Cage size and flooring preferences in litter‐reared and cage‐reared hens

Pullets (Ross Rangers) reared commercially either in cages or on deep litter were tested for their responses to small (0.38 X 0.43 m) and large (0.76 X 0.86 m) cages with wire floors and to small and large cages with litter floors. When tested at 29 weeks of age, the birds' responses were significantly affected both by cage size (large preferred to small) and by flooring (litter preferred to wire). No difference in cage preference was apparent between cage-reared and litter-reared birds either when they were first tested at 17 weeks or when they were re-tested at 29 weeks. Birds do not have to be reared on litter in order to be attracted by it.