Department of Animal and Poultry Science professor Alexandra Harlander and PhD candidate Teresa Casey talk about their animal welfare research. Their research focuses on keel bone fractures in laying hens associated with commercial aviary housing systems.
To what extent do you believe that distorted or fractured keel bones might be resolved by more aggressive dietary approaches to major mineral inclusions in rearing rations? Are there adequate concerns about total calcium:digestible phosphorus ratios in the rearing diets? Does the use of phytase increase these concerns? Is there a need for more careful consideration of limestone particle size in rearing diets? Are there ways of enhancing calcium retention via manipulating calcium (and, possibly, phosphorus) homeostasis during rear and especially in early life?
dear sir/madam,
the concept of welfare to commercial laying farming in cage system which are now practiced through out the world and India is quite productive. Let us not talk more on welfare on cage system rather only one point can be talked that how to improve the cage floor space. We are poultry scientists working with layer and broilers fro years and we know how the bird is happy and why. The welfare concept which induce irregular approach for laying farming is nothing but promoting wrong concepts. Welfare of poultry are best taken up by good farms with cage systems in EC sheds and we also provide best floor space like 70-100sqinch with all modern feeding system. Let us not disturb the ideal scientific farming for food production collaboration with certain groups who have less exposures to layer and broiler productions. Yes any one doing bad management is punishable where powers can work to control the misuses. Let us not talk deviated points which are not recommended and now the new problems which are discussed about fracture of keel bone is rarely seen in good husbandry practices. dr rath