Early litter access for pullets housed in aviary systems

Early access to good quality litter facilitates fulfilment of the behavioural needs of layer chicks and prevents them from developing injurious pecking. When rearing pullets in an aviary system, the common practice is to lock the chicks into the aviary structure, i.e. the housing system, during the first 3-5 weeks. For the chicks to have access to litter during this period, special initiatives are needed. This factsheet provides examples of such initiatives, including egg trays and cardboard boxes filled with different types of substrates.