer availability or for main effect interactions. Trial 2 showed that raising pullets on STC, DW, or a DW to STC change during the rearing phase had no effect on cage laying performance. Mortality trends were shown according to waterer system. Trial differences were hypothesized to be associated with the laying cage waterer type used in each trial; fount cups were used in Trial 1 and TC in Trial 2.