Source and level of supplementation with selenium in commercial laying hens

Perch use by laying hens in a commercial aviary1

Non-cage housing systems, such as the aviary, are being implemented by the laying hen industry, including in North America, in an attempt to improve the welfare of hens. Perches are a resource that is consistently included in aviaries. Hens are strongly motivated to perch, and perching can improve leg bone strength. However, hens may prefer elevated perches, particularly at night, and thus simp...

Response of laying hens to supplementation with various fatty acids when fed diets inadequate in protein and sulphur amino acids

Ranging Behaviour of Commercial Free-Range Laying Hens.

In this study, the range use and behaviour of laying hens in commercial free-range flocks was explored. Six flocks were each visited on four separate days and data collected from their outdoor area (divided into zones based on distance from shed and available resources). These were: apron (0-10 m from shed normally without cover or other enrichments); enriched belt (10-50 m from shed where reso...

Effects of Dietary Dihydropyridine Supplementation on Laying Performance and Fat Metabolism of Laying Hens

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dihydropyridine on laying performance and fat metabolism of laying hens. Five hundred and forty laying hens, 40 weeks old, were randomly allotted to three groups, each of which included four replicates of 45 hens. The groups were given a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine. Results s...

Selenium supplementation can protect from enhanced risk of keel bone damage in laying hens exposed to cadmium

The aim of this study was to investigate whether selenium (Se) supplementation can provide protection from an enhanced risk of keel bone damage (KBD) in laying hens due to the cadmium (Cd) toxicity associated with sub-chronic exposure. In this trial, based on the model of laying hens fed a diet supplemented with Se, Cd or Se + Cd in combination, the keel bone fractures and deviations, the bone ...