• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2017

The purpose of this survey was to collect basic data on breeding systems of animal welfare-approved laying hen farms in Korea. Questionnaires were mailed to 64 animal welfare-approved farms, and 20 questionnaires (31.3%) were returned. The housing systems were fabric coverlet (4 farms, representing 20%), naturally farmed (Yamagisi, 7 farms, 35%), and steel panel-framed housing (9 farms, 45%). The 20 farms had stocking densities of $2{\sim}3birds/m^2$ (2 farms; 10%), $4{\sim}5birds/m^2$ (10 farms; 50%), and $6{\sim}7birds/m^2$ (8 farms; 40%). Breeding methods were floor-housed (14 farms; 70%), free-range (3 farms; 15%), and floor plus free-range (3 farms; 15%). Stocking density was $4{\sim}6birds/m^2$ at most of the farms with fabric coverlet and naturally farmed housing and $6{\sim}7birds/m^2$ at seven farms (of 9 farms) with a steel panel-framed housing. The daily feed intake of 11 farms (55%) was between 120 and 130 g, which included 3 farms (15%) with fabric coverlet, 3 farms (15%) with naturally farmed housing, and 5 farms (25%) with steel panel-framed housing. The age of peak production was 24~28 weeks overall 20 farms. Over 80% of production on fabric coverlet, naturally farmed, and steel panel-framed house farms was on 3, 4 and 6 farms, respectively. Respiratory disease on the 20 farms represented 55% of total disease incidence, and of each housing type represented 75% (fabric coverlet), 70% (naturally farmed) and 33% (steel panel-framed). E. coli disease was only found in the steel panel-framed housing. Most of the animal welfare-approved eggs were sold at large markets or a real sale markets. Egg price was 200~250 won per egg. These results indicate the current situation of animal welfare-approved farms and could be caused that windowless poultry house was applied to animal welfare approved farms.