The first comprehensive literature review in 40 years presents up-to-date research and best practices to prevent floor egg laying.
Today’s pullets are bred to reach sexual maturity sooner, are more efficient once they reach the egg-laying stage and remain productive longer than layers of past years. Those are all positives for egg producers, but is the industry keeping pace with their protein needs?
Ultrasonic water meters enabled rapid and early identification of potential problems in cage-free layer houses, including feed shortages and water restrictions, according to research presented at the 2024 IPSF by William Strickland, graduate research assistant, University of Georgia.
Consumers, retail customers and even legislators in some states are embracing cage-free egg production, necessitating a shift in the laying-hen industry.
Poultry farms seeking protection against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) outbreaks may find the best defense for layers and broiler-breeder replacement birds is a dual ILT vaccination program.
Breeding birds for efficient cage-free production requires developing healthy hens that lay an egg every day for 100 weeks and possibly up to 200 weeks in the future, reported Sijne Van der Beek, PhD, chief technology officer, Lohmann Breeders, The Netherlands.
By Daniel Wilson, DVM
Wilson Veterinary Company
Indianapolis, Indiana
Without other stressors to skew results, altering stocking density (SD) within common ranges does not affect the well-being of layer chicks being transported from hatcheries to pullet-rearing operations.
Formaldehyde fumigation is a conventional method used to control total environmental microbial counts in the hatchery. However, according to Christine N. Vuong, PhD, University of Arkansas, this method does not differentiate between beneficial or pathogenic microbes.
Bird welfare is improved in cage-free layer systems compared to cage systems, but indoor air quality suffers in a cage-free environment due to higher bird activity.
The move to cage-free egg production in the US and Europe created a seismic change in hen breeding programs.
By Alexander W. Strauch, DVM
Four Star Veterinary Service, LLC
Minton Veterinary Service Office
Chickasaw, Ohio
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