Performance, physical egg quality, and economic index of laying hens under different rearing systems

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the performance, physical egg quality (weight and gravity), economic index of laying hens reared in cage cage-free systems. A total 312 40-week-old Hy-line brown were distributed a fully randomized design, split into two treatments (cage-free cage) with 12 replicates each system. We housed 144 birds galvanized-wire cages (12 each) 168 system boxes wood shaving bedding (14 each). experiment lasted 112 days divided four 28-day periods. Regarding feed intake (g) conversion (g/g) higher (p<0.0001) than system, but no differences observed (p>0.05) for other performance parameters also quality. As index, production In conclusion, have consumption worse conversion, increasing cost compared caged birds; however, there are changes