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Effects of Cage and Barn Rearing System on Early Laying Performance of Pullet

MG Rouf
Aftab Bahumukhi Farms Ltd., Bajitpur , Kishorejong.

M Ahammed
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

MU Ahammad
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

MR Rahman
School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur , Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present experiment was conducted with 144 Shaver 579 egg laying pullets to compare their performances reared on barn and in cages for a period of 16 weeks from 25 to 40 weeks of age. Feed consumption, feed conversion (FC) and egg weight were significantly higher when reared on barn than in cages. However, hen day egg production (HDEP), egg mass, body weight, livability, albumen index, Haugh unit (HU), yolk index, shape index and egg shell thickness did not differ (P>0.05) between pullets under two different rearing systems. Soiled eggs (p<0.01) and shell breaking strength (P<0.05) were higher for the pullets reared on barn than in cages. In contrast, yolk color score (YCS) was higher (P<0.05) in eggs collected from the cage-reared pullets when compared with the eggs of pullets reared on barn. It is concluded that egg laying pullets can be reared either on barn or in cages successfully in Bangladesh condition without any adverse effect on egg production.

Keywords: Laying pullets, Egg production performance, Egg quality, Barn, Cage

Location: Aftab Bahumukhi Farms Ltd., Bajitpur , Kishorejong.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

To examine the effects of barn and cage rearing systems on egg production performance of laying pullets under Bangladesh condition.
To determine the influence of these two systems on egg quality.

Methodology:

A total of 144 Shaver 579 ready -to-lay pullets of 17 weeks of age were transferred to layer house and experimental data were collected when laying pullets reached to peak production, from 25 weeks for this experiment. The duration of experiment was 16 weeks (from 25 to 40 weeks). Pullets were housed in concrete type open sided house and reared on either barn or in cages. Dry sand was used as litter in barn which was spread at 10 cm depth on floor. In barn rearing system, a total of 72 pullets were randomly allocated to three separated pens of equal size (6.69m² /pen). Floor space for each pullet in this system was 2787 cm². One community type wooden nest box having five small nests was provided in each pen. The measurement of each small nest was 36 cm long, 30 cm wide and 32 cm high. The cages were 3-tier individual cage made by galvanizing iron rod. Each cage was 1.83 m long, 0.29 m wide and 1.89 m high. Living space for each pullet in this system was 704 cm². A commercial layer ration was formulated as per standard nutrient requirements of the Shaver 579 . A total amount of 115 g feed was allotted to each pullet two times a day. A 16 hr continuous lighting program was followed including natural day length and artificial light with the help of a 60 watt electric bulb in each pen. Data on egg production, feed consumption, body weight, egg weight, egg quality like shape index, shell breaking strength, shell thickness, albumen index, HU, yolk index and YCS were recorded. Width and length (cm) of each egg were measured using a manual calipers and shape index was calculated as percent ratio between egg width and egg length. Shell thickness meter was used to determine the shell thickness of egg and shell breaking strength (kg/cm²) of un-craked egg was measured using the equation suggested. All recorded and calculated data were subjected to t-test with SPSS statistical programme.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2015. 44 (3):151-156, ISSN 0003-3588

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v44i3.26365

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is therefore concluded that the laying performance of hybrid layers was not remarkably affected by the rearing systems. Some performance parameters such as egg weight, feed consumption and FC were affected by the systems and these were expected, while other differences could not be considered a significant factor for egg users. On the other hand, some egg quality parameters such as shell strength, yolk colour and cleanliness of egg were significantly affected by the systems which are directly related to the egg transfer and consumer preferences. This study also suggested that management of barn should be improved to minimize the soiled egg production and mortality. More research is required to establish a logical explanation of performance variation between two rearing systems.

Knowledge Management: Journal