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Cage Layer Fatigue in Poultry

Published: February 19, 2013
By: Dr. Henna Hamadani, Dr. Nida Handoo and Dr. Ifat Ashraf (Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher e Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama, Srinagar-190006)
The term cage layer fatigue was initially used in North America (Couch, 1955) to describe a leg weakness in high producing hens housed in cages. Caged layer fatigue (CLF) seems to be an extreme consequence of loss of structural bone in the vertebrae that leads to spinal bone collapseCage Layer Fatigue in Poultry - Image 1 and paralysis (Urist and Deutsch, 1960 Bell and Siller, 1962) which is and characterized by an inability to stand on their feet and fragile bones. It is mainly observed in young layer hens reared in batteries in the period of maximum egg-laying. 
Causes
  • Reduced intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3.
  • Dietary deficiency of the calcium and phosphorus.
  • Poor absorption of calcium and phosphorus through the gut.
  • Poor feeding system, generating separation of fine particle limestone in the feeders.
  • High density cages, poor feeder space and fewer feeding periods can generate competition for calcium intake and contribute to CLF in dominated birds. 
  • The condition is rarely seen in floor-housed birds, suggesting that reduced activity within the cage is a predisposing factor.
Signs
High-producing laying hens maintained in cages sometimes show paralysis during and just after the period of peak egg production due to a fracture of the vertebrae that subsequently affects the spinal cord. Birds become lame and are reluctant to stand in the cage. The fracture is caused by an impaired calcium flux related to the high output of calcium in the eggshell. Because medullary bone reserves become depleted, the bird uses cortical bone as a source of calcium for the eggshell. Affected birds are invariably found on their sides in the back of the cage. At the time of initial paralysis, birds appear healthy and often have a shelled egg in the oviduct and an active ovary. Death occurs from starvation or dehydration because the birds cannot reach feed or water. Egg shells become thin.
Treatment and Management
Cage layer fatigue is easy to prevent through proper management practices. Affected birds will recover if moved to the floor. A high incidence of cage layer fatigue can be prevented by ensuring the normal weight-for-age of pullets at sexual maturity and by giving pullets a high calcium diet (minimum 4.0% Ca) for at least 7 days prior to first oviposition. Diets must provide adequate quantities of calcium and phosphorus to prevent deficiencies. However, feeding diets that contain >2.5% calcium during the growing period produces a high incidence of nephrosis, visceral gout, calcium urate deposits in the ureters, and sometimes high mortality, especially in the presence of infectious bronchitis virus. Eggshell strength and bone strength can both be improved by feeding ~50% of the dietary calcium supplement in the form of coarse limestone, with the remaining half as fine particle limestone. Offering the coarse supplement permits the birds to satisfy their requirements when they need it  most, or allows the coarse material to be retained in the gizzard where the calcium can be absorbed continuously. A readily assimilable calcium and/or calcium phosphate supplement is effective if started very soon after paralysis due to calcium deficiency develops. Adding a vitamin/electrolyte supplement to drinking water is recommended in any age bird suffering from this condition.
References
Bell, D. J., and W. Siller, 1962. Cage layer fatigue in brown leghorns. Res. Vet. Sci. 3:219–230.
Couch, J. R., 1955. Cage layer fatigue. Feed Age 5:55–57.
Dinev, I., 2010. Cage Layer Fatigue. In: Diseases of Poultry A Colour Atlas, 2nd edition
Urist, M. R., and N. M. Deutsch, 1960. Osteoporosis in the laying hen. Endocrinology 66:377–391.
Related topics:
Authors:
Dr. H. Hamadani
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
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Aleminesh Gutema
9 de junio de 2021
Dr I have around 59 egg layer chicken i start in small house . at that time i get 38-40 egg per day .but know i bought cage for 100 chicken after the hen shifted to cage they total stop laying egg .but before that they eat their then stop laying egg what is their problem
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Gasto Andongwisye
18 de abril de 2020

Thanks much for the information and actually this will help me because I have the same problem.

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Muhammad Asif Raza
5 de octubre de 2013
cage layer fatigue is comman in layers specially which are rear on floor and than shifted in cages.THESE type of birds are more effected with cage layer fatigue.Best solution is to increase levels of calcium upto3.7%and phosphorus 0.5% in feed.
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Maheswar Rath
14 de agosto de 2013
thanks dr you have mentioned about cage layer bone problem which impact the layers. Phosphorous available levels in feed specially in layers in cages would show such problem with out that the levels of ca:P would not be maintained and vitD3 is also always added as supplement premix. Available phosphorous can be worked out using DCP and MCP which solve your problem in commercial layers. thank you sir you have come out with important points. dr m rath consultant
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