Abstract

VILLANUEVA-SANCHEZ, Octavio et al. Animal welfare evaluation in Bovans White laying hens on floor housing. Abanico vet [online]. 2020, vol.10, e5.  Epub June 30, 2020. ISSN 2448-6132.  https://doi.org/10.21929/abavet2020.5.

Laying hen welfare has been studied increasingly, some works concluded that the cage housing system provides poor welfare for laying hens. These have a great interest in Mexico because it is the world's leading egg consumer (22.8 kg per capita by year) and the fourth leading producer. The aim of this work was to evaluate laying hen welfare. Fifty 22-weeks-old Bovans White laying hens were housed in the floor, assigning 1200 cm2 per hen. Behavior, health, production parameters, and egg physical quality were evaluated at 22, 30 and 62 weeks. There was a difference (P<0.05) throughout the study in frequency and time of the following behaviors: dust bath, lie down, exploring and foraging. On the other hand, egg physical quality was according to the national regulations. At the end of the study, hens had good physical health and a wide behavior repertory.

Keywords : welfare; behavior; health; egg; housing system.

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