A cross-sectional study on feather cover damage in Canadian laying hens in non-cage housing systems.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Feather damage (FD) resulting from feather pecking remains a concern in non-cage housing systems for laying hens worldwide. This study aimed to identify bird-, housing-, and management-related factors associated with FD in non-cage housing systems as the egg production sector phases out the conventional cage system in Canada. A survey on housing and management practices was developed and distributed to 122 laying hen farms where 39 respondents provided information on non-cage flocks. Farmers visually assessed 50 birds throughout the barn for FD using a 0-2 scoring scale according to severity. Prevalence of FD was calculated as the percentage of birds with any form of FD (score > 0). Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with FD

SUBMITTER: Decina C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6892204 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature