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

• Autor(a) principal: Roll, Victor Fernando Buttow
• Data de Publicação: 2008
• Outros Autores: Briz, Ricardo Cepero, Levrino, Gustavo Adolfo Maria, Xavier, Eduardo Gonçalves
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Ciência animal brasileira (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://revistas.ufg.br/vet/article/view/1143
• topic: Produção de aves

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.