Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens
Rattachement africain : au, vn, Tanzanie, bd. Niveau de preuve : code pays fourni par la source.
Le résumé fourni par la source
Context AM/PM feeding (also known as ‘split-feeding’) is designed to meet a hens’ nutrient requirement via two diets, namely, high protein and energy in the morning/early afternoon (AM) and high calcium during the mid-afternoon/evening (PM), compared with a single conventional diet over 24 h. Aims The study aimed to investigate the effects of AM/PM feeding on free-range laying hens, focusing on welfare, behaviour and health. It was hypothesised that AM/PM feeding, aligned with the hen’s diurnal physiology, would improve behaviour, welfare, and health compared with a conventional diet. Methods The study was conducted at a free-range research facility by using two dietary treatments, namely, conventional layer hen diet (Control) and the AM/PM diet. Diets were fed to nine replicate pens of 20 hens each, giving a total of 360 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (18 pens) when they were between 34 and 53 weeks of age (WOA). The AM diet (2980 kcal/kg apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), 20.1% crude protein (CP), 2.5% calcium (Ca) was provided from 08:00 hours to 16:00 hours, and the PM diet (2580 kcal/kg AMEn, 17.5% CP, 5.6% Ca) from 16:00 hours to 08:00 hours. In contrast, the conventional diet (2780 kcal/kg AMEn, 18.8% CP, 4.1% Ca) was provided continuously. Hen behaviour was recorded using overhead cameras between 49 and 50 WOA and assessed via behavioural ethogram. Individual hen ranging behaviour was monitored using radio-frequency identification (RFID) from 39 to 48 WOA. Hen fearfulness was evaluated through tonic immobility and novel object test during 51–52 WOA. At 53 WOA, hens were assessed for health, tibia bone quality, and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites. Key results AM/PM feeding reduced feather pecking (P = 0.01) and increased outdoor range use (2.85 vs 2.47 h/day; P < 0.001). It also showed an effect approaching statistical significance for faster exploration of novel objects (P = 0.08). AM/PM feeding improved tibia ash content (P = 0.03) and breaking strength (P = 0.04). Conclusions AM/PM feeding demonstrated potential benefits for laying hen welfare, including reduced feather pecking, increased outdoor activity, and improved bone health, compared with the conventional diet. Implications AM/PM feeding may enhance the health and welfare of free-range laying hens, although further long-term studies are needed to confirm its potential.
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Le contrôle bibliographique ouvert
DOI retrouvé dans Crossref DOI retrouvé ; titre concordant.
- Titre Crossref
- Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens
- Date Crossref
- 22/04/2025
- Éditeur
- CSIRO Publishing
- Type
- journal-article
Ce recoupement confirme des métadonnées liées au DOI. Il ne confirme ni la méthode ni les conclusions de l’étude, et il ne compte pas comme une seconde source scientifique indépendante.
Où se fait cette recherche
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University of New England pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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National Institute of Animal Sciences pays non établi dans la noticeStructure de recherche
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Vietnam National University of Agriculture pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisme public
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Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Tanzanie (code pays fourni par la source)Organisme public
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Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute pays non établi dans la noticeStructure de recherche
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Animal pays non établi dans la noticeStructure de recherche
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Department of Livestock Services pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisme public
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The University of Melbourne pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Deakin University pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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ASchool of Environmental and Rural Science pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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CAgriculture and Food pays non établi dans la noticeInstitution
University of New England, National Institute of Animal Sciences et Vietnam National University of Agriculture, avec 9 autres affiliations. Pays d’affiliation : Tanzanie.
Une affiliation ne permet pas de déduire la nationalité d’un auteur.