Clemson University

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. Producers Within the U.s. Laying Hen Industry Are Transitioning to Cage-free Housing Systems to Meet Customer Demands for Eggs From Welfare-friendly Production Systems and Respond to Legislative Requirements. Cage-free Systems Typically House Large Groups of Hens Together, Offering More Space Per Bird and Provide Resources Intended to Meet Hen Behavioral Needs. Undesirable Consequences of Cage-free Systems Include Floor Eggs, Piling of Birds, Physical Injuries, Feather Pecking, and Cannibalism. Floor Laying Results in Lower Quality Eggs, More Labor for Collection, and More Eggs Lost Due to Damage.practices Such as Stockpersons Walking Through Litter Areas or Restricting HENS' Access to Litter in Varying Ways Are Promoted to Encourage Hens to Lay Eggs in Nests and Discourage Piling. However, There Is Little Scientific Evidence for Whether Such Practices Work or Produce Negative Side Effects. We Will Compare Restricting HENS' Access to Litter in the Morning to Using Human or Robotic Movement in Litter Areas in Two Commercial-style Aviary Designs to Evaluate Effectiveness of These Practices in Preventing Floor Laying. We Will Also Examine How These Various Litter Management Strategies Affect Physical, Behavioral, and Affective Aspects of Hen Welfare.our Overall Goal Is to Support the Sustainability of the U.s. Laying Hen Industry by Scientifically Studying Management Practices for Limiting Floor Laid Eggs While Promoting Good Hen Welfare in Non-cage Systems.