Form

White Bird Management Feedback Survey

Participant Information

The Laying Hen Welfare Forum (LHWF) brings together expertise from industry, farm, veterinarians, animal welfare and government to explore how we can improve flock management and reduce injurious pecking amongst laying hens. The operational groups consist of BEIC, BFREPA, NFU, RSPCA, Stephen Lister (Independent Poultry veterinarian), The Lakes Free Range Group, Sunrise Farms, Country Fresh Pullets and the University of Bristol.

Through practical studies, the group is seeking to establish economically positive ways of improving animal welfare for laying hens and pullets.

The LHWF would like to invite you to take part in a survey on your experiences in rearing and managing white bird commercial layers. Before you decide whether to participate, I would like you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it would involve for you.

What is the purpose of the survey

This survey aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of pullet rearers and egg producers in rearing and managing white laying flocks. The insights gathered will highlight the benefits and challenges of managing these flocks and contribute to a broader review of white laying breeds. The study seeks to enhance understanding of their management within the UK to improve bird welfare and management of this growing sector.

What will happen to the results of the survey?

The results will contribute to a larger systematic review of scientific literature. A summary of the survey findings will be shared with participants who indicated interest, after which all email addresses will be deleted. Participants will remain anonymous and will not be identified in any report or publication.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Your participation will contribute to:

Advancing wider industry knowledge
Understanding of the management of white layers
Improvements for your own business and others

This survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. All data will be anonymised; participants will not be identified.

The closing date for survey responses is the 28^th February 2025

Who is organising the survey

Organisation: Laying Hen Welfare Forum

Researcher: Paula Baker

Email: paula.baker@lhwf.co.uk

First name*

Last name*

Business name*

Email*

Are you an egg producer or pullet rearer?*

Do you have an Organic system?*

I have experience with:*

What is the flock size of the white layer / pullet flocks you currently manage?*

If 'other' how many white birds do you have?

How many white flocks do you house currently?*

How long have you been managing white birds?*

What prompted your switch to managing white birds?*

If 'other' please provide details:

Do your white birds have intact beaks or are they beak treated?*

Do you find white birds easier to manage than brown birds?*

Please explain why:*

Do you consider feather cover is better in white birds?*

Have you experienced any other pecking issues (e.g. toe pecking or heads)?*

If yes, please provide further details

From your observations, are white birds more flighty than brown birds?*

Do white birds range better than brown birds?*

Do white breeds use more enrichments than brown birds?*

What enrichment material works best for white layers? (tick all that apply)*

Please specify 'other' enrichments here:

Do you observe more smothering and piling in white birds compared to brown birds?*

Do white breeds have a better feed conversion rate than brown laying hens?*

Have you experienced specific health problems with white layers compared to brown layers?*

Please explain your answer:

Have you witnessed disease issues or problems with red mites and internal parasites?*

Please provide details:

Is the mortality rate of white birds higher, lower, or the same as that of brown laying hens?*

Do you prefer to manage/rear white or brown birds*

In terms of managing birds with intact beaks, would you be more comfortable in managing white birds with intact beaks, or brown, or neither?*

Please explain:

Do you have any other comments which you would like to submit as part of this survey?