Research note: Time of day and age affect hen activity patterns in two designs of cage-free aviaries
Format of work:
Journal Article
Event presented at / Journal Name:
Poultry Science
Speaker / Contact Author's Name:
Xiaowen Ma
Speaker / Contact Author's E-mail Address:
maxiaow1@msu.edu
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Research aim:
The aim of this study was to understand how laying hens use different cage-free aviary systems. We monitored hens' activity at different stages of the laying cycle and at different times throughout the day to determine how age, daily routines, and aviary design interact to shape movement patterns. We also explored wearable accelerometers could provide a practical way to monitor activity in commercial cage-free flocks.
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Key finding:
We found that laying hens' activity patterns were shaped by the combined effects of aviary design, age, and time of day rather than by any single factor. Hens showed the greatest horizontal activity in the evening and the highest vertical activity around peak lay, suggesting that daily routines and different stages of the laying cycle influence how birds use cage-free environments. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of considering both housing design and the natural behavioral rhythms of hens when evaluating welfare and designing cage-free systems.
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Industry or policy relevance:
In recent years, the North American laying hen industry has been transitioning from conventional cages to cage-free housing in response to animal welfare concerns. However, little is known about how different aviary designs influence hens' movement and welfare, as commercial aviary systems vary in the distribution of key resources. Understanding hens' movement patterns is essential for optimizing housing design, as they can provide insights into space use and potential welfare challenges. By evaluating how different aviary layouts influence activity, this study improves our understanding of how housing features affect behaviors and activity within cage-free systems.
Funders:
This work was supported by USDA NIFA AFRI (Grant No. 2022-67015-36310; A. Ali) and Hatch funding (J. Siegford).
Links to Open Access Publications or DOI:
Citation:
Ma, X., Siegford, J. M., Ambike, V., Jacobs, J. A., Swanson, J. C., Widowski, T. M., & Ali, A. B. (2026). Research Note: Time of day and age affect hen activity patterns in two designs of cage-free aviaries. Poultry Science, 106550. 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106550
