Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Nutritional management of free range laying hens

Free range laying hens can be provided with the opportunity to access various structural areas including open floor space, feed areas, water lines, nest boxes, perches, aviary tiers, winter gardens and ranges. Different individual location preferences can lead to the development of hen subpopulations that are characterised by various performance, health, and welfare parameters.

Understanding the complexity of hen movement and hen interactions within their environment provides an opportunity to limit the disadvantages that are associated with housing in non-caged husbandry systems and aids in decision-making for farm staff, managers, and equipment designers.

This work highlights the dynamics of hen movement in free range systems, and its impact on hen performance and egg quality. Integrating knowledge about flock subpopulations into modern flock management will not only ensure that elite hens are able to use their full genetic potential, but will also help to improve the care of under-performing hens, allowing a more ethical, sustainable and welfare friendly egg production.

Project date

1 Jan 2016-31 Dec 2019
Visit website

Principal investigator

Isabelle Runkhe

Research organisations

Project funded by

Eggs

Australian Eggs

Australian Eggs is a member owned not-for-profit company providing marketing and research & development (R&D) services for the benefit of …

Eggs
  • Location

    Australia

  • Organisation type

    Research funding body

Logo for Australian Eggs

Focus areas

Industries

Sustainabilities

Technology areas

Related research projects

Search all research projects
Logo for Gut decisions: Eggs, microbiome and cognition
Eggs

Gut decisions: Eggs, microbiome and cognition

Previously it was thought that cognition was regulated only by the central nervous system However, there is increasing evidence demonstrating …
  • Funded by

    Australian Eggs

  • Project date

    1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021

  • Research organisation

    La Trobe University

Have questions?

Find out how we can help you.

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions on research projects, commercial opportunities, organisations and more. 

Still have questions or have feedback on the site? Please get in touch by completing our enquiry form.