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Imprint
Feeding strategies for laying hens in housing systems with free range on grass (according EU regulation 2092/91)
Project
Project code: 02OE505/F
Contract period: 15.02.2004
- 31.05.2005
Budget: 28,857 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
The objective of the research project was the investigation of ecological feeding strategies for laying hens in free range farming on grass in order to obtain data on production performance and optimal diet formulation. In a first trial section from March to July the feeding of an all-mash laying feed was compared with a combined feeding system. The combined feed consisted of a supplementary feed offered ad libitum plus wheat grains limited to a maximum of 60 g/hen/day. In a second trail section from July to November the hens were feed according the combined feeding system whereby one experimental group has no entry to free range. The experimental animals were twice 450 Tetra-SL-hens kept in two similar compartments of an aviary hen house. Parameters studied were egg production, feed intake, egg quality and the influence of the house temperature. In the first section trial the combined feeding system significantly improved the egg production with significant increase in feed intake compared with the all-mash feeding. There were no differences in egg quality. The house temperatures showed no influence on egg production. In the second trial section the effect of free range farming on grass with combined feeding was studied. Farming on free range with grass fouling significantly improved the egg production with a significant increase in feed intake and egg weight. The egg quality was not influenced by the free range. The house temperatures did not influence the egg production. Furthermore, farming on free range, as a especially natural housing system for laying hens, significantly improved the egg production and feed conversion accompanied with a higher feed intake. In conclusion, the results of the research project are important for the ecological feeding and housing of laying hens and are suitable for improvement of the biological egg production.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Animal nutrition
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
