FAI Explores Cage-free Egg Production in Brazil

BRAZIL – Based on the results of the first two flocks, good results can be achieved by laying hens kept in a cage-free house in Brazil, says Murilo Quintiliano, Executive Director of FAI Brazil.
calendar icon 4 November 2013
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At first sight, the facility used for the cage-free laying hen at FAI is similar to the standard Brazilian broiler shed.

The side walls are solid below netting and curtains can be adjusted for the weather conditions. The house measures 130 metres by 12 metres, divided in two by a central service area with the water tanks, feed distribution machinery and storage space.

There is a natural floor with bedding of wood shavings and soya hulls. Pop holes have been built into the house as ‘emergency exits’ and to offer the potential for free-range.

Water is provided in bell drinkers and feed distribution is automatic from bins where feed is delivered in bulk. Neither antibiotics nor meat and bone meal are included in the feed.

Climate control, which is a key consideration with Brazilian weather particularly dry-season heat, is semi-automatic with vents, fans and a fogging system. Birds are stocked at six per square meter, with perching space at 15cm per bird.

While the project is in its early stages of bird evaluation a simple box arrangement provides one laying nest to five birds, and the birds are managed by three people. Egg collection is completed manually, five times per day.

The main challenges to this type of production, says Mr Quintiliano, are related to the humidity and thunderstorms. These can be linked to a low level of cannibalism and an episode of panic smothering. In this trial, when the most challenging weather conditions have occurred, additional environment enrichment has been provided to manage injurious pecking.

A sudden drop in egg production occurred after a power cut on a particularly hot day disrupted the ventilation management system, demonstrating how critical climate control is in cage-free systems. However, overall mortalities were just 0.033 per cent and 0.021 per cent in the two flocks.

Good handling and management controls specific to this type of system have delivered good production results. Ninety-six per cent were in-lay by the 8th week, which is higher than the standard curve of the same strain kept in cages reports Mr Quintiliano.

With many supply chains considering cage-free alternatives, the early indications of the FAI Brazil trial would suggest high levels of productivity can be achieved with appropriate management protocols for these specific systems.

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