Perch use, plumage and foot condition and bone strength in caged hens (1990)

Hughes, B. O., Appleby, M. C.

Abstract

Caging laying hens restricts movement, reduces bone strength, and affects foot conditions and plumage quality. This experiments determined whether providing perches influenced these variables. There were five treatments: front perch, rear perch, front + rear perch, long perch and control cages without perches. Half the perches were rectangular and half circular in cross section. .. Time spent perching during the daytime was ~43% and varied from 20% for the rear perch to 81% for the two perches. In all four perch treatments, rectangular perches were used more often than circular ones; the hens slipped and had difficulty maintaining their position on the latter. At night-time, the perches were generally well occupied by roosting birds. Food condition was fairly good in all treatments, being poorest with circular perches and best with rectangular ones. Control cages were intermediate. Feather damage was decreased in two treatments (two perches and a long perch) compared with controls, suggesting that adequate perching space either minimises abrasion or reduces feather pecking. Tiba strength was measured only for the front perch and the rear perch treatments: it was stronger in both (by 19 and 13%, respectively) than in control cages. .. The results make a strong case for the inclusion of perches in all battery cages.