TABLE 4.
Effect of rearing systems on bone mechanical properties of aged laying hens (95 weeks of age)a.
| Items | CCS | AVS | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humerus | |||
| strength (N) | 130.15 ± 6.09b | 182.44 ± 9.50a | 0.001 |
| stiffness (N/mm) | 67.67 ± 4.58b | 92.01 ± 6.45a | 0.012 |
| work to fracture (mJ) | 139.20 ± 11.47b | 217.19 ± 14.88a | 0.002 |
| Femur | |||
| strength (N) | 270.43 ± 20.18 | 263.27 ± 16.06 | 0.787 |
| stiffness (N/mm) | 188.33 ± 23.99 | 152.59 ± 6.96 | 0.183 |
| work to fracture (mJ) | 241.41 ± 22.76 | 287.82 ± 25.15 | 0.201 |
a
Data represent means with standard error (n = 6). CCS, conventional caging system; AVS, aviary system.
a,bValues within a row with no common superscripts mean significant difference (p < 0.05).