Effectiveness of the optimized open poultry house YAPI-20.25® on the performance of Novogen Brown laying hens subjected to high densification

Faced with increasing land pressure, optimizing livestock buildings appears as a strategy to increase stocking density without compromising performance or welfare. This study evaluated the impact of the optimized open poultry house YAPI-20.25® on the zootechnical performance of Novogen Brown laying hens reared at a density of 7.73 hens/m². A total of 1,700 pullets were monitored from 21 to 36 weeks of age and compared to standard genetic references. Measured parameters included feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and viability. Daily feed intake remained below the standard, without negatively affecting productivity. At 24 weeks, the laying rate reached 92.90%, very close to the reference, despite a slight delay in the onset of lay. From week 26 onward, the average egg weight exceeded the standard by more than 0.5 g. The feed conversion ratio remained efficient, reaching 1.67 compared to 1.83 for the standard at 36 weeks. Viability was slightly lower but not significantly different. Overall, the optimized open poultry house YAPI-20.25^® allowed controlled densification without compromising performance or welfare, confirming its relevance as a solution adapted to land-use constraints.