I have been doing some research today and thought I would add the abstracts to some of the journal articles I have been reading. These are only the abstracts not the full text (so no copyright issue here ) Most of the ones I have found aren't specific to budgies but they are still very relevant and definately provide food for thought I will provide a short translation afterwards for those that struggle with 'science speak'

 

 

BACD198886031785

Author/Editor/InventorCUNNINGHAM D L [Reprint author].; VAN TIENHOVEN A [Author].; GVARYAHU G [Author]..

InstitutionDEP POULTRY AVIAN SCIENCES, CORNELL UNIV, ITHACA, NEW YORK 14853, USA.

TitlePOPULATION SIZE CAGE AREA AND DOMINANCE RANK EFFECTS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND WELL-BEING OF LAYING HENS

SourcePoultry Science. 67(3). 1988. 399-406.

AbstractThe effect of two cage population sizes (four vs. six/cage) and two cage area treatments (316 cm2 vs. 406 cm2/bird) were compared in a nonconfounded design while maintaining feeder space constant (8.9 cm/bird) for egg production performances and behavioral and physiological indicators of well-being of laying hens. Egg production rates were determined for all members of each cage group (palpations at 48 to 50 wk) and on a cage group basis (20 to 60 wk). Heart weights, plasma corticosterone levels, durations of tonic immobility (TI), and plumage conditions were compared for top and bottom birds in the dominance ranks. Significant reductions in egg production were observed for low ranking hens in the high density (4 and 6/316-cm2) treatments. In addition, high ranking hens of the 6/316-cm2 treatment produced fewer eggs than high ranking hens in the 4/316-cm2 treatment. When high and low ranking individuals were housed in single-hen cages, egg production was improved relative to performances in the social environments. Heart weights of hens, as a percentage of body weight, were increased in the low ranking hens and for hens in the smaller cage size. Plasma corticosterone did not prove to be a useful indicator of well-being. Low ranking individuals had greater durations of TI but differences in feather condition were not detected. The results support the contention that appropriate population sizes and cage space allocations can be determined that will optimize the performance and welfare of layers in cage environments.

Translation by MB: By ensuring that birds are given an appropriate space for breeding away from the pressures of other birds we can increase egg production and also increase the health of breeding animals, well we all knew that already but it's good to see a scientic study that confirms it, even f it is for chooks

By ensuring that birds are given an appropriate space for breeding away from the pressures of other birds we can increase egg production

 

That's interesting as most breeders try to give an effect of coloney breeding with in the close breeding system.

 

I have my cages facing the flights and have grills between the cages so the birds can see and hear each other.

I have rung over 115 birds since I started breeding this season. (may to january)

I agrre with Darryl, I have my breeding cages facing each other with plenty of noise from the other birds and I have bred 130 since march til now with 14 breeding cages I had a couple of extra cages but weren't really used. More for holding the birds.

BUT the aviary birds can't impinge on the space of the breeding pair, that is what this article is really saying. It is comparing cage laying hens in groups as opposed to hens caged singly, those hens are still within a few inches of each other in their seperate cages but they feel more secure presumably as they have their own 'personal space'

So what it is trying to say is that pairs that are left undistrurb, as in closed breeding, will be more successful than those in coloney breeding... I'd have to agree with that.

 

There are less problems that way.

Edited December 4, 200816 yr by Darryl

The thought of sounding like a parrot I have to agree with Darryl again and you to MB.