The Influence of Various Methods of Poultry Husbandry and Other Factors on the Leucocyte Count of Hens

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Abstract
Hens kept in individual cages had a highly significantly lower leucocyte count than hens from the free range. Hens on deep litter had the highest leucocyte count. The highest number of lymphocytes were present from birds on deep litter, and that of heterophils from birds on free range. After transferring the cocks into cages, their leucocyte count dropped markedly after 1 to 2 months. On the other hand, an admixture of deep litter of either 20 or 33% to the feed for cage hens increased the number of leucocytes. Supplemental vitamin B12 did not increase leucocyte counts.