This study was conducted to investigate the influence of two different production systems on the welfare of a new Turkish egg-laying hybrid known as Akbay. A total of 180 Akbay hens at the 80th week of production either reared in a free-range system or conventional cages were used. Live body weight at the 80th week of production was recorded, as well as the weight of immune organs and liver. Plumage damage, foot lesions, stress, and fear were examined. It was observed that the live body weight at the 80th week of production was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the free-range birds as compared to those housed in cages. The rectal temperature was statistically higher (p<0.05) in hens reared in the free-range systems than in those housed in the conventional cages. The percentage of hens with mild to severe foot lesions was higher in the free-range system than in the conventional cages. Plumage damages were more common and severe among hens in cages than among free-range hens. No significant differences were recorded for tonic immobility (TI), the duration of the first head movement, and the number of inductions during TI. The fluctuating asymmetry of the leg and the weight of immune organs and liver were also not significantly different between the housing systems. The housing of laying hens in free range systems improved live body weight with a reduction in stress and feather damage. However, it is suggested that further research should aim at improving the foot lesion issues associated with this housing system.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of housing systems (free-range and conventional cage) during the egg-laying phase on the growth, egg production, overall egg weight, and egg quality traits of a new Turkish laying hen hybrid, Akbay. A total of 600 (300 hens per housing system) Akbay laying hen hybrids were used in this study. At the end of the rearing cycle (17 weeks) the average live weight and cumulative feed intake for both groups were 1150.8g and 5067.52g, respectively. The live weight and cumulative feed intake at the onset of laying for both groups were 1198.42g and 5537.77g, respectively. Egg production, average daily feed intake, and average daily feed conversion ratio were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in free-range hens than in hens housed in cages. The live weight at peak production was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in hens housed in cages than in free-range hens. Significant differences (p≤0.05) in terms of internal and external egg quality traits were observed between the housing systems in this study. Generally, the free-range hens had better performance than the hens in cages. It was therefore concluded that the growth performance, egg production, overall egg weight, and egg quality traits of the new Turkish laying hen hybrid Akbay are better in the free-range production system than in convention cages; and that these hens can be housed in the free-range system without any negative effect on performance and egg quality traits.

This study was carried out to assess the production and consumption rate of eggs in Teshie municipality, a part of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A total of 118 questionnaires were administered to inhabitants of Teshie Municipality to assess the rate of egg consumption and production pattern among consumers, sellers, and producers. Seventy-eight of the respondents were egg consumers, 36 were egg sellers and 4 were egg producers (poultry farmers). Most of the egg consumers (71.9%), producers (50%), and sellers (63%) were Christians. The majority of the egg producers (75%) and consumers (59%) were men however, most (94%) of the sellers were women. All the respondents had some form of formal or informal level of education. All the egg producers and most (61,1%) of the egg sellers were between the ages of 36-60yrs however, egg consumption was highest among the age range of 19-35yrs. The egg consumption rate was very low (4 times/ week) in the study area. All the egg producers reared their chickens in the floor or litter production system and with the majority (75%) indicating the rainy season as a period of high mortality rate among chickens.

This work was conducted to evaluate the egg quality characteristic of Sussex multi-purpose chickens reared under the housing conditions of the Cukurova University Farm. A total of 81 Sussex chickens from the Poultry and Research Unit of Cukurova University were used in this study. The external and internal egg-quality paraemeters were determined using 30 eggs on both the 28th and 33rd weeks of egg production cycle. The egg quality parameters measured were the Haugh unit, breaking strength, yolk color, shell thickness, egg weight, shape index, shell weight, albumen index, yolk index, and albumen pH. The egg weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haught unit were 57.89±3.99g, 9.44±2.07, 43.22±3.57 and 84.85±8.87 respectively. The shape index, shell thickness, shell weight, shell breaking strength and albumen pH were %75.32±2.11, 0.338±27.84mm, 5.903±0.645g, 3.825±1.065 kg/cm² and 7.84±0.18 respectively. The yolk color, L, a, b and E values were 55.85±7.02, 13.91±3.33, 47.18±7.90 and 74.99±5.96 respectively. It was concluded that the external and internal egg-quality parameters of Sussex chickens reared under the housing conditions of the Cukurova University Farm were between the normal range.

A total of 17 eggs of French Pekin ducks reared indoors under standard environmental conditions (20-220C and 55-60% RH) on a private duck breeding farm were used in the current study. The eggs were assessed for their internal and external egg quality traits using the destructive method. The average egg weight, egg width and egg height were 90.25±1.51g, 48.26±0.29 mm, and 69.10±0.68 mm respectively. The egg breaking strength or resistance, shape index, eggshell thickness and shell weight were 2.99±0.39 kg/cm2, 69.93±0.72%, 414.76±5. 99 mm and 8.28±0.15 g respectively. The shell percentage and elongation values were 9.19±0.15% and 1.43±0.01 respectively. The average yolk height, yolk width and yolk weight were 21.35±0.23 mm, 50.79±0.53 mm and 35.02±0.98 g respectively. The L (brightness), a (redness) and b (yellowness) yolk color traits were 55.67±0.46, 13.06±0.37 and 55.60±0.88 respectively. The yolk index and yolk percentage were 42.07±0.49% and 38.85±0.96% respectively. The albumen height, albumen width and albumen length were 8.16±0.23 mm, 67.91±1.21 mm and 106.26±1.63 mm respectively. The albumen pH, albumen weight and albumen index were 9.30±0.11, 42.01±0.88g and 9.39±0.30% respectively. The albumen percentage and yolk to albumen ratio were 46.67±1.02% and 84.03±3.14% respectively. The Haugh unit was 82.43±1.51%. It was concluded the internal and external egg quality traits of the French Pekin ducks observed in this study were within the normal range.