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Welfare of Laying Hens

Welfare of Laying Hens

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Welfare of Laying Hens

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  1. Welfare Inspection Of Laying Hens- Caged & Alternative • Jarlath O’ Connor VI • Animal Health And Welfare Division

  2. Systems

  3. Main players Monaghan (37%) Cavan (14%) Rest (49%) Where in Ireland?

  4. System Distribution? • Main players • Monaghan (66%) • Cavan (1%)?

  5. Main players Cavan (21%) Monaghan (20%) Rest (39%) System Distribution?

  6. Alternative Systems • S.I. 98/2002 • All built/rebuilt/re-instated > 01/01/2002 • For all > 01/01/2007 • Facilities • Nests • One nest/ 7 hens • Group nests- 1m2/120 hens

  7. Alternative Systems • Perches • No sharp edges • Not above litter • 15 cm/hen • 30 cm horiz. b/t perches • 20 cm horiz. b/t perch and wall • Levels • No more than 4 levels • < 54 cm headroom b/t levels • Equal food and water access • Droppings

  8. Cage Systems • Un-enriched (conventional) Cages • From 01/01/2003 but not > 01/01/2012 hens may be kept in un-enriched cages • 550 cm2/hen unrestricted • Height >40 cm over 65% of cage or not < 35 cm at any point

  9. Cage Systems • Un-enriched (conventional) Cages • From 01/01/2003 on: • Floor support forward facing claws • Slope of floor not > 14% or 8 degrees

  10. CAGE SLOPE Cage depth (R) 50 cm Cage Height at back (P) 33 cm Cage height at front (S) 40 cm Floor slope (80) 7.9 0 (To Calculate: Tan x0 = Q/R) (Therefore slope = x0 = Tan-1[(S-P) / R] ) Cage Systems P S Q R

  11. Cage Systems • Un-enriched (conventional) Cages • From 01/01/2003 on: • Cage fitted with suitable claw shortener

  12. Cage Systems • Enriched Cages • From 01/01/2003 on: • Total area of > 2000 cm2 • 750 cm2/hen (at least 600 cm2 usuable/ hen) • Height > 20 cm at every point

  13. Cage Systems • Enriched Cages • From 01/01/2003 on: • Nest • Litter • 15 cm perch/hen/cage • Claw shortener

  14. Is ventilation satisfactory? • Ventilation • Keep temp., gas, dust and rel. humidity within healthy limits • Maximum Vent. Rate • Minimum Vent. Rate • Air circulation • Uniform • Draught-free

  15. Is ventilation satisfactory? • Noxious gas build-up? • Poor Ventilation • Low ambient temp. • Waste removal • Wet litter • Ammonia • 5-15: Detectable by smell • 10-20: Adverse effects on humans • 25-50: Increased risk of resp. dis. • 50+: Direct effect on layers R.R/eyes

  16. Is ventilation satisfactory? • What to look for? • Thermometers • Automated thermostats • Air quality in shed • Litter quality • Faeces disposal

  17. Lighting Darkness is deprivation S.I. 98/2002 Light sufficient to allow hens see eachother, be seen, to investigate and act normally 24 hr cycle with twilight and 8 hours uninterrupted darkness 35-65 lux Stage of cycle Lower tiers of cages Aggression Localised bunching Forced moulting How long is rest period where artificial light is used?

  18. Litter adequacy/condition? • S.I. 98/2002 • Materials • Health • Mites • Worms • Behaviour • Foraging • Scratching • Enriched cages? • Adequate litter to allow pecking/scratching/hen

  19. Equipment Maintenance • Questions? • How regularly is automated equipment checked? • > once/day • What alternatives are present should feeding or environmental equipment breakdown? • Action plan • Is there a functioning alarm system and generator? • Must be present

  20. Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water? • Feeders • S.I. 98/2002 • Alternative • Unrestricted access • 10 cm linear feeder/hen • 4 cm circular feeder/hen • Un-enriched • 10 cm feeder/hen • Enriched • 12 cm feeder/hen

  21. Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water? • Water supply • S.I. 98/2002 • Alternative • Unrestricted access • 2.5 cm/hen continous drinkers • 1 cm/hen circular trough • One nipple-drinker or cup/ 10 hens • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nipple-drinkers or cups within reach of each hen

  22. Are the hens provided with adequate feed and water? • Water supply • S.I. 98/2002 • Un-enriched • Unrestricted access • 10 cm linear trough/hen • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nipple-drinkers or cups/cage • Enriched • Unrestricted access • Plumbed drinking points – 2 nipple-drinkers or cups/hen/cage

  23. The End

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