Poultry Expert Ponders Hen Housing
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:37pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor
LANCASTER, Pa. — Caged or free-range? Higher or lower density? What strain (or crossbred hen) is best? What is the best option for egg production?
Ken Anderson, a North Carolina State University poultry extension specialist, shared findings from his poultry housing research at the Poultry Health Seminar last week at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center.
Anderson oversees the North Carolina Layer Performance and Management test. According to the North Carolina State Web site, the test, which was established in 1958, evaluates poultry strain evaluations in an environment common to producers in North Carolina. In recent years, the test and the support it provides has given the industry an avenue with which to examine common problems they may experience with the environment and management of the different strains of leghorns available. This test is the only one of its type remaining in North and South America and is one of five remaining in the world.
In the most recent set of evaluations, the test was expanded from just a house evaluation to also include a set of birds in a free-range system.
The strains of birds have changed significantly since the start of the test, according to Anderson.
“There is a continuous change in productivity,” he said, noting that just since 1996 the hens have increased lifetime productivity by 37 eggs per bird.
Regarding density of birds, he said increased floor space boosts productivity. At a density of about 90 square inches per bird, productivity begins to level off, according to research cited by Anderson. Increasing floor space also cuts down on mortality rates.
When looking at range or caged birds, Anderson said caged birds produce more than hens on range. “It does not mean they are better or worse off, they just outperform in cages,” he said.
When looking at key points of the range and caged systems, he broke down what some of the benefits were to each system. In a caged system eggs have better Haugh unit scores — a measure of the internal quality of an egg. Hen immune response is also better.
On the other hand, free-range eggs tend to grade better, and have stronger shells and higher fat content.
According to Anderson, cholesterol, vitamin A and vitamin E levels are the same in both systems. Free-range eggs have higher beta-carotene levels, attributed to the tell-tale darker colored yolks.
Looking to the future, he said there is work pending on evaluating behavior patterns between hens in cages versus free range. However parameters to fairly evaluate both systems are still in the development stages.
For more information on the studies, go to www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/layer_performance_tests.html.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor
LANCASTER, Pa. — Caged or free-range? Higher or lower density? What strain (or crossbred hen) is best? What is the best option for egg production?
Ken Anderson, a North Carolina State University poultry extension specialist, shared findings from his poultry housing research at the Poultry Health Seminar last week at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center.
Anderson oversees the North Carolina Layer Performance and Management test. According to the North Carolina State Web site, the test, which was established in 1958, evaluates poultry strain evaluations in an environment common to producers in North Carolina. In recent years, the test and the support it provides has given the industry an avenue with which to examine common problems they may experience with the environment and management of the different strains of leghorns available. This test is the only one of its type remaining in North and South America and is one of five remaining in the world.
In the most recent set of evaluations, the test was expanded from just a house evaluation to also include a set of birds in a free-range system.
The strains of birds have changed significantly since the start of the test, according to Anderson.
“There is a continuous change in productivity,” he said, noting that just since 1996 the hens have increased lifetime productivity by 37 eggs per bird.
Regarding density of birds, he said increased floor space boosts productivity. At a density of about 90 square inches per bird, productivity begins to level off, according to research cited by Anderson. Increasing floor space also cuts down on mortality rates.
When looking at range or caged birds, Anderson said caged birds produce more than hens on range. “It does not mean they are better or worse off, they just outperform in cages,” he said.
When looking at key points of the range and caged systems, he broke down what some of the benefits were to each system. In a caged system eggs have better Haugh unit scores — a measure of the internal quality of an egg. Hen immune response is also better.
On the other hand, free-range eggs tend to grade better, and have stronger shells and higher fat content.
According to Anderson, cholesterol, vitamin A and vitamin E levels are the same in both systems. Free-range eggs have higher beta-carotene levels, attributed to the tell-tale darker colored yolks.
Looking to the future, he said there is work pending on evaluating behavior patterns between hens in cages versus free range. However parameters to fairly evaluate both systems are still in the development stages.
For more information on the studies, go to www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/layer_performance_tests.html.
