The Influence of Laying Hen Rearing Systems and Maintenance Technologies on Egg Quality Parameters: A Review
Keywords:
egg quality, hen welfare, laying hens, physical characteristics, production systemAbstract
This review article highlighted the effects of different rearing systems on egg quality parameters and the welfare of laying hens. Different housing systems for laying hens continue to cause controversy among consumers, researchers, environmentalists, and producers. The main concern and issue is the effect of these systems on bird health, behavior, and egg quality. In the European Union, public concern has increased about animal welfare in the poultry sector, since 2012 conventional battery cages (CC) for laying hens have been banned and replaced by other alternative housing systems: enriched cages (EC) and non-cages systems, such as aviaries (AV), and free-range system. The rearing systems and maintenance technologies of the laying hens can also influence the quality parameters of the egg. Conventional rearing systems can involve overcrowding of hens, poor hygiene conditions, or lack of access to space and natural light, which can lead to stress and disease in the birds and, by implication, reduced egg quality. The use of modern technologies in the breeding of laying hens can contribute to the improvement of egg quality parameters and the well-being of laying hens. These technologies include automated systems for feeding and watering, temperature and humidity control in rearing houses, artificial lighting, and the use of food supplements to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
References
Denli M., Yesilmen Apl S., Vural A., (2019). Effects of dietary oregano essential oil on performance, egg quality and egg shell bacterial contamination in laying hens house in free-range. Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXII, Issue 1, ISSN 2285-5750, 79-84.
F.X. Philippe, Y. Mahmoudi, D. Cinq-Mars, M. Lefrançois, N. Moula, J. Palacios, F. Pelletier, S. Godbout, Comparison of egg production, quality and composition in three production systems for laying hens, Livestock Science, Volume 232, 2020, 103917, ISSN 1871-1413
Tauson, R. (2005). Management and housing systems for layers - Effects on welfare and production. Proceedings of The Nutrition Society –Proc Nutr Soc-Engl Scot. 61. 477-490. 10.1079/WPS200569.
Lewko, L. & Gornowicz, E., (2011). Effect of Housing System on Egg Quality in Laying Hens. Annals of Animal Science. 11. 10.2478/v10220-011-0012-0.
Nowaczewski, S., Lewko, L., Kucharczyk, M., Stuper-Szablewska, K., Rudzińska, M., Cegielska-Radziejewska, R., Biadała, A., Szulc, K., Tomczyk, Ł., Kaczmarek, S., Hejdysz, M. & Szablewski, T. (2021). Effect of laying hens age and housing system on physicochemical characteristics of eggs. Annals of Animal Science, 21(1) 291-309.
M. Lordelo, E. Fernandes, R.J.B. Bessa, S.P. Alves, (2017). Quality of eggs from different laying hen production systems, from indigenous breeds and specialty eggs, Poultry Science, Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 1485-1491, ISSN 0032-5791.
Ledvinka, Z. & Zita, Lukáš & Klesalová, L.. (2012). Egg quality and some factor s influencing it: A review. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica. 2012. 46-52.
Škrbić, Z., Pavlovski, Z., Lukic, M., Vitorovic, D., Petricevi, V., Stojanovic, Lj. (2011). Changes of egg quality properties with the age of layer hens in traditional and conventional production. Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry. 27. 659-667. 10.2298/BAH1103659S.
El-Sabrout, K., Aggag, S., & Mishra, B. (2022). Advanced Practical Strategies to Enhance Table Egg Production. Scientifica, 2022, 1393392.
Rodenburg, T. B., Tuyttens, F., de Reu, K., Herman, L., Zoons, J., & Sonck, B. (2008). Welfare assessment of laying hens in furnished cages and non-cage systems: an on-farm comparison. Animal Welfare, 17(4), 363-373.
Dawkins, M. (2017). Battery cages and non-cage systems for laying hens: history and prospects. Animal Welfare, 26(2), 139-149.
Englmaierová M, Tůmová E, Charvátová V, Skřivan M. Effects of laying hens housing system on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, and egg microbial contamination. Czech J. Anim. Sci.. 2014;59(8):345-352.
Hartcher, K. & Jones, B. (2017). The welfare of layer hens in cage and cage-free housing systems. World's Poultry Science Journal. 73. 1-15. 10.1017/S0043933917000812.
Rodenburg, T. B., Van Krimpen, M. M., De Jong, I. C., De Hass, E. N., Kopa, M. S., Riedstra, B. J., Nicol, C. J. (2013). The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: identifying the underlying principles. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 69(2), 361–374.
Jasper L.T. Heerkens, Evelyne Delezie, Ine Kempen, Johan Zoons, Bart Ampe, T. Bas Rodenburg, Frank A.M. Tuyttens, (2015). Specific characteristics of the aviary housing system affect plumage condition, mortality and production in laying hens, Poultry Science, Volume 94, Issue 9, Pages 2008-2017, ISSN 0032-5791.
Petek M, Alpay F, Gezen SS, Cibik R (2009) Efects of Housing System and Age on Early Stage Egg Production and Quality in Commercial Laying Hens. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak 15: 57-62.
Küçükyılmaz, K., Bozkurt, M., Herken, E. N., Cınar, M., Catlı, A. U., Bintaş, E., & Cöven, F. (2012). Effects of rearing systems on performance, egg characteristics and immune response in two layer hen genotype. Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences, 25(4), 559–568.
Gerzilov V, Alexandrova A, Petrov P, Boncheva V, Keranova N, Andreeva M, Georgieva A, Tzvetanova E. (2022). Changes in the Oxidative Status of Dual-Purpose Hens Rearing in the Free-Range System during Cold, Thermoneutral and Hot Period. Animals, 12(19):2650.
Yılmaz-Dikmen B, İpek A, Şahan Ü, Sözcü A, Baycan SC. Impact of diferent housing systems and age of layers on egg quality characteristics. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 2017; 41 (1): 77-84. doi:10.3906/vet-1604-71.
Kraus, A., Zita, L. & Krunt, O. (2020). The effect of different housing system on quality parameters of eggs in relationship to the age in brown egg-laying hens. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science. 25. 1246-1253.
Manohar G. R. (2015). Designer egg production-an overview. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, 4(5):1373–1376.
Grashorn M., (2016). Handbook on Natural Pigments in Food and Beverages. Sawston, UK: Woodhead Publishing; Feed additives for influencing chicken meat and egg yolk color; pp. 283–302.
Gavriș T., Cornescu G., Sărăcilă M., Panaite T., Oancea A., Untea A., Dragotoiu D., (2022). Effect of parsley and inulin on bioproductive parameters and antioxidant nutrients of eggs provided by laying hens reared under heat stress conditions.Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXV, Issue 2, ISSN 2285-5750, 158-166
Hidalgo, A. M. Rossi, F. Clerici, S. Ratti, (2008). A market study on the quality characteristics of eggs from different housing systems, Food Chemistry, Volume 106, Issue 3, Pages 1031-1038, ISSN 0308-8146.
Mugnai, C., Dal Bosco, A., & Castellini, C. (2009). Effect of rearing system and season on the performance and egg characteristics of Ancona laying hens. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 8(2), 175–188.
Dong, X. & Yin, Z. & Ma, Y. & Cao, H. & Dong, D. (2017). Effects of rearing systems on laying performance, egg quality, and serum biochemistry of Xianju chickens in summer. Poultry Science. 96. 10.3382/ps/pex155.
Zeltner, E., & Hirt, H. (2003). Effect of artificial structuring on the use of laying hen runs in free-range system. British Poultry Science, 44(4), 533–537.
Van den Brand, Henry & Parmentier, Henk & Kemp, Bas. (2005). Effect of housing system (outdoor vs cages) and age of laying hens on egg characteristics. British poultry science. 45. 745-52.
Damaziak, K., Musielak, M., Musielak, C., Riedel, J., & Gozdowski, D. (2021). Reproductive performance and quality of offsprings of parent stock of layer hens after rearing in open and closed aviary system. Poultry science, 100(2), 1120–1131.
Rodenburg, T. B., Tuyttens, F. A., & Sonck, B. (2010). Welfare, health, and hygiene of laying hens housed in furnished cages and in alternative housing systems. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 13(1), 20-27.
