Influence of Nesting Litter Material on Nesting Preference of Native Brown and White Layer Strain Reared in Deep Litter and Free Range Systems

Abstract

In this study; influence of nesting litter material type on nest preference of native brown layer strain and white layer strain in deep litter and free range systems was investigated. Wheat straw, rough plane wood shaving and granulated pumice stone was randomly placed to 2 sections in nest box. The effect of production system and genotype on nest preference was not significant (P>0.05). Influence of nesting litter material type on nest preference of layer strain was significant (P<0.01). Interactions between nesting litter material type and production system (P<0.01), nesting litter material type and genotype (P<0.01) and nesting litter material type, production system and genotype (P<0.01) were significant. In conclusion; layer strains was preferred nesting litter material type in this order; wheat straw (59.39%), rough plane wood shaving (28.48%), floor (9.41%) and granulated pumice stone (2.27%).