Promotion of animal health and welfare of organic laying hens in Europe ("HealthyHens") (HealthyHens)
Project Leader: Dipl.Biol. M.Sc.Epid Brenninkmeyer, Christine; Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute
Project description:
The aim of the European research project
HealthyHens was to identify management strategies
for organic laying hen husbandry that contribute to animal health and welfare. To this end,
extensive data was collected on a total of 114 farms in Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. The endoparasite Ascaridia galli was found on almost all farms in
all countries, in an average of 68% of hens.
Heterakis worms were slightly less common at 32 %. Only one significant
influencing factor on worm infestation could be identified: the longer the
daily access time to the green run, the lower the infestation with ascaridia.
Pecking damage to the plumage and integument was found in an average of 40% and 21% of the chickens respectively. Here too,
farms with better access times to the outdoor run, namely daily access
regardless of weather and other circumstances, were less affected. In addition,
there was less plumage damage with increasing protein content in the feed and
fewer pecking injuries when scratching material
was scattered or replaced during the laying cycle. The proportion of chickens in the green run was
higher the smaller the flock and the larger the run area per chicken. In addition,
hedges and artificial protection had a positive effect on the proportion
of chickens in the run and the distribution of chickens in the run. Based on the
results, recommendations for organic laying hen farmers could be updated in important points
. An information sheet for practitioners was produced.
Publications: