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Leenstra, Ferry; Maurer, Veronika; Galea, Fabien; Bestman, Monique; Amsler-Kepalaite, Zivile; Visscher, Jeroen; Vermeij, Izak; van Krimpen, Marinus. |
Free range and organic systems expose the laying hen more to unexpected events and adverse climatic conditions than barn and cage systems. In France, The Netherlands and Switzerland the requirements for a hen suitable to produce in free range and organic systems were discussed with farmers. The farmers preferred for these systems a more ‘robust’ hen, more specifically defined as a heavier hen with good eating capacity. Benchmarking of flocks in a web-based management program in The Netherlands from layer flocks finished in 2008 – 2013 indicated that in earlier years indeed mortality among organic and to a lesser extent free range hens was higher than among barn or cage hens. Feed conversion (kg feed/kg eggs) is higher, but the gap is closing.... |
Tipo: Journal paper |
Palavras-chave: Poultry. |
Ano: 2014 |
URL: http://orgprints.org/26647/1/leenstra-etal-2014-EPS_10-1399-eps-2014-53.pdf |
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