<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The currently used poultry farming methods, which aim to maximise economic profit, are based on ever new technological solutions that improve flock management and increase bird performance. However, they do not always meet the natural needs of birds. Every housing method and technological solution currently in use is faced with some issues, such as social stress, adverse temperature/ humidity conditions, risk of zoonoses, and behavioural pathologies, which determine poultry performance and welfare. Disregard for animal welfare involves not only ethical but also practical aspects, because well-being and housing comfort translate into better weight gains, health and productivity of the birds. The studies reported here suggest that every production system, despite the many welfare-improving aspects, causes numerous behavioural, productivity and health abnormalities in laying hens. Therefore, further research is needed to identify various risk factors for the purpose of improving housing systems and increasing the welfare of hens.</p></abstract>

The currently used poultry farming methods, which aim to maximise economic profit, are based on ever new technological solutions that improve flock management and increase bird performance. However, they do not always meet the natural needs of birds. Every housing method and technological solution currently in use is faced with some issues, such as social stress, adverse temperature/ humidity conditions, risk of zoonoses, and behavioural pathologies, which determine poultry performance and welfare. Disregard for animal welfare involves not only ethical but also practical aspects, because well-being and housing comfort translate into better weight gains, health and productivity of the birds. The studies reported here suggest that every production system, despite the many welfare-improving aspects, causes numerous behavioural, productivity and health abnormalities in laying hens. Therefore, further research is needed to identify various risk factors for the purpose of improving housing systems and increasing the welfare of hens.

The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems – A Review

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems \u2013 A Review"}

The currently used poultry farming methods, which aim to maximise economic profit, are based on ever new technological solutions that improve flock management...

The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems – A Review

Published Online: Oct 28, 2021

Page range: 1235 - 1255

Received: Jun 08, 2020

Accepted: Mar 17, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2021-0021

Keywords
laying hens, housing systems, welfare, behaviour

© 2021 Ewa Sosnówka-Czajka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Welfare Status of Hens in Different Housing Systems – A Review

Published Online: Oct 28, 2021

Page range: 1235 - 1255

Received: Jun 08, 2020

Accepted: Mar 17, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2021-0021

Keywordslaying hens, housing systems, welfare, behaviour

© 2021 Ewa Sosnówka-Czajka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
laying hens, housing systems, welfare, behaviour