Can eggshells indicate stressor exposure in free-range laying hens?

ABSTRACT: Finding effective ways to monitor laying hen welfare is challenging as UK flock sizes can reach 16,000 birds. Eggs provide potential for welfare monitoring, as they are a daily output with previous evidence of links to stress. We explored the associations between stressors and eggs using two complementary studies. In Study 1, hens experienced social or heat stressors and eggs were scored daily for defects in shell characteristics. All eggs were scored on a three-point scale: 1 (no defect); 2 (minor defects); or 3 (unsuitable for whole egg sale in the UK). Texture defects were higher after stress treatments and were explored further as a promising proxy measure of welfare. In Study 2, eggshell texture from five commercial flocks was scored before versus at the onset of an avian influenza-en

SUBMITTER: Gray HE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11655278 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature