Management Recommendations For Laying Hens In Deep Litter, Perchery And Free Range Systems

Management Recommendations for Laying Hens...

Vol. 43 (1), April 2008, Page 53

Management Recommendations for Laying Hens in Deep Litter, Perchery and Free Range Systems
Hans-Heinrich Thiele and Robert Pottgüter Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany

Introduction
The trend away from conventional battery cages towards deep litter, perchery and free range housing systems for layinghens has intensified in recent years. In West European countries in particular laying hens are increasingly kept in production systems that are consistent with ethical and moral principles of these societies. Organic farms managed in accordance with specific guidelines for organic farming are also gaining market shares. The management of laying hens in deep litter, perchery and free range systemsrequires more expertise and time than conventional battery cages. Any farmer who decides to keep hens in these production systems should try to learn as much as possible from well-managed and successful operations. The management recommendations, most of which have been followed since many years in the management of layer and broiler parent flocks, draw on results of scientific studies as well asfield experience and should help poultry farmers to optimize results under their specific conditions.

Design of laying houses
The first step in planning to build new houses or converting existing buildings to deep litter or percheries is to consult experts with sufficient experience. The construction of deep litter and perchery housing has to meet different and often higher standards than cagehousing. Since the birds spend at least part of the time directly on the floor, this must be well insulated. The lower stocking density per m² of floor space compared with conventional cages and the corresponding reduction in heat production by the hens must be taken into account when designing ventilation and air-conditioning installations. The dispersion of the hens within the building depends onits size, any compartments within the shed, but especially air flow and house climate. If the latter two factors are relatively uniform the hens will disperse evenly within the shed and feel comfortable. Otherwise the birds will crowd together in areas of the shed they find agreeable. Nests must be easily accessible and preferably positioned in a central location in the laying house. To trainhens to use the nests, all eggs laid on the litter floor must be picked up frequently to discourage other hens from using these “floor nests”. Possible reasons for preferring certain floor positions should be analyzed to make them less attractive. Eggs laid outside the nest are hygienically compromised and have to be marketed at discounts. In deep litter or perchery housing dust is generated by hensusing the scratching area and moving about. To minimize health hazards for the birds, a good ventilation of the shed is essential. If the deep litter house or perchery is combined with an outdoor enclosure, the building should be in a northsouth direction to keep the walls from heating up at different rates and different amounts of light entering the building when the popholes are open. The designof the building and its installations should be user-friendly to allow easy servicing. Deep litter housing systems for laying hens vary in design and layout depending on the type of building. The classic form consists of 80-90 cm high dropping pits covered with wooden or plastic slats or wire mesh, which take up two-thirds of the floor space. Feeders, drinkers and nests should be positioned ontop of the dropping pit and the drinkers mounted at a distance of 30 to 50 cm directly in front of the nests. The litter area with sand, straw, wood shavings or other materials occupies about one-third of the floor space and allows the hens to move about, scratch and dust-bathe. The littered scratching area may be replaced by perforated flooring. In this case it is recommended to provide a winter...