Use of the Outdoor Range and Activities of Rhode Island Red Hens Grazing on Natural Vegetation in the Tropics

Authors
F. M. K. Abouelezz
L. Sarmiento-Franco
R. Santos-Ricalde
J. Segura-Correa
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Yucatan (UADY), Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the range utilization of Rhode Island Red hens, grazing outdoor (under tropical conditions) and to scan their activities inside the house as well as during their outdoor visits. The activities of RIR hens, raised in indoor floor pens connected with outdoor areas covered with natural vegetation, were scanned and recorded individually within 15 minute intervals between 08:00 and 17:00 hours (37 scans a day) for a duration of twelve weeks. The results revealed that, 40.5% of the hens were observed to be on the range at each scanning time; where they engaged their outdoor visits in foraging (11.4%), exploring (8.62%), roaming (6.1%), standing (3.5%), primping (5.6%) and resting (5.4%). Besides, the utilization of the closest part of the range to the house was significantly the highest in comparison with the middle and farthest parts (73.0 vs. 24.9 and 2.1%, respectively), and the highest (P< 0.05) average utilization of the range was recorded during the early day hours, versus the midday and late day hours. In total, 24 meters apart from the house forms the most adequate distance for free range RIR hens while longer distances would rarely be visited. The grazing RIR hens (in the tropics) utilized the outdoor area effectively and performed natural behavior.

Keywords

1. Abouelezz, F. M. K., Sarmiento-Franco, L., Santos-Ricalde, R. and Solorio-Sanchez, F. 2013. Egg Production, Egg Quality and Crop Content of Rhode Island Red Hens Grazing on Natural Tropical Vegetation. Trop. Anim. Health. Prod., 45(2): 367-72.
2. Abouelezz, F. M. K., Sarmiento-Franco, L., Santos-Ricalde, R. and Solorio Sanchez, F. 2012. Outdoor Egg Production Using Local Forages in the Tropics. World's Poul. Sci. J., 68(4): 679-692.
3. Bubier, N. E. and Bradshaw, R. H. 1998. Movement of Flocks of Laying Hens in and out of the Hen House in Four Free Range Systems. Brit. Poult. Sci., 39: S6.
4. Caamal, J. A. 2004. Arvenses. En: "Técnicas de Muestreo para Manejadores de Recursos Naturales", (Eds.): Bautista, F., Delfín, H. Y. and Palacio, J. L.. Capítulo 12, UNAM, UADY, CONACYT, INE. México, DF: 343-362.
5. Fanatico, A. 2006. Alternative Poultry Production Systems and Outdoor Access. A Publication of ATTRA–National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, 10 800-346-9140. Online in URL Address: [http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/poultryoverview.html] Consulted, 1st May, 2012.
6. Harlander-Matauschek, A., Felsenstein, K., Niebuhr, K. and Troxler, J. 2006. Effect of Pop Holes Dimensions on the Number of Laying Hens Outside in the Range. Brit. Poult. Sci., 47(2): 131- 134.
7. Hegelund, L., Sorensen, J. T., Kjaer, J. B. and Kristensen, I. S. 2005. Use of the Range Area in Organic Egg Production Systems: Effect of Climatic Factors, Flock Size, Age and Artificial Cover. Brit. Poult. Sci., 46(1): 1-8.
8. Hegelund, L., Sørensen, J. T. and Hermansen, J. E. 2006. Welfare and Productivity of Laying Hens in Commercial Organic Egg Production Systems in Denmark. NJAS. Wageningen J. Life Sci., 54(2): 147-155.
9. Hughes, B. O. and Dun, P. 1984. A Comparison of Hens Housed Intensively in Cages or Outside on Range. Proc. Abstr. XVII. World’s Poultry Congr. Exhib., Finnish Branch of WPSA, Helsinki, PP. 432- 433.
10. Keeling, L. J., Hughes, B. O. and Dun, P. 1988. Performance of Free Range Laying Hens in a Polythene House and Their Behaviour on Range. Farm Building Prog., 94: 21-28.
11. Lay, D. C., Jr., Fulton, R. M., Hester, P. Y., Karcher, D. M., Kjaer, J. B., Mench, J. A., Mullens, B. A., Newberry, R. C., Nicol, C. J., O’Sullivan, N. P. and Porter, R. E. 2011. Hen Welfare in Different Housing Systems. Poult. Sci., 90: 278-294.
12. Mahboub, H. D. H., Müller, J. and Von-Borell, E. 2002. Feather Pecking and Grassland Use in Free Range Laying Hens of Different Genotype. Vortragstagung der DGFZ und GFT 200, Sept 18/19; C 27, Halle, Germany.
13. Mahboub, H. D. H., Müller, J. and Von-Borell, E. 2004. Outdoor Use, Tonic Immobility, Heterophil/Lymphocyte Ratio and Feather Condition Is Free Range Laying Hens of Different Genotype. Brit. Poult. Sci., 45(6): 738-744.
14. Mench, J. A., Sumner, D. A. and Rosen-Molina, J. T. 2011. Sustainability of Egg Production in the United States: The Policy and Market Context. Poult. Sci., 90: 229-240.
15. Mirabito, L. and Lubac, S. 1998. Descriptivedas Study of Outdoor Run Occupation by Red Label Type Chickens. Brit. Poult. Sci., 39: S16.
16. Mirabito, L. and Lubac, S. 2001. Descriptive Study of Outdoor Run Occupation by Red Label Type Chickens. Brit. Poult. Sci., 42(Suppl.): S16-S17.
17. Ponte, P. I. P., Rosado, C. M. C., Crespo, J. P., Crespo, D. G., Mourão, J. L., Chaveiro-oares, M. A., Brás, J. L. A., Mendes, I., Gama, L. T., Prates, J. A. M., Ferreira, L. M. A. and Fontes, C. M. G. A. 2008. Pasture Intake Improves the Performance and Meat Sensory Attributes of Free-Range Broilers. Poult. Sci., 87: 71-79.
18. Reddy, C. V. and Qudratullah, S. 2004. Strategic Feeding Supplementation through Locally Available Resources. XX World Poultry Congress, FAO Corporate Document. Online in URL Address: [http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/ac150e/ac150e01.htm] Consulted: 10th May 2012.
19. SAS. Institute, 2002. SAS User's Guide Statistics Ver. 6.12 Edition. SAS Institute. Inc., C.
20. Rivera-Ferre, M. G., Lantinga, E. A. and Kwakkel, R. P. 2007. Herbage Intake and Use of Outdoor Area by Organic Broilers: Effect of Vegetation Type and Shelter Addition. NJAS, 54(3): 279-291.
21. Steenfeldt, S., Engberg, R. M. and Kjaer, J. B. 2001: Feeding Roughage to Laying Hens Affects Egg Production, Gastrointestinal Parameters and Mortality. Proceedings of 13th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Blankenberg, Belgium, PP. 238-239.
22. Thiele, H. and Pottgüter, R. 2008. Management Recommendations for Laying Hens in Deep Litter, Perchery and Free Range Systems. Lohman Information, 43(1): 53. Online in URL Address: [http://www.lohmann-information.com/content/l_i_43_artikel6.pdf] Consulted: 10 May 2012.
23. Zeltner, E. and Hirt, H. 2003. Effect of Artificial Structuring on the Use of Laying Hen in a Free-range System. Brit. Poult. Sci., 44: 533-537.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 16, Issue 7
November and December 2014
Pages 1555-1563