Bone structure and breaking strength in laying hens housed in different husbandry systems

1. Bone structure and breaking strength were measured in hens that had been housed throughout a laying year in battery cages or in Perchery, Naturel or Litter and Wire husbandry systems. 2. Battery caged hens had the poorest bones, as assessed by measurements of cancellous bone volume, radiographic density, cortical thickness and three-point breaking strength. 3. Humeri from birds in the Litter and Wire system were less dense radiographically...