Schreiter R, Becker S, Fitz L, Krieg J, Schulte-Huxel P, Schröder A, Slama J, Louton H, Hofmann P.

doi:10.1016/j.psj.2026.107859

Summary

This factorial field trial investigated whether management decisions during pullet rearing have persistent effects on welfare and productivity through an extended 84-week laying cycle. Using 1,520 non-beak-trimmed laying hens, the authors found that earlier aviary opening (day 14/17 versus day 28/31) significantly reduced plumage damage, skin injuries, and keel bone deviations throughout lay, whilst moderately elevated dietary fibre during rearing provided inconsistent welfare benefits and paradoxically increased plumage damage despite reducing keel bone deviations. Neither treatment substantially affected laying performance or feed intake, suggesting that pullet rearing protocols can influence long-term skeletal and integument health without compromising productive output.

Regional applicability

The findings are applicable to United Kingdom poultry production, where extended laying cycles and non-beak-trimmed systems are increasingly promoted. The study provides practical evidence on pullet rearing protocols that may inform UK guidance on welfare in aviary systems, though the specific bird genotype and housing design should be confirmed for local applicability.

Key measures

Plumage damage, skin injuries, keel bone deviations, keel bone fractures, laying performance, feed intake, mortality, egg quality traits (albumen consistency), survival probability

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated persistent effects of early versus late aviary opening and dietary fiber levels during pullet rearing on hen welfare indicators (plumage damage, skin injuries, keel bone deviations and fractures), laying performance, egg quality, and survival over an 84-week extended laying cycle. Early aviary opening reduced integument and skeletal damage, whilst elevated dietary fiber showed mixed effects on welfare with no consistent long-term benefit.

Theme: Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject: Poultry & egg production
Study type: Research
Study design: Field trial
Source type: Peer-reviewed study
Status: Published
System type: Poultry
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.107859
Catalogue ID: NRmvhcpjm5-002

Topic tags

poultry pullet rearing laying hens keel bone health animal welfare extended laying cycles

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Long-term effects of aviary management and dietary fiber during pullet rearing on performance, egg quality, integument, and keel bone condition in extended laying cycles.