Meng, F., Chen, D., Li, X. et al. 2017. The effect of large or small furnished cages on behaviors and tibia bone of laying hens. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 17, 69-73.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of large furnished cages (LFCs) or small furnished cages (SFCs) on behavior and tibia bone of laying hens. Three hundred and sixty Hyline brown hens at 16 weeks of age were allocated into 3 treatments with 6 replicates: LFCs, SFCs, and conventional cages (CCs). The experiment was started at 18 weeks of age and finished at 34 weeks of age. The behaviors of focal animals were observed during 3 periods of 08:00-10:00, 13:00-14:00, and 16:00-17:00 on Wednesday in 20th, 24th, 28th, and 32nd week of age. Tibia bones were sampled and measured for tibia weight, length, density, and strength were measured. The results showed that walking behavior of LFC hens was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than CC hens. Standing and lying behavior for the hens in LFC was significantly more frequent than for those in SFC and CC (P < 0.05). Dust bathing and perching behavior in LFC was significantly more frequent than in SFC (P < 0.05). The hens in LFC performed significantly more comfort, drinking, preening, and fighting behavior than the SFC and CC hens (P < 0.05). Sand pecking was found to be significantly more frequent in LFC than SFC (P < 0.05). No significant effect was found on pecking by types of cages (P = 0.20). Tibia strength of the hens in LFC and SFC was significantly greater than CC (P < 0.05). Tibia weight in LFC was found to be significantly lower than SFC (P < 0.05). However, no significant effect was found on tibia density and tibia length by the types of cage (P = 0.53 and P = 0.33). The use of perches by the LFC hens was significantly higher than for the SFC hens (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LFC-allowed hens show more behaviors and had stronger or heavier tibias than the SFC and CC hens.