[Battery-cages as the cause of environmental and behavioural dependent diseases (author's transl)]

Bone fragility and increased fat content in the liver of egg-laying hens are more often encountered in birds from traditional battery-cage systems than in those confined in other systems. By reviewing the relevant literature possible explanations of these phenomena are proposed. Clinical and pathological manifestations of the syndromes are described and a number of possible aetiological factors are evaluated. Bone fragility can be seen either as a general weakness of bone tissue or as a clinically manifest disease, Cage layer fatigue. It is concluded, that general restriction of the animal's possibilities to locomote and perform comfort movements are the most important aetiological factors. Fatty liver disease may be seen either as a pathological elevation of the liverfat content or it may be seen as a disease called Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome. Several factors may cause elevation of the liver fat content. The influence of restricted movement on the animals energy balance, however, like other behavioural disturbances seems to be the most important aetiological factors. It is concluded, that bone fragility and fatty liver in egg-laying hens are diseases caused by an inadequate environment and the restriction of essential behavioural patterns.