
%0 Journal Article
%A Barnett, J. L. 
%A Glatz, P. C. 
%A Newman, E. A. 
%A Cronin, G. M. 
%T Effects of modifying layer cages with perches on stress physiology, plumage, pecking and bone strength of hens
%J Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
%D 1997/08/27
%V 37
%N 5
%P 523-529
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/EA97024
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA97024 
%X Summary. This experiment evaluated the welfare of layer hens housed in cages modified with perches. Welfare was assessed on the basis of physiological measures of stress (corticosterone concentrations &#8216;at rest&#8217; and in response to ACTH and heterophil : lymphocyte ratios) and immunological responsiveness, feather condition and cover, bone strength, claw length and between-bird pecking behaviour. Factors examined were cage modification (perches v. standard cage), tier (upper v. lower), birds (1 or 2 birds/cage) and age (commencing at 35 v. 60 weeks of age). The cages provided a floor area of 1504 cm2 . Floor pens (2.5 by 2.5 m) with 10 birds/pen served as an external control treatment. Perches improved the strength of the femur (P&#60;0.05) compared with standard cages but bone strength was still less than in floor pens (P&#60;0.05). There were no effects of cage modification on any of the physiological variables or liveweight (P&#62;0.05). The only improvement in feather condition and cover within cages due to the presence of a perch was in the condition of the tail feathers which was better (P&#60;0.05) than in a standard cage, but not as good as tail feathers in the pen treatment (P&#60;0.001). Overall, feather condition and cover was better in the pen treatment (P&#60;0.001) and similar in the 2 cage treatments (P&#62;0.05). The presence of a perch resulted in longer claws than in a standard cage and floor pens (P&#60;0.05), and significant (P&#60;0.01) perching activity compared with floor pens. The experiment showed that perches should be considered for use in commercial laying cages as they resulted in an improvement in bone strength; there was also an improvement in tail feather condition, which is considered by some to be an advantage. 
