Performance and Welfare of Laying Hens Raised on Floor in Relation to Different Housing Densities

This study analyzed the productive performance, egg quality and physiological and behavioral parameters of laying hens at different housing densities in a cage-free system, following animal welfare guidelines and improvements in animal housing in intensive systems. 252 Novogen Brown laying hens, 52 weeks old and with an average weight of 1,740 ± 0.11 kg, were used over 63 days, divided into three periods of 21 days. The study adopted a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments and seven replications. The housing densities tested were: 6 birds box-1 (0.406 m2 bird-1), 8 birds box-1 (0.305 m2 bird-1), 10 birds box-1 (0.244 m2 bird-1) and 12 birds box-1 (0.203 m2 bird-1 bird). The data were analyzed for normality of residuals, homogeneity of variance and independence of errors, using linear and quadratic regression models for each variable. In cage-free poultry production systems, housing densities of 6 to 8 birds per box can be used without affecting performance, egg quality, physiological or behavioral parameters of the hens.