EFFECTS OF CLAW SHORTENING DEVICES IN LAYING HENS HOUSED IN FURNISHED CAGES

Authors

  • Victor Fernando Buttow Roll Universidade Federal de Pelotas
  • Ricardo Cepero Briz Universidad de Zaragoza
  • Gustavo Adolfo Maria Levrino Universidad de Zaragoza
  • Eduardo Gonçalves Xavier Universidade Federal de Pelotas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/cab.v9i4.1143

Keywords:

Produção de aves

Abstract

Seventeen weeks old ISA Brown pullets (n=642) were housed into two models of furnished cages. Model A had egg baffles with two claw shortening devices (CSD) per cage, placed in horizontal position (HP). Model B had no egg baffles and two CSD per cage were placed on the rear of feeders, in vertical position (VP). Two types of CSD were used, either abrasive strips or ceramic plates. A third group of birds was housed in conventional cages, with or without strips in VP. Several measures were taken at 18, 35, 49, 62, and 78 weeks of age in a random sample of 10% of hens. The following variables were measured: length of central claw, type and number of feet lesions (FL), and feather cover score (FC). Data were analyzed using a GLM model (SPSS package). The main effects tested were CSD type, CSD position and age. The results suggest that both CSD types were efficient for shortening hen claws and for keeping plumage in good condition, particularly if placed onto egg baffles. However, when placed in such position they may possibly have a negative impact on layers welfare by increasing frequency of toe wounds.

KEY WORDS: Claws, furnished cages, layers, toe wounds, welfare.

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Author Biographies

Victor Fernando Buttow Roll, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Dr. em Produção Animal. Depto de Zootecnia.

Ricardo Cepero Briz, Universidad de Zaragoza

Depto de Producción animal y ciencia de los alimentos. Facultad de Veterinária

Gustavo Adolfo Maria Levrino, Universidad de Zaragoza

Depto de Producción animal y ciencia de los alimentos. Facultad de Veterinária

Eduardo Gonçalves Xavier, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Depto. de Zootecnia

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Published

2008-12-21

How to Cite

ROLL, V. F. B.; BRIZ, R. C.; LEVRINO, G. A. M.; XAVIER, E. G. EFFECTS OF CLAW SHORTENING DEVICES IN LAYING HENS HOUSED IN FURNISHED CAGES. Brazilian Animal Science/ Ciência Animal Brasileira, Goiânia, v. 9, n. 4, p. 896–901, 2008. DOI: 10.5216/cab.v9i4.1143. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/vet/article/view/1143. Acesso em: 16 jul. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2008)

Section

Animal Production

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