Sunday 27 May 2012
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07/02/2012 15:45:41
Verandas and egg shell examination could improve hen welfare says Morrisons
Poultry experts from Bristol University, funded by The Morrisons Farming Programme, examined health challenges facing the modern free range laying hen and identified where they think improvements could be made.
The report suggested verandas for the birds and the early scrutiny of eggshells, which can reveal signs of stress and health problems, could improve their welfare.
Adjustments to the time at which pullets, hens under a year old, are introduced to the laying farm are also suggested.
The report stated that there has been "astonishingly little" research into the subject by the scientific community to date.
Results from the report will be shared with egg farmers who are part of Morrisons’ producer group network and who supply the food retailer with free range eggs for its own Natures Nest brand.
One measure suggested in Managing health risks in free-range laying hens is verandas, or winter gardens, for the birds. The glass structures would keep the birds dry and offer sunlight, exercise, reduced stocking density and clean air without the exposure to predators, wild birds and infection.
It also explains that early treatment of birds laying eggs which show telltale signs of distress on the shell, such as white specks, lumps or ridging, may help avoid long term ill health and poor productivity.
Morrisons Agriculture Manager Louise Welsh said: "More and more hens are now being raised in free range conditions, yet to date there’s been a dearth of research activity to address the vital area of hen health.
"This new report has provided what’s arguably the first review of current laying hen health in Britain and offers farmers practical advice on steps that can help them improve bird health and of course business profitability."
Dr Claire Weeks from the University of Bristol, who led the research, added: "What we found was there is astonishingly little scientific or published evidence-based information on the health of free range hens. This is all the more surprising given the substantial shift to this production method in Britain in recent years, which is associated with a greater risk of exposure to pathogens and parasites.
"Morrisons are to be congratulated for continuing to invest in poultry welfare on behalf of their farmers, with a view to helping them improve bird health and reduce production costs associated with bird ill health."
The latest report builds on Morrisons’ previously commissioned work in poultry welfare, including encouraging hens to range better and how the use of enrichment in broiler chicken sheds can positively impact on bird well being.
The Morrisons Farming Programme is a cross agricultural initiative that sees the retailer investing in a broad range of applied research which can help build farming industry sustainability.
The report suggested verandas for the birds and the early scrutiny of eggshells, which can reveal signs of stress and health problems, could improve their welfare.
Adjustments to the time at which pullets, hens under a year old, are introduced to the laying farm are also suggested.
The report stated that there has been "astonishingly little" research into the subject by the scientific community to date.
Results from the report will be shared with egg farmers who are part of Morrisons’ producer group network and who supply the food retailer with free range eggs for its own Natures Nest brand.
One measure suggested in Managing health risks in free-range laying hens is verandas, or winter gardens, for the birds. The glass structures would keep the birds dry and offer sunlight, exercise, reduced stocking density and clean air without the exposure to predators, wild birds and infection.
It also explains that early treatment of birds laying eggs which show telltale signs of distress on the shell, such as white specks, lumps or ridging, may help avoid long term ill health and poor productivity.
Morrisons Agriculture Manager Louise Welsh said: "More and more hens are now being raised in free range conditions, yet to date there’s been a dearth of research activity to address the vital area of hen health.
"This new report has provided what’s arguably the first review of current laying hen health in Britain and offers farmers practical advice on steps that can help them improve bird health and of course business profitability."
Dr Claire Weeks from the University of Bristol, who led the research, added: "What we found was there is astonishingly little scientific or published evidence-based information on the health of free range hens. This is all the more surprising given the substantial shift to this production method in Britain in recent years, which is associated with a greater risk of exposure to pathogens and parasites.
"Morrisons are to be congratulated for continuing to invest in poultry welfare on behalf of their farmers, with a view to helping them improve bird health and reduce production costs associated with bird ill health."
The latest report builds on Morrisons’ previously commissioned work in poultry welfare, including encouraging hens to range better and how the use of enrichment in broiler chicken sheds can positively impact on bird well being.
The Morrisons Farming Programme is a cross agricultural initiative that sees the retailer investing in a broad range of applied research which can help build farming industry sustainability.
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