Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens

Afsana A. Jahan; Hiep Thi Dao; Md Sohel Rana; Peta S. Taylor; Tamsyn M. Crowley; Amy F. Moss

doi:10.1071/AN24258

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Contents Vol 65(7)

Effects of AM/PM feeding on behaviour, range use and welfare indicators of free-range laying hens

Afsana A. Jahan ^A , Hiep Thi Dao

^A ^B , Md Sohel Rana ^A ^C ^D , Peta S. Taylor ^E ^F , Tamsyn M. Crowley ^G ^H and Amy F. Moss

^A ^*

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Environmental and Rural Science, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^B Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy Town, Gia Lam District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.

^C Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.

^D Livestock Research Institute, Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.

^E School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia.

^F Animal Welfare Science Centre, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3010, Australia.

^G University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

^H IMPACT, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: amoss22@une.edu.au

Handling Editor: Wendy Muir

Animal Production Science 65, AN24258 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN24258

Submitted: 8 August 2024 Accepted: 29 March 2025 Published: 22 April 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

AM/PM feeding (also known as ‘split-feeding’) is designed to meet a hens’ nutrient requirement via two diets, namely, high protein and energy in the morning/early afternoon (AM) and high calcium during the mid-afternoon/evening (PM), compared with a single conventional diet over 24 h.

Aims

The study aimed to investigate the effects of AM/PM feeding on free-range laying hens, focusing on welfare, behaviour and health. It was hypothesised that AM/PM feeding, aligned with the hen’s diurnal physiology, would improve behaviour, welfare, and health compared with a conventional diet.

Methods

The study was conducted at a free-range research facility by using two dietary treatments, namely, conventional layer hen diet (Control) and the AM/PM diet. Diets were fed to nine replicate pens of 20 hens each, giving a total of 360 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (18 pens) when they were between 34 and 53 weeks of age (WOA). The AM diet (2980 kcal/kg apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), 20.1% crude protein (CP), 2.5% calcium (Ca) was provided from 08:00 hours to 16:00 hours, and the PM diet (2580 kcal/kg AMEn, 17.5% CP, 5.6% Ca) from 16:00 hours to 08:00 hours. In contrast, the conventional diet (2780 kcal/kg AMEn, 18.8% CP, 4.1% Ca) was provided continuously. Hen behaviour was recorded using overhead cameras between 49 and 50 WOA and assessed via behavioural ethogram. Individual hen ranging behaviour was monitored using radio-frequency identification (RFID) from 39 to 48 WOA. Hen fearfulness was evaluated through tonic immobility and novel object test during 51–52 WOA. At 53 WOA, hens were assessed for health, tibia bone quality, and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites.

Key results

AM/PM feeding reduced feather pecking (P = 0.01) and increased outdoor range use (2.85 vs 2.47 h/day; P < 0.001). It also showed an effect approaching statistical significance for faster exploration of novel objects (P = 0.08). AM/PM feeding improved tibia ash content (P = 0.03) and breaking strength (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

AM/PM feeding demonstrated potential benefits for laying hen welfare, including reduced feather pecking, increased outdoor activity, and improved bone health, compared with the conventional diet.

Implications

AM/PM feeding may enhance the health and welfare of free-range laying hens, although further long-term studies are needed to confirm its potential.

Keywords: calcium, energy, hen behaviour, hen welfare, nutrition, poultry, precision feeding, protein, ranging behaviour, split-feeding.

References

Abd El-Razek MM, Makled MN, Galal AE, El-kelawy M (2020) Effect of split feeding system on egg production and egg quality of dandarawi layers. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal 40, 359-371.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Akinyemi F, Adewole D (2021) Environmental stress in chickens and the potential effectiveness of dietary vitamin supplementation. Frontiers in Animal Science 2, 775311.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Akter N, Dao TH, Crowley TM, Moss AF (2025) Optimization of split feeding strategy for laying hens through a response surface model. Animals 15(5), 750.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bari MS, Laurenson YCSM, Cohen-Barnhouse AM, Walkden-Brown SW, Campbell DLM (2020) Effects of outdoor ranging on external and internal health parameters for hens from different rearing enrichments. PeerJ 8, e8720.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Barrett LA, Blache D (2019) Development of a behavioural demand method for use with Pekin ducks. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 214, 42-49.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bonnefous C, Collin A, Guilloteau LA, Guesdon V, Filliat C, Réhault-Godbert S, Rodenburg TB, Tuyttens FAM, Warin L, Steenfeldt S, Baldinger L, Re M, Ponzio R, Zuliani A, Venezia P, Väre M, Parrott P, Walley K, Niemi JK, Leterrier C (2022) Welfare issues and potential solutions for laying hens in free range and organic production systems: a review based on literature and interviews. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 1148.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Box GEP, Behnken DW (1960) Some new three level designs for the study of quantitative variables. Technometrics 2, 455-475.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bryden WL, Li X, Ruhnke I, Zhang D, Shini S (2021) Nutrition, feeding and laying hen welfare. Animal Production Science 61, 893-914.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Choi JH, Namkung H, Paik IK (2004) Feed consumption pattern of laying hens in relation to time of oviposition. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 17, 371-373.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

