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Effects of rearing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens
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Effects of rearing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens H.J. Blokhuis Spelderholt Centre for Poultry Research and lnformation Services, 7361 1),4 Beekbergen, Netherlands ABSTRACT Experimental results indicate that feather pecking is a form of redirected ground pecking (Blokhuis, 1989). Therefore, the quality of the ground may be important in relation to feather pecking. The animal's past experience with environmental stimuli is crucial in the validation of such stimuli as incentives (Toates). Experience in early life with ground as an incentive for pecking may influence pecking behaviour in later life. In the present experiments, the quality of the ground was different in different rearing groups of laying hens. Effects of these differences on feather pecking and feather damage were measured during the laying period. Birds were reared in small pens in groups of 12 (eight birds m -2), until 17 weeks of age. They were not beak-trimmed. In one experiment, ten groups were reared on litter floors and ten groups were reared on wire floors. In a second experiment in which all groups were reared on litter floors, ten groups received additional straw three times per week, ten groups received additional grain in the litter three times per week and a further ten groups served as controls. At 17 weeks of age, groups were moved to larger pens (1.9 birds m -2) in a laying house. Here all pens were identical with a part litter and part slatted floor and all treatments were the same. Four birds per pen (40 per treatment) were scored for feather damage at 17, 30 and 42 weeks of age. In the first experiment, it was shown that litter-reared birds had significantly less feather