Dergiler / Hayvansal Üretim / 2021 / Cilt: 62 - Sayı: 1
Evaluating the sustainability of egg production in Turkey: A standardized data approach
- Dergi
- Hayvansal Üretim
- Sayfa
- 7–14
- DOI
- —
Özet
This study aimed to evaluate egg production systems within the scope of sustainability criteria under Turkey conditions. A standardized data approach was used to measure sustainability and compare egg production systems. The study covered a one-year egg-laying cycle of 24 farms including conventional cage, organic, and free-range systems. Hens in conventional cages had higher egg production and lower feed intake compared to hens in organic and free-range systems. The highest mortality was found in the free-range hens while the lowest was in the conventional cage system. All hens were fully feathered in the organic egg production system, which was followed, by free-range and conventional cage. This result led to a better social sustainability score for non-cage systems. Economic issues of sustainability had higher scores in conventional cage and organic egg production than those in the free-range system. The hen number per m2 in the total farm area was lower in organic and free-range than those in conventional cage systems (P=0.003), nonetheless, the total land occupation area was found similar. The standardized data used in this study shows that management practices should be improved in free-range and organic egg production systems to achieve higher sustainability scores in Turkey.
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate egg production systems within the scope of sustainability criteria under Turkey conditions. A standardized data approach was used to measure sustainability and compare egg production systems. The study covered a one-year egg-laying cycle of 24 farms including conventional cage, organic, and free-range systems. Hens in conventional cages had higher egg production and lower feed intake compared to hens in organic and free-range systems. The highest mortality was found in the free-range hens while the lowest was in the conventional cage system. All hens were fully feathered in the organic egg production system, which was followed, by free-range and conventional cage. This result led to a better social sustainability score for non-cage systems. Economic issues of sustainability had higher scores in conventional cage and organic egg production than those in the free-range system. The hen number per m2 in the total farm area was lower in organic and free-range than those in conventional cage systems (P=0.003), nonetheless, the total land occupation area was found similar. The standardized data used in this study shows that management practices should be improved in free-range and organic egg production systems to achieve higher sustainability scores in Turkey.