| dc.description.abstract | Although the impact of various housing methodologies on the overall welfare of
layer hens has been established, little research has been done to date on the impact of different
housing systems on the productivity of layer hens. In this study, providing hens with
minimum spatial requirement negatively impacted the productivity levels and egg quality.
Contrarily, accessibility to an outdoor enclosure and allocation of greater floor area per hen
resulted in improved productivity and egg equality. These results demonstrate that through
the enhancement of welfare standards of production animals, it is possible to maximise
their production potential and consequently operate production businesses at optimum efficacy.
Further research is needed in order to corroborate these findings, however the correlation
between improved hen welfare and an amelioration in productivity in this study
gives rise to the possibility that perhaps in the near future, the goals of animal rights proponents
and egg producers may align. | en_US |
