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The Edinburgh modified cage for laying hens

M C Appleby1, B O Hughes

  • 1Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, UK.

British Poultry Science
|December 1, 1995
PubMed
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The Edinburgh Modified Cage (EMC) for laying hens shows promise for improving hen welfare by incorporating perches, nest boxes, and dust baths. Egg laying and dust bathing behaviors improved with EMC design adjustments.

Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Poultry Husbandry
  • Animal Welfare

Background:

  • Conventional cages for laying hens present welfare challenges.
  • Novel cage designs are needed to improve hen behavior and well-being.
  • The Edinburgh Modified Cage (EMC) was developed to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the behavior, production, and welfare of ISA Brown laying hens housed in the novel Edinburgh Modified Cage (EMC).
  • To compare the EMC with conventional cages regarding hen activity and egg-laying patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Two trials were conducted with ISA Brown medium hybrids from 20 to 44 weeks of age.
  • The EMC design included a perch, nest box, and dust bath with automated doors.
  • Hens' behavior (perching, dust bathing, nesting) and egg-laying locations were observed and recorded.

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Main Results:

  • Hens utilized the perch extensively (32-37% of daytime, 92-98% at night).
  • Nest box usage for egg-laying reached 91-96% after adjusting door timing.
  • Dust bathing significantly increased in EMCs (61%) compared to control cages (17%).

Conclusions:

  • The EMC design has potential to enhance laying hen welfare by facilitating natural behaviors like dust bathing and nesting.
  • Minor design modifications are still needed for optimal performance.
  • The EMC shows commercial application potential for improving poultry welfare in cage systems.