Effects of indoor stocking density on performance, egg quality, and welfare status of a native chicken during 22 to 38 weeks

This study investigated the effects of indoor stocking density on performance, egg quality, and welfare status of a native chicken, Beijing You Chicken (BYC), during 22 to 38 wk. A total of 1,040 19-wk-old BYC pullets were randomly allocated to 4 groups (2 replicates each) and reared in 8 individual floor pens with separate covered shed and uncovered outdoor areas. The indoor stocking densities were 5, 6, 7, and 8 hens/m2, and the birds were fed...