The effects of noise and vibration generated by mechanized equipment in laying hen houses on productivity

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of noise (N) and vibration (V) generated by mechanized equipment in laying hen houses on productivity of laying hens. N/V were measured at designated location in cages and facilities, and analyzed, with and without operation of feed supplier system, belt conveyor of layer feces, automatic egg collecting system, and feed distribution system at 13 mechanically-ventilated layer farms. Based on the characteristics of the N/V, levels of N/V were established for layer rearing experiments, and productivity was analyzed. Maximum and mean levels for noise were 90 and 69 dB, and they were 2.856 and 0.956 cm s-1 for vibration, respectively. Results showed that most noise and vibration were produced by feed supplier and feed distribution systems. Noise seemed not to affect productivity of laying hen, while vibration at levels greater than 1.0 cm s-1 did.