Advantages of cages ■ It is easier to care for the pullets; no birds are ■ ■ ■ ■
underfoot. Floor eggs are eliminated. Eggs are cleaner. Culling is expedited. Broodiness is eliminated.
■ In most instances, less feed is required to ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
produce a dozen eggs. More pullets may be housed in a given house floor space. Internal parasites are eliminated. Labor requirements are generally much reduced Better eggs/feed ratio Data recording is easier and accurate
Dis- advantages of cages ■ Broodiness is often a problem in floor
production housing. ■
Characterized by ■
hen wanting to build a permanent nest and begin "setting
■ The main issues in floor housing are ■ parasitic disorders, ■ outbreak and spreading of cannibalistic pecking, ■ increased feed intake, ■ misplaced eggs, ■ catching of hens during production and ■ spent hens ■ air quality (dust and ammonia levels).
Conditions Associated With floor/ Litter Quality
CAGE MANAGEMENT ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Cage configuration will not permit manure to drop directly on birds in lower level cages Hen should be able to stand upright and the slope of the floor should not exceed 8 degrees Space allowance should be in 67 to 86 sq in range Feeder space should permit simultaneous eating All birds continuous access to clean drinking water Water pressure must be regulated carefully
■ ■
■ ■ ■ ■
Birds inspected daily under sufficient light intensity No exposure to disturbing noises, visual stimuli, strong vibrations, wild birds, pets or other animals Environment permitting normal body temp maintenance without difficulty Continuous flow of fresh air for every bird Nutritionally adequate and accessible fresh feed Stand-by generators & alarm systems a "must"
GUIDELINES FOR CAGES Cages Interiors must be designed, constructed and maintained so there is no sharp edges or protrusions likely to cause injury or distress ■ McDonald's requires a minimum of 72 sq2 (465 cm2) of cage space and 4 in (10.2 cm) of cage front feeder per bird housed ■ ■
■ ■ ■ ■
Lighting Minimum of 13 hr and maximum of 18 hr in each 24 hr period Lighting patterns must be recorded and available for review Daytime levels must allow birds to be inspected without difficulty and a minimum of 10 lux (0.93fc) maintained throughout the house
■ Air Quality and Temperature Control ■ Aerial contaminants must not reach a level at which
they are noticeably unpleasant to an observer ■ Ventilation systems, natural or forced, must be designed to maintain the following air quality parameters at bird head height: ■ ■ ■ ■
automatically recorded and available upon request)
■ Food and Water ■ Laying hens will be protected from hunger, thirst and
malnutrition by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain good health. Feed and water must be distributed in such a way that hens can eat and drink without undue competition ■ Food ■ Must be fed a wholesome diet in sufficient quantities ■ Producers must have written record of feed nutrient
content and make it available for review upon request ■ Food must not be contaminated or stale ■ Hand replenished feed track systems are prohibited
■ Water ■ Continuous access to clean, fresh drinking
water at all times ■ Water must not be contaminated or stale ■ Minimum number of one water nipples per cage ■ Drinkers will be placed at optimum height and of appropriate design
■ Environment ■ The environment in which the hens are kept must be
designed to protect them from physical and thermal abuse ■ Buildings –a checklist must prominently be ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
displayed that shows: Total number of cages Average size of cages Targeted air quality parameters Lighting levels and regimes Emergence procedures in case of fire, flood or equipment failure
FLOOR AND FEEDER SPACE PER BIRD IN CAGE Cage
16” x 20”
24” x 20”
Colony
Floor Space
Feeder Space
4
80.0 in2 (516 cm2)
4.0 in (10.2 cm)
5
64.0 in2 (413 cm2)
3.2 in (8.1 cm)
6
53.3 in2 (344 cm2)
2.6 in (6.6 cm)
7
45.7 in2 (295 cm2)
2.3 in (5.8 cm)
6
80.0 in2 (516 cm2)
4.0in (10.2 cm)
7
68.6 in2 (443 cm2)
3.4in (8.6 cm)
8
60.0 in2 (387 cm2)
3.0in (7.6 cm)
9
53.3 in2 (344 cm2)
2.7in (6.9 cm)
10
48.9 in2 (315 cm2)
2.4in (6.1 cm)
Dis-advantages ■ The investment per pullet may be higher than
in the case of floor operations. ■ There is a slightly higher percentage of blood spots in the eggs. ■ The bones are more fragile and processors often discount the fowl price.
16" x 20" Cages Performance
FLOOR PRODUCTION ■ designed for either egg-type or broiler-type
birds kept for fertile or infertile eggs. ■ In commercial flocks this method is used when fertile eggs for hatching are needed. ■ 3 inches of litter material in the nests and 4 to 6 inches of litter on the floor.
■ One nest 14 inches wide, 12 inches high, and
16 inches deep. ■ Four hens per nest. ■ A mash hopper 5 feet long and open on both sides for 25 hens. ■ Three gallon pans provide adequate watering space for 30 hens
CAGE VS FLOOR MANAGEMENT
More pullets may be housed in a given house ... Stand-by generators & alarm systems a ... and a minimum of 10 lux (0.93fc) maintained throughout the house ...