Noted difference in the digestive system in caged and floor-reared commercial egg-type pullets

• Published in: Poultry science Vol. 64; no. 5; p. 1035
• Main Authors: Deaton, J W, Branton, S L, Lott, B D, Brake, J D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-05-1985
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight; Chickens - anatomy & histology; Female; Floors and Floorcoverings; Gizzard, Avian - anatomy & histology; Housing, Animal; Intestines - anatomy & histology; Organ Size
• ISSN: 0032-5791
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.0641035

Two trials were conducted with Single Comb White Leghorn pullets reared from 0 to 19 weeks of age in cages and on litter at the same environmental temperature. Samples were obtained to determine if digestive system differences existed. Criteria measured were gizzard weight and intestine length. Results showed that floor-reared pullets had heavier gizzards with longer intestines than cage-reared pullets. The difference may be caused by consumption of litter by the floor-reared birds.