The Value of a Grass Sward for Breeding Hens
1957; Elsevier BV; Volume: 36; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.3382/ps.0360780
ISSN1525-3171
AutoresD. J. G. Black, T. R. Morris, J. A. Palgrave,
Tópico(s)Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
ResumoINTRODUCTION IT IS a general practice in Great Britain to keep breeding stock out of doors under semi-intensive conditions. The birds are usually accommodated in a wooden house, fitted with roosts and trapnests, and have access to a grass run surrounded by a fence of wire netting. Among the advantages claimed for this system are the supposed benefits which the bird derives from fresh air, sunshine, freedom of exercise and the availability of a fresh green sward. This paper describes an experiment designed to assess the value of a grass sward, as one element of the outdoor complex, to the breeding bird. The experiment was in no sense intended to estimate the value of the “outdoor life” as contrasted with intensive systems of poultry keeping. Birds on all treatments had an equal share of fresh air, sunshine, bad weather and exercise. Hens denied access to grass were still allowed access . . .
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