Influence of litter substrates on production, egg quality, and welfare indicators in laying hens.

ABSTRACT: Hens' welfare indicators such as integument condition, dustbathing, and foraging behaviors can be influenced by the litter substrate, however, the resultant impact of litter substrate on performance and egg production remains unclear. Hence, this study investigated the impact of 4 litter substrates on various welfare parameters and productivity in laying hens. These substrates included wood shavings, peatmix (wood shavings mixed with peat), biochar (wood shavings amended with biochar), and microbial additive (wood shavings amended with microbial additive). A total of 1600 Bovan White hens were housed in groups of 100 in 16 identical pens (floor housing system). Treatments were randomly assigned to the pens and there were 4 replicate pens per treatment. Pullet placement was performed at 15

SUBMITTER: Nutsugah N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12771291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature