Effect of pullet quality on the occurrence of plumage damage, skin injuries and mortality during the laying period in commercial laying hen farms Artikel uri icon

Open Access

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Abstract

  • Laying hen farmers increasingly optimize relevant causal complexes to reduce severe feather pecking. Previous studies demonstrated the relevance of the rearing period on plumage condition during the laying period. Therefore, we examined the effects of pullet quality at the time of housing in the laying stable on plumage condition, skin condition, performance, and animal losses in the laying period under field conditions in a total of 28 laying flocks (9 white-egg layer flock and 19 brown-egg layer flocks) in floor (n = 21) or free-range housing systems (n = 7) with an average flock size of 12,357 hens (median). Pullet quality (PQ) was determined at post-housing examination based on plumage condition, flock uniformity, and target body mass. This resulted in a classification in flocks with high (n = 7), moderate (n = 14), and low PQ (n = 7). Over the subsequent laying period, plumage and skin scoring at seven time points and a continuous documentation of performance data and animal losses were performed. Logistic regression models showed increasing plumage damage with decreasing PQ (p < 0.001) in addition to effects of farm, animal age, hybrid type and housing type (p < 0.001 each) with high explanatory power for plumage condition (Nagelkerke ' s R2 = 0.719). In addition, all three PQ classes differed significantly in the occurrence of skin injuries (p < 0.001). Survival analysis revealed a higher survival time with increasing PQ (log-rank test: p < 0.001). There were no significant effects of PQ on performance traits (p >= 0.098). However, target body mass compliance (p < 0.001) and uniformity (p <= 0.034) were reduced in flocks with deficient PQ. In conclusion, the results demonstrated significant effects of PQ on traits for predicting of severe feather pecking and animal losses in the laying period. Therefore, the authors recommend a further improvement of rearing conditions and detailed assessment of pullets housed in the laying stable.