Baxter M R
Design Research Centre, Brunel University, Egham, Surrey.
Vet Rec. 1994 Jun 11;134(24):614-9. doi: 10.1136/vr.134.24.614.
So far as feeding, health and protection from cannibalism are concerned, the welfare needs of laying hens can be well catered for in cages. In other respects, however, cages fail to provide for hens' welfare needs. Deprived of litter, caged hens are prevented from dust bathing and foraging. Without access to a nest site, nesting motivation is frustrated and without a perch, roosting is prevented. Restrictions on movement within a cage cause frustration and prevent normal bone maintenance, particularly in the legs and wings. Confinement in a battery cage is concluded to cause suffering to laying hens in several different ways.
就饲养、健康和防止同类相食而言，产蛋母鸡的福利需求在笼子里能够得到很好的满足。然而，在其他方面，笼子无法满足母鸡的福利需求。笼养母鸡被剥夺了垫料，无法进行沙浴和觅食。由于没有进入巢穴的通道，筑巢的动机受挫，而且没有栖木，母鸡无法栖息。笼子内活动的限制会导致母鸡沮丧，并妨碍骨骼的正常发育，尤其是腿部和翅膀。得出的结论是，密集笼养以几种不同的方式给产蛋母鸡带来痛苦。
