**4. Discussion**

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing two practice-oriented transport variants for pullets over a period of 72 h via fecal CM. The aim of the study was to evaluate which of the two examined transport variants resulted in less pronounced stress responses of the birds. Measurements of CM, a reliable indicator of stress [17], showed no significant transport-specific difference between Variants I and II. Instead, we discovered significant differences between the layer lines in CM responses, touch test results, and weight loss. Several studies have already shown differences between white and brown hens; for example, differences in plasma corticosterone responses after a treatment [33], in tonic immobility [34–37], or in results from other fear tests [38,39].
