Implications for welfare, productivity and sustainability of the variation in reported levels of mortality for laying hen flocks kept in different housing systems: A meta-analysis of ten studies

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dc.contributor.authorWeeks, Clare A.
dc.contributor.authorLambton, Sarah L.
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Adrian G.
dc.date.accessioned2016-08-22T11:37:23Z
dc.date.available2016-08-22T11:37:23Z
dc.date.issued2016-01-06
dc.description.abstractData from ten sources comprising 3,851 flocks were modelled to identify variation in levels of mortality in laying hens. The predicted increase with age was curvilinear with significant variation between the seven breed categories. Mortality was higher in loose housing systems than in cages and variable within system, confirming previous reports. Cumulative mortality (CM) was higher in flocks with intact beaks (χ2 = 6.03; df 1; p = 0.014) than in those with trimmed beaks. Most data were available for free-range systems (2,823 flocks), where producer recorded CM at 60–80 weeks of age averaged 10% but with a range from 0% to 69.3%. Life cycle assessment showed that the main effect of increased levels of hen mortality is to increase the relative contribution of breeding overheads, so increasing environmental burdens per unit of production. Reducing CM to levels currently achieved by the 1st quartile could reduce flock greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 25%. Concurrently this would enhance hen welfare and better meet the expectation of egg consumers. More research to understand the genetic x environment interaction and detailed records of the causes of mortality is required so that improved genotypes can be developed for different systems and different breeds can be better managed within systems.en_UK
dc.identifier.citationWeeks, C. A., Lambton, S. L., Williams, A. G. (2016) Implications for welfare, productivity and sustainability of the variation in reported levels of mortality for laying hen flocks kept in different housing systems: A meta-analysis of ten studies, PLoS ONE, Vol. 11, Iss. 1, pp. 1-15en_UK
dc.identifier.issn1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146394
dc.identifier.urihttp://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/10377
dc.language.isoenen_UK
dc.publisherPublic Library of Serviceen_UK
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) You are free to: Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Under the following terms: Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. Information: No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.en_UK
dc.titleImplications for welfare, productivity and sustainability of the variation in reported levels of mortality for laying hen flocks kept in different housing systems: A meta-analysis of ten studiesen_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK

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