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ABSTRACT This study assessed the effect of strain and enriched cage stocking density on performance, egg size distribution, egg quality, and welfare status in laying hens. Lohmann brown (LB) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) strains at 20 weeks of age were allotted to different cage stocking densities, with 1016, 762, or 610 cm2 of cage floor area per hen. Live body weight at the age at sexual maturity and at 52 weeks of age, feather condition, and some egg quality parameters differed between hen strains and among stocking densities (p0.05). Furthermore, egg size distribution was similar between hen strains (p>0.05), but dissimilar among stocking densities (p

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of age, housing environment, and strain (Lohmann Sandy (LS) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW)) on egg quality traits. Deep litter (DL), free access to outdoor Mentha piperita (MP), Petroselinum crispum (PC), and Medicago sativa (MS) vegetated environments were examined. A total of 260 four-week-old birds were randomly distributed to DL and outdoor plant-associated groups, with four and three replicates, respectively, and 10 birds per replicate. Eggs were analyzed between 26 and 52 weeks of hen age, every 4 weeks. Overall, all egg quality parameters significantly differed as hen age increased (p0.05). Strain significantly affected shape index, shell thickness, albumen height, albumen index, Haugh unit, albumen pH, yolk index, and yolk color score. LS eggs had higher shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, and yolk color score (p0.05). This study showed that allowing hens access to MS, PC, or MP plant species improved shell quality traits. Moreover, it appears that there is a greater genetic variability in albumen and yolk quality traits.

ABSTRACT This study determined the effect of layer age, egg-laying time, cage tier, and cage direction (outward-inward) on egg quality parameters of commercial layer chickens reared in enriched cages. A total of 944 layers (approximately 100 eggs every four weeks, from the 26 to the 58th week) obtained from Lohmann LSL-Classic layers reared at the Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Ayhan Şahenk Agricultural Application and Research Centre were analyzed. Laying hen age significantly affected all the egg quality variables (p0.05). Furthermore, it was found that cage direction had a significant effect on egg weight, shell thickness, egg surface area, and all the internal egg quality traits, except for yolk color score (p

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of housing environment on performance parameters of the Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) and Lohmann Sandy (LS) strains. The deep litter (DL), free access to outdoor Mentha piperita (MP), Petroselinum crispum (PC), and Medicago sativa (MS) housing environments were examined. A total of 260 four-week-old birds were randomly allotted to DL and outdoor plant-associated groups, with four and three replicates, respectively, and 10 birds per replicate. Data collection for weekly feed intake began at 4 weeks until the end of the study. Weekly hen weights were measured from 4 weeks of age until the age of 50% egg production; and then later, at 52 weeks of age. From the day of the first egg until the last day of the study, eggs laid in each nest box tier (upper, middle, bottom, and floor) were recorded and weighed at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m. Housing environment influenced the age at first egg and 50% egg production, hen-day egg production, feed intake during the egg-laying period, feed conversion ratio, average egg weight, and egg size distribution (p