Effect of housing systems on the energy balance of laying hens.

Authors

  • E.H. Ketelaars
  • A. Arets
  • W. van der Hel
  • A.J. Wilbrink
  • M.W.A. Verstegen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v33i1.16869

Abstract

In each of 2 experiments 192 medium large laying hens (Warren WSL), of 19 to 27 and 29 to 42 weeks old, respectively, were put in 2 respiration chambers in cages and on wire floor in the same environmental conditions. Production performance and utilization of energy were estimated. Feed conversion (feed intake in kg/eggs produced in kg) was slightly lower in the cage system as a result of a greater egg weight. Hens in cages had a greater growth rate. With about the same energy intake in experiment 1 and a lower in experiment 2 the better performance in cages can only be explained by a possibly slightly better utilization of the energy and in particular by a lower requirement of maintenance energy in cages. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Published

1985-02-01

Issue

Section

Papers