The influence of polypeepers and feather cover on starvation heat production in the laying hen

Abstract

Starvation heat production (SHP) of three groups, each of four crossbred hens previously held in multiple bird cages, was measured in respiration chambers at 8, 20 and 32°C, following a period of acclimation of 6 days. Group 1 hens, with polypeepers, had an average feather cover after 15 months of lay. The two other groups, without polypeepers, had either a slightly above-average (group 2) or average (group 3) feather cover after 15 months of lay.

Polypeepers per se had no influence on SHP at any of the temperatures studied. The poorly feathered hens in group 3 had, on average, a 17% higher SHP at 8 and 20°C than those in group 2. Polypeepers would therefore indirectly reduce food requirement in this temperature range.