The Effect of Different Cage Densities on Laying Performance and Egg Quality in Brown and White Laying Hens

In this study, the performance characteristics and egg quality of brown (Hy-Line Brown (HB)) and white (Isa Tinted (IT)) laying hens housed in three different cage densities were investigated. Low (5 hens/cage LCD), medium (7 hens/cage MCD) and high (10 hens/cage HCD) cage densities were used in the research. A total of 396 laying hens were used in the experiment by placing 198 HB and 198 IT layers in cages. The performance characteristics, egg production (EP), feed consumption (FC) and livability (L) were recorded at the same time every day. Egg weight (EW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly, while body weight (BW) was evaluated monthly. Monthly analyzes were performed to determine egg internal and external quality characteristics. According to the results of the research, as the cage density increased, the EP, EW, FC, FCR, BW and L of both hybrids decreased. However, the ratio of broken-cracked eggs was less in HCD. It has been determined that the performance characteristics of HB laying hens are better than ITs. The effect of cage density on egg internal and external quality parameters was insignificant (except for shape index). The shape index was found to be similar at MCD and HCD, both showing higher values than LCD. The effect of hybrid (HB, IT) on egg external quality parameters was found to be significant only on EW (HB: 63.60 g; IT: 62.50 g); while among the internal quality parameters, only the effect on egg yolk was found to be significant (IT>HB).