& nbsp;     The pads in the enriched group feeding system are often contaminated with chicken manure. The contaminated padding has raised concerns about the quality of microorganisms in the production environment, thereby increasing attention to egg safety or the incidence of other diseases. Research and development should focus on researching methods that can keep the pad clean. Anecdotes in this regard suggest that the size of the pad has a significant impact on its cleanliness.

  & nbsp;   For flat farming systems that use padding, such as large birdcage chicken coops, on-site data shows that the concentration and emission rate of airborne suspended particles in such farming systems are much higher than those in traditional cage farming systems. A higher concentration of PM can affect the health of laying hens and workers. The existing effective dust control system can be used to control the generation of PM in the animal feeding house. For example, the electronic sedimentation system can reduce the dust in the broiler house, and the oil drop spray system can suppress the dust in the pig house. However, it is uncertain whether such a system can be used in the large birdcage chicken house, because the electronic sedimentation system will make the dust adhere to the equipment in the chicken house, and the oil droplets of spray will increase the possibility of injury when the hens move between the ground and the cage layer. Therefore, further research is needed on other methods that can significantly reduce dust generation in non cage feeding systems, as well as innovative engineering designs.

  & nbsp;     Light management plays a crucial role in the feeding of laying hens. In non cage feeding systems, such as large cage chicken coops, the correct lighting program is key to training laying hens to lay their eggs in designated egg boxes instead of on bedding/manure floors. Simulating dusk and dawn with an adjustable lighting system is more effective than suddenly turning on/off the lights in the morning to wake up the laying hens and encourage them to return to their nests at night.