Welfare regulations and their effects on breeding and genetics in laying hens

There are two main issues that will challenge breeders as a result of increasingly demanding and restrictive welfare standards. First is the response of existing varieties to the new environments to which they will be exposed as a result of the changing welfare rules. Secondly is how breeders will respond, in terms of altered selection criteria, to current and anticipated changes to cage and other environments.

This article can also be found at World Poultry Volume 18 number 6. To view the article online simply click on the link below.

Keywords: welfare, layers, laying hens, broiler breeders, cages, genetics