De los Mozos J, Gutierrez del Alamo A, Gerwe Tv, Sacranie A, Perez de Ayala P (2012) Oviposition feeding compared to normal feeding: effect on performance and egg shell quality. In ‘Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium’, 19–22 February 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia. pp. 180–183. (Poultry Research Foundation)

De los Mozos J, Sacranie A, Van Gerwe T (2014) Performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed two diets through the day with different levels of calcium or phos-phorous. In ‘Proceedings of the 25th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium’, 16–19 February 2014, Sydney, NSW, Australia. pp. 148–151. (Poultry Research Foundation)

Dixon LM, Dunn IC, Brocklehurst S, Baker L, Boswell T, Caughey SD, Reid A, Sandilands V, Wilson PW, D’Eath RB (2022) The effects of feed restriction, time of day, and time since feeding on behavioral and physiological indicators of hunger in broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 101, 101838.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

El-Lethey H, Aerni V, Jungi TW, Wechsler B (2000) Stress and feather pecking in laying hens in relation to housing conditions. British Poultry Science 41, 22-28.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Forkman B, Boissy A, Meunier-Salaün M-C, Canali E, Jones RB (2007) A critical review of fear tests used on cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry and horses. Physiology & Behavior 92, 340-374.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Gilmet TERM (2015) Behavioural implications of precision feeding broiler breeders. Master of Science, Thesis, University of Alberta, Canada.

Heerkens JLT, Delezie E, Rodenburg TB, Kempen I, Zoons J, Ampe B, Tuyttens FAM (2016) Risk factors associated with keel bone and foot pad disorders in laying hens housed in aviary systems. Poultry Science 95, 482-488.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Hemsworth PH, Coleman G (2010) Managing poultry: human–bird interactions and their implications. In ‘The welfare of domestic fowl and other captive birds’. (Eds I Duncan, P Hawkins) pp. 219–235. (Springer) 10.1007/978-90-481-3650-6_9

Hiramoto K, Muramatsu T, Okumura J (1990) Protein synthesis in tissues and in the whole body of laying hens during egg formation. Poultry Science 69, 264-269.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Hüttner J, Clauß A, Klambeck L, Andersson R, Kemper N, Spindler B (2023) Association with different housing and welfare parameters on results of a novel object test in laying hen flocks on farm. Animals 13, 2207.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jahan AA, Dao TH, Akter N, Swick RA, Morgan NK, Crowley TM, Moss AF (2023) The order of limiting amino acids in a wheat–sorghum-based reduced-protein diet for laying hens. Applied Sciences 13, 12934.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jahan AA, Dao TH, Morgan NK, Crowley TM, Moss AF (2024) Effects of AM/PM diets on laying performance, egg quality, and nutrient utilisation in free-range laying hens. Applied Sciences 14, 2163.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jones RB (1986) The tonic immobility reaction of the domestic fowl: a review. World’s Poultry Science Journal 42, 82-96.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Kolakshyapati M, Taylor PS, Hamlin A, Sibanda TZ, Vilela JdS, Ruhnke I (2020) Frequent visits to an outdoor range and lower areas of an aviary system is related to curiosity in commercial free-range laying hens. Animals 10, 1706.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lee K, Ohh Y (2002) Effects of nutrient levels and feeding regimen of am and pm diets on laying hen performances and feed cost. Korean Journal of Poultry Science 29, 195-204.
| Google Scholar |

Leeson S, Summers JD (2009) ‘Commercial poultry nutrition.’ (Nottingham University Press: Nottingham, UK)

MacLeod M (2013) Nutrition-related opportunities and challenges of alternative poultry production systems. Lohmann Information 48, 23-28.
| Google Scholar |

Mens AJW, Van Krimpen MM, Kwakkel RP (2020) Nutritional approaches to reduce or prevent feather pecking in laying hens: any potential to intervene during rearing? World’s Poultry Science Journal 76, 591-610.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Miao ZH, Glatz PC, Ru YJ (2005) Free-range poultry production – a review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 18, 113-132.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Molnár A, Hamelin C, Delezie E, Nys Y (2018a) Sequential and choice feeding in laying hens: adapting nutrient supply to requirements during the egg formation cycle. World’s Poultry Science Journal 74, 199-210.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Molnár A, Kempen I, Sleeckx N, Zoons J, Maertens L, Ampe B, Buyse J, Delezie E (2018b) Effects of split feeding on performance, egg quality, and bone strength in brown laying hens in aviary system. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 27, 401-415.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Moss AF, Dao TH, Crowley TM, Wilkinson SJ (2023) Interactions of diet and circadian rhythm to achieve precision nutrition of poultry. Animal Production Science 63, 1926-1932.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Nasr MAF, Murrell J, Nicol CJ (2013) The effect of keel fractures on egg production, feed and water consumption in individual laying hens. British Poultry Science 54, 165-170.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

NHMRC (2013) ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.’ 8th edn. (The National Health and Medical Research Council: Canberra, ACT, Australia)

