Behaviour and performance of layers under different housing systems

This study carried out on laying hens (Bovans strain) atthe Research Farm, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ZagazigUniversity in the period between the first of November (2009)till end of October (2010).This work included three experiments to detect the effectof housing system, stocking density and light duration on thebehaviour and performance of laying hensI-First experiment:-Behavioural, productive and physiological responsesof laying hens in relation to housing systems.In this experiment 100 laying hens 19 weeks aged undertwo housing systems (battery system and floor housing system).The obtained results of this experiment could besummarized the followings:1- There was no significantly difference (p < 0.05)in the feedingbehaviour (time and frequency) of laying hens housed inbattery or floor systems, while drinking frequencysignificantl y higher in battery system (15.7 ± 1.1 bout) thanfloor system (10.5±0.9 bout).2- The standing time and sitting frequency were significantlyhigher in battery housed hens than those housed in the floor