9/27/2021 Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers - Laying Hens

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Published on July 12, 2021

Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers

Alternative housing systems for laying hens are getting more and more popular. Birds
housed in alternative systems, either aviary system, barn system, free-range or an
organic system, are having more possibilities to express their natural behavior and
therefore increased activity. Although management is completely different, nutrition
during rearing and production requires some different approaches as well. Laying hens
are increasing the nutritional need for activity and, depending on the type of system,
they are facing temperature variations. More and more often, the chickens are not beak
trimmed as well, which affects their (eating) behavior.

It is important to develop robust laying hens that continue to produce a high number of first eggs,
maintain good health and are able to resist poultry disease pressures. In order to reach a high peak
production, quality of rearing is an important factor. Poor body weight development at 5 weeks of
age leads to a poor organ development and consequently a lower egg mass during the production
cycle. The combination of more activity with the body weight development targets during rearing,
will result in a higher feed intake in alternative housing systems.

It is recommended to focus on the following management aspects: never restrict water or feed, use
similar feeder and drinker systems during rearing and production, and have a weekly measure
body weight and uniformity till 30 weeks of age, followed by a monthly body weight measurement.
For brown egg layers a uniformity of at least 85% should be targeted, and for white egg layers a
uniformity of 90%.
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Increase energy during the production period

The main difference in nutrition between cage and alternative housing is the energy 
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requirements. Birds in alternative production systems are more active and, in case they have
outdoor access, they are confronted by temperature variations. As production performance
between the systems are equal, the energy needed for production is not different. Depending on
the housing system, the temperature variation and the birds’ feathering, feed consumption can be
increased by 3 to 20%. The figure below shows the effect of housing on the energy requirement.
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increased by 3 to 20%. The figure below shows the effect of housing on the energy requirement.
Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers - Laying Hens

Energy requirement for production remains the same in different systems. However, energy

requirements for activity depends on the type of system and is therefore higher in alternative and
free range systems. Additionally, in free range systems, birds will use more energy for maintaining
their body temperature, which is affected by the outside temperature.

The effect of housing on the energy requirement of White and Brown egg layers. Housing types are
(enriched) cage, indoor (barn and aviary) and outdoor (free range and organic). Cage housing has been used
as a reference for both white and brown laying hens.

Although the energy requirement is increasing depending on the type of system, the amino acid
requirement is not. The amino acid requirement is mainly determined by daily egg mass
production and daily feed intake. As mentioned above, production performance are not different
between the different systems, and therefore nutrients required for egg mass production will not
differ as well.

So an increase in energy level from an alternative production feed compared to a cage production
feed, while maintaining the same requirements for protein and amino acids, is recommended. For
example, if feed intake is increased in an alternative system, the percentage of amino acids can be
reduced, or the level of energy can be increased to reduce daily feed intake.

Impact on bone metabolism

Skeletal health and breaking strength is affected by numerous of factors, including genetics,
nutrition and housing system. Different studies have shown a higher breaking strength in laying
hens housed in alternative systems compared with cage housed birds. This is due to activity, as
birds have more freedom to walk around and have short flights in alternative systems. Activity
increases the biomechanical load which helps to reduce bone loss and hence increase bone
stability. Although alternative systems reduce bone loss, there is a higher incidence of bone
injuries, like broken keel bones when birds are interacting with the system.

Despite there is a difference in activity and therefore in bone metabolism, there is no difference in
calcium and phosphorus recommendations. During the rearing period the balance between
Calcium and phosphorus remains Ca:P 2:1, with an increased level of calcium for egg shell
formation during the production period.
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Intact beaks and impact on feed management

It is well known that laying hens prefer to select the bigger grain particles, but it seems that laying 

hens with intact beaks even have a higher ability to select grains. Which makes feed particle size
uniformity and feed management even more important[EL1] . Make sure feed particle size has a
good distribution, with not too much fines and most of the particles of the same size. The more
uniform feed particle size, the less segregation and selection and consequently more uniform egg
size and good performance.
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9/27/2021 Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers - Laying Hens

Insoluble fiber for feather cover

Birds have a specific requirement for fiber during egg production. It has been shown that birds
that are deficient in fiber ingest feathers as a fiber source. A good supply of fiber improves
feathering, decreases mortality, and improves both gut health and digestion, which will result in
drier manure quality. Livability is positively influenced by fibers because it increases the feeling of
satiety in birds, which in turn results in quieter birds, by eliminating need for feather ingestion
(pecking and cannibalism).

Characteristics of good fiber sources for layers are insoluble fiber of a coarse structure. Cellulose,
some hemicellulose and lignin are classified as insoluble fiber. These fibers are not digested or
fermented in the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore serve as filling material that stimulate
gastrointestinal movements without increasing the viscosity of the digesta. If fiber particles are
small (finely ground), the effect on gastrointestinal movements is limited and there is a higher
occurrence of birds consuming feathers, as shown in the Table 1 below, therefore coarse (over 2
mm) fiber is recommended.

Control diet + fine Control diet + coarse

Control diet oat hulls oat hulls

Gizzard content 0.53 1.22 3.56

excluding feathers

(g DM)

Feather in gizzard (g) 0.47 0.46 0.02

Table 1. Gizzard content and feather content in gizzard ( (Hetland, Svihus, & Choct, 2005))
For laying hens housed in alternative systems, fiber content between 4.5 and 6% is recommended.
Those levels of coarse insoluble crude fiber (for example by increasing the level of oat hulls) gives
good results in terms of production parameters and livability. If more concentrated diets are being
fed, like at start of production or at hot climates, it will be challenging to reach those fiber levels,
as fiber dilutes the diet. In those situations a slightly lower coarse fiber content is recommended.

Fiber should be provided directly in the building at all times. The use of a coarse fiber such as
straw, alfalfa, wood by-products, rice husk, oat hulls, etc. is recommended. These materials must
be available in the building via the feed or directly as a bale on the scratching area. To prevent
floor eggs, fiber supply must be introduced after the peak of production when the birds are well
trained to use the nest and we advise not spreading fiber directly on the floor.

Summary
In conclusion, the main differences regarding the nutritional requirements of laying hens in
alternative systems are:
Start with robust birds by ensuring they receive the right amount of fuel for energy at start of
lay and obtain mature bodyweights in time
Amino acid requirements are not significantly different, but the levels should be adjusted
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depending on the egg mass produced and observed feed intake. Feed intake tends to be
higher in alternative systems
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In order to ensure good livability, the use of coarse insoluble fibre will improve feather cover
and will lead to more docile behavior.

References
Hetland, H., Svihus, B., & Choct, M. (2005). Role of insoluble fiber on gizzard activity in layers.
Journal of applied poultry research 38-40
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9/27/2021 Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers - Laying Hens
Journal of applied poultry research, 38-40.

Author

Estella Leentfaar

Nutritionist, Hendrix Genetics Layers

Nutrition in alternative housing systems for layers

Laying hen nutrition in alternative housing systems

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