Layer management system as a component of sustainable development

Abstract

The effects of hen management systems on production results, flock health and profitability of egg production were studied with regard to the requirements of sustainable agricultural development. Increased feather-picking and cannibalism as well as lower productivity in a flock raised on litter indicate that this hen-friendly litter system, recommended by EU regulations, does not fully comply with the basic principles of sustainable development, i.e. the minimization of resource (feed, water, energy and soil) losses. On the other hand, the litter system complies with another goal of sustainable agricultural development, i.e. environmental conservation, because it decreases the overall number of hens in a given area, thus reducing atmospheric pollution. However, this creates the problem of production profitability and spreading the increasing costs among producers and consumers.