Okitoi LO, Kabuage LW, Muinga RW, Badamana MS (2007) The potential of morning and afternoon supplementation of scavenging chickens on diets with varying energy and protein levels. Livestock Research for Rural Development 19, 2-3.
| Google Scholar |

Okitoi LO, Kabuage LW, Muinga RW, Badamana MS (2009) The performance response of scavenging chickens to nutrient intake from scavengeable resources and from supplementation with energy and protein. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization 21, 10.
| Google Scholar |

Olsson IAS, Duncan IJH, Keeling LJ, Widowski TM (2002) How important is social facilitation for dustbathing in laying hens? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 79, 285-297.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Papageorgiou M, Goliomytis M, Tzamaloukas O, Miltiadou D, Simitzis P (2023) Positive welfare indicators and their association with sustainable management systems in poultry. Sustainability 15, 10890.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Penz AM, Jr, Jensen LS (1991) Influence of protein concentration, amino acid supplementation, and daily time of access to high- or low-protein diets on egg weight and components in laying hens. Poultry Science 70, 2460-2466.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Pottgüter R (2016) Feeding laying hens to 100 weeks of age. Lohmann Information 50, 18-21.
| Google Scholar |

Primary Industries Standing Committee (2002) ‘Model code of practice for the welfare of animals: domestic poultry.’ 4th edn. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, VIC, Australia).

Rana MS, Lee C, Walkden-Brown SW, Campbell DLM (2024) Effects of ultraviolet light supplementation on hen behaviour and welfare during early lay. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 273, 106235.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Richards GJ, Wilkins LJ, Knowles TG, Booth F, Toscano MJ, Nicol CJ, Brown SN (2012) Pop hole use by hens with different keel fracture status monitored throughout the laying period. Veterinary Record 170, 494.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Rodenburg TB, de Haas EN, Nielsen BL, Buitenhuis AJ(Bart) (2010) Fearfulness and feather damage in laying hens divergently selected for high and low feather pecking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 128, 91-96.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sandilands V (2001) Preening behaviour in laying hens: its control and association with other behaviors. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow, UK.

Savory CJ (1980) Diurnal feeding patterns in domestic fowls: a review. Applied Animal Ethology 6, 71-82.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Schwarzer A, Rauch E, Bergmann S, Kirchner A, Lenz A, Hammes A, Erhard M, Reese S, Louton H (2022) Risk factors for the occurrence of feather pecking in non-beak-trimmed pullets and laying hens on commercial farms. Applied Sciences 12, 9699.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Seedor JG, Quartuccio HA, Thompson DD (1991) The bisphosphonate alendronate (MK-217) inhibits bone loss due to ovariectomy in rats. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 6, 339-346.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Shand CA, Wendler R (2014) Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis of mineral and organic soils and the influence of organic matter. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 143, 31-42.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Shcherbatov V, Smirnova L, Osepchuk D, Petrenko Y (2021) Influence of circadian rhythms on motor activity of chickens. In ‘Fundamental and applied scientific research in the development of agriculture in the far east (AFE-2021). AFE 2021. Vol. 354. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems’. (Eds A Muratov, S Ignateva) pp. 340–349. (Springer: Cham) 10.1007/978-3-030-91405-9_37

Sirovnik J, Würbel H, Toscano MJ (2018) Feeder space affects access to the feeder, aggression, and feed conversion in laying hens in an aviary system. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 198, 75-82.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Taylor PS, Campbell DLM, Jurecky E, Devine N, Lee C, Hemsworth PH (2023) Novelty during rearing increased inquisitive exploration but was not related to early ranging behavior of laying hens. Frontiers in Animal Science 4, 1128792.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Umar Faruk M, Bouvarel I, Même N, Rideau N, Roffidal L, Tukur HM, Bastianelli D, Nys Y, Lescoat P (2010) Sequential feeding using whole wheat and a separate protein–mineral concentrate improved feed efficiency in laying hens. Poultry Science 89, 785-796.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

van Emous RA (2023) Effects of feeding strategies during lay on broiler breeder production performance, eggshell quality, incubation traits, and behavior. Poultry Science 102, 102630.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

van Emous RA, Mens AJW (2021) Effects of twice a day feeding and split feeding during lay on broiler breeder production performance, eggshell quality, incubation traits, and behavior. Poultry Science 100, 101419.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Van Krimpen MM, Kwakkel RP, Reuvekamp BFJ, Van Der Peet-Schwering CMC, Den Hartog LA, Verstegen MWA (2005) Impact of feeding management on feather pecking in laying hens. World’s Poultry Science Journal 61, 663-686.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Vestergaard K (1982) Dust-bathing in the domestic fowl – diurnal rhythm and dust deprivation. Applied Animal Ethology 8, 487-495.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wei H, Bi Y, Xin H, Pan L, Liu R, Li X, Li J, Zhang R, Bao J (2020) Keel fracture changed the behavior and reduced the welfare, production performance, and egg quality in laying hens housed individually in furnished cages. Poultry Science 99, 3334-3342.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Welfare Quality (2019) Welfare quality assessment protocol for laying hens. Version 2.0. Welfare Quality.

Young AM, Hallford DM (2013) Validation of a Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assay to assess stress in the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). Zoo Biology 32, 112-116.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |