Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de galinhas poedeiras alojadas em gaiolas convencionais (50x45x40 cm) nos índices produtivos, na viabilidade, qualidade dos ovos e comportamento das aves. A pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Bastos (SP) com duração de 18 semanas. Foram utilizadas 500 aves, da linhagem ISA Brown, distribuídas em 5 tratamentos com 25 repetições cada. Os tratamentos foram: tratamento 1: 6 aves/ gaiola (375,0 cm²), tratamento 2: 5 aves/gaiola (450,0 cm²); tratamento 3: 4 aves/gaiola (562,5 cm²); tratamento 4: 3 aves/ gaiola (750,0 cm²) e tratamento 5: 2 aves/gaiola (1.125,0 cm²). Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado, este contendo cinco tratamentos e 25 repetições. De acordo com os resultados, verificou-se que o tratamento 1 apresentou as menores médias percentuais de produção quando relacionado aos demais tratamentos, diferindo-se estatisticamente. A viabilidade e qualidade dos ovos, não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os tratamentos. Já com relação ao comportamento das aves foi possível observar que o tratamento 5 (menor densidade) foi o que expressou diferentes comportamentos e diferiu-se estatisticamente dos demais. Observou-se também que, quanto à atividade, o tratamento 5 passou menor parte do tempo \"parado\". De acordo com esses resultados, conclui-se que com o aumento da densidade, ocorreu uma significativa redução na produção e na viabilidade, porém, quanto a qualidade dos ovos, não sofreu influência significativa, em relação aos comportamentos das aves, observouse que os animais expressaram melhor o seu comportamento natural quando estavam em menor densidade, ou seja, maior espaço. / The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different densities of laying hens housed in conventional cages (50x45x40 cm) in production rates, viability, quality of eggs and bird behavior. The survey was conducted in the city of Bastos (SP) lasting 18 weeks. They were used 500 birds, ISA Brown hens, distributed in 5 treatments with 25 repetitions each. The treatments were: Treatment 1: 6 / Bird Cage (375.0 cm²), treatment 2: 5 birds / cage (450.0 cm²); treatment 3: 4 birds / cage (562.5 cm²); Treatment 4: 3 birds / cage (750.0 cm²) and treatment 5: 2 / Bird Cage (1125.0 cm²). Adopted a completely randomized design, this containing five treatments and 25 repetitions. According to the results, it was found that the treatment 1 had the lowest average percentage of production when related to other treatments, differing statistically. The viability and quality of eggs, there was no statistical difference between treatments. In relation to the behavior of birds was observed that the treatment 5 (lower density) was expressed that the different behaviors and differed statistically from the others. It was also observed that, as the activity, treatment 5 spent less of their time \"stopped\". According to these results, we conclude that with the consolidation of the cages, it was noticeable that the production and mortality has a significant worsening, as the quality of eggs, there was no influence of the different densities of the conduct of the birds, it is observed that the animals best express their natural behavior when they are in lower density, or larger space.

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de galinhas poedeiras alojadas em gaiolas convencionais (50x45x40 cm) nos índices produtivos, na viabilidade, qualidade dos ovos e comportamento das aves. A pesquisa foi realizada na cidade de Bastos (SP) com duração de 18 semanas. Foram utilizadas 500 aves, da linhagem ISA Brown, distribuídas em 5 tratamentos com 25 repetições cada. Os tratamentos foram: tratamento 1: 6 aves/ gaiola (375,0 cm²), tratamento 2: 5 aves/gaiola (450,0 cm²); tratamento 3: 4 aves/gaiola (562,5 cm²); tratamento 4: 3 aves/ gaiola (750,0 cm²) e tratamento 5: 2 aves/gaiola (1.125,0 cm²). Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado, este contendo cinco tratamentos e 25 repetições. De acordo com os resultados, verificou-se que o tratamento 1 apresentou as menores médias percentuais de produção quando relacionado aos demais tratamentos, diferindo-se estatisticamente. A viabilidade e qualidade dos ovos, não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os tratamentos. Já com relação ao comportamento das aves foi possível observar que o tratamento 5 (menor densidade) foi o que expressou diferentes comportamentos e diferiu-se estatisticamente dos demais. Observou-se também que, quanto à atividade, o tratamento 5 passou menor parte do tempo \"parado\". De acordo com esses resultados, conclui-se que com o aumento da densidade, ocorreu uma significativa redução na produção e na viabilidade, porém, quanto a qualidade dos ovos, não sofreu influência significativa, em relação aos comportamentos das aves, observouse que os animais expressaram melhor o seu comportamento natural quando estavam em menor densidade, ou seja, maior espaço. / The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different densities of laying hens housed in conventional cages (50x45x40 cm) in production rates, viability, quality of eggs and bird behavior. The survey was conducted in the city of Bastos (SP) lasting 18 weeks. They were used 500 birds, ISA Brown hens, distributed in 5 treatments with 25 repetitions each. The treatments were: Treatment 1: 6 / Bird Cage (375.0 cm²), treatment 2: 5 birds / cage (450.0 cm²); treatment 3: 4 birds / cage (562.5 cm²); Treatment 4: 3 birds / cage (750.0 cm²) and treatment 5: 2 / Bird Cage (1125.0 cm²). Adopted a completely randomized design, this containing five treatments and 25 repetitions. According to the results, it was found that the treatment 1 had the lowest average percentage of production when related to other treatments, differing statistically. The viability and quality of eggs, there was no statistical difference between treatments. In relation to the behavior of birds was observed that the treatment 5 (lower density) was expressed that the different behaviors and differed statistically from the others. It was also observed that, as the activity, treatment 5 spent less of their time \"stopped\". According to these results, we conclude that with the consolidation of the cages, it was noticeable that the production and mortality has a significant worsening, as the quality of eggs, there was no influence of the different densities of the conduct of the birds, it is observed that the animals best express their natural behavior when they are in lower density, or larger space.

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems.

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems.

Production, egg quality, behaviour, and physical condition were compared from Wk 20 to Wk 50 among three beak- trimmed commercial laying strains, Lohmann White (LW), H & N White (HN), Lohmann Brown (LB), and a non-commercial Cross between Rhode Island Red (male) and Barred Plymouth Rock (female) in conventional cages and in floor pens. All chicks were reared in their respective environments, and 450 and 432 pullets were housed at 18 and 7 weeks of age in cages and floor pens respectively. Hens in cages were provided with 688 cm2/bird and those in pens with over 6,000 cm2/bird, both of which are more than provided by commercial standards. Body weights and eggshell weights were higher for birds in floor pens than those in cages, and although they increased with age, body weight of hens in cages decreased at Wk 50. White-egg layers (LW, HN) used perches and nest boxes more than Brown-egg layers (LB, Cross). During the laying period, mortality was higher for all strains in cages and during the rearing period mortality was higher in floor pens for LB hens but not other strains. No aggressive behaviours were found, but the frequency of gentle feather pecking and pecking at the enclosure was higher in cages than in floor pens. Feather condition deteriorated over time in cages mainly because of contact with the cage wires whereas in floor pens, feather condition of birds at Wk 20 was not different from that at Wk 50. The frequency of keel bone deformities was higher for White-egg layers than for Brown-egg layers in cages and was higher for Cross hens than other strains in floor pens. Claws were longer in cages than in the floor pens. Foot condition was worse in floor pens than in cages. The welfare indicators used in this study showed that cages restricted the hens' behaviour compared to floor pens and resulted in higher laying period mortality, reduced body weight and deteriorated feather condition than floor pens. Both systems had advantages and disadvantages in regard to the hens’ health and welfare. The use of environmental complexities was strain specific in floor pens. The environment by genotype interactions suggests that the strain should be considered when considering alternative housing systems. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate