Authors : H. Banga-Mboko, J.S. Mabas and P.P. Adzona
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of laying hens to battery cages under tropical climate in Congo Brazzaville. A Sample of 3,620 laying hens was split in 2 groups of 1,660 each. Each group was replicated 4 times (415 hens x4) and separately transferred into battery cages (first group). The second group was raised on the floor in a deep litter. Food and water were supplied ad libitum. The 2 groups were compared on data collected during 70 days on egg production, egg and shell quality and food efficiency. The battery cages improved significantly (p<0.05) egg number (+55%), as well as egg-laying rate (+ 25.3%), mass egg (+59.6%), egg weight (+2.3%). Also, food consumption (199.2 kg versus 155.7 kg/hen/day) and food efficiency (2.7 versus 3.42) were better (p<0.05) in caged laying hens than in hens raised in floor pens. However, the battery cages system produced more broken eggs (+1.08%). There was no difference in egg and shell quality between the 2 groups. Egg production and food efficiency being the major index of performance of commercial layer business, the battery cages may be preferred. However, because of the percentage of broken eggs in cages and the high cost of the battery cages, an economical study is needed to investigate the profitability of each housing system and therefore to validate one of the two housing systems in Congo.
H. Banga-Mboko, J.S. Mabas and P.P. Adzona, 2010. Effect of Housing System (Battery Cages Versus Floor Pen) on Performance of Laying Hens under Tropical Conditions in Congo Brazzaville. Research Journal of Poultry Sciences, 3: 1-4.