A Comparison of Bone Strength of Caged and Floor Layers and Roosters

Abstract

It is generally believed that hens kept in wire cages exhibit a condition of bone fragility which often results in bone breakage during processing, causing down grading of the ready-to-cook hens. This phenomenon is not normally observed in floor layers. A review of the literature indicates that essentially no research has been reported comparing the bone strength of caged and floor layers. However, Adams et al. (1968) examined a small sample of hens obtained from a commercial processing plant, and reported that the breaking strength of hens kept in cages was slightly better than those maintained on the floor. The study reported herein was conducted to compare bone breaking strength of hens and roosters with a similar background when maintained in cages and in floor pens. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE An experiment involving two trials was conducted to compare the bone breaking strength of hens maintained in wire cages and in floor . . .