Vergelijking van gedrag en welzijn van leghennen in de Code 2+, verrijkte kooi en volière

Samenvatting

The Code 2+ is a housing system for laying hens that has been developed on the basis of the requirements for barn housing. To determine the performance of this system regarding animal welfare and behaviour it has been compared with a furnished cage and an aviary system. WLR has used the Welfare Quality protocol to examine the exterior of the hens and various other welfare aspects. Also extensive behavioural assessments have been carried out. The behavioural assessments in the Code 2+ resembled those of the aviary system, whereas the behaviour of the hens in furnished cages differed in negative direction. The exterior of the hens in the Code 2+ resembled that in the aviaries and cages. In conclusion birds in the Code 2+ had a similar level of welfare and behaviour as in the aviary system.