Performance of Layers Under Various Cage Regimes

A HIGH percentage of layer operations are utilizing cages as the method of housing the birds. The advantages and disadvantages of cages as compared to floor methods have been studied by several workers (Hartman, 1953; Johnson and Zindel, 1962; Michalson, 1964; Sicer, 1964; Logan, 1965). Logan (1965) stated that if birds are to be crowded, cages should be used, while floor housing is advantageous for low density operations. Apparently certain strains of egg production type birds are better adapted to laying cage conditions than are others (Gowe, 1956; Francis, 1956). Two major decisions must be made when a cage system is installed: 1) the size of cage to use; and 2) the number of birds to be placed in each cage. Studies reporting the effects of cage size per se have been limited and the results inconclusive. The advantages and disadvantages of using multiple-bird cages have been reviewed previously (Bramhall …