Animal Welfare for Organic-Laying Hens ✔
Senior laying hens -optimization of animal welfare and significant extension of the residence period for vital senior laying hens in organic farming
Project description
As laying hens are generally only kept for a production period of around 12 months and are replaced by new pullets every year, this means that around 50% of the chicks that hatch - the males - are killed as day-old chicks. This ethically problematic practice was the reason for initiating this project, which aimed to develop alternative solutions.
The aim of the project was to investigate the possibilities of extending the rearing and useful life of laying hens by introducing a laying break. The effects of this extended period of utilisation were evaluated at animal level using defined animal welfare indicators. In addition, an economic analysis was carried out on farms that keep hens for a longer period of time.
The project showed that healthy animals are a prerequisite for the successful establishment of a longer rearing period. The regeneration phase should therefore be used, for example, for health maintenance measures.
These and other results as well as a detailed project description can be found in the final report attached below and in the practice sheet.
