Fibre-based feed supplements - fermentation and moisture characteristics, edibility and particle size influence cage-reared laying hens' preference based on feed consumption and time at the feeder

1. Past studies have shown that fibre-based feed supplements, such as silage, are well accepted by laying hens and can reduce feather pecking and cannibalism. What is uncertain is whether fermentation and moisture characteristics, edibility or particle size influence the hen's choice for a fibre-based feed supplement or if there are more preferred materials.2. The study included three experiments on fermentation and moisture characteristics (Experiment 1), edibility (consumable; Experiment 2) and particle size (Experiment 3) on laying hen preference for different supplements.3. Experiments were conducted in conventional cages, where two cages formed one replication (six replicates per treatment) and each feeding area was subdivided into a trough (basal diet) and a supplement insert (supplements). Since the hens had a free choice between the basal diet and the supplements, feed consumption and the percentage of time hens spent at the supplement insert indicated the strength of preference. The basal diet dry matter (DM) consumption was assessed for all experiments and the supplement and total DM consumption was documented for Experiments 1 and 3. In addition, the percentage of the observed time hens spent at the trough or supplement insert was observed for Experiments 2 and 3.4. There was an increase in the supplement DM consumption for non-fermented and moist supplements (P < 0.05) and, in some cases, a smaller particle size (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hens spent more time with edible (P < 0.05) and small-sized (P < 0.05) supplements. It was concluded that a preferred material in addition to the basal diet could increase the time hens spend at the feeder by up to 1 hour per photoperiod.