Effect of Two Floor Housing Systems and Cages on Health, Production, and Fear Response in Layers

Health, production, and fear reaction (tonic immobility) were compared in two non-beak-trimmed hybrids (1726 birds), a medium-heavy brown (LB) and a light white Leghorn (LSL), kept in three housing systems: a three-tiered “Marielund aviary,” a traditional floor system, or conventional three-hen cages from 20-80 wk of age. LB hens showed mortality rates of 21-27% in both floor systems, mainly due to bacterial infection through pecking at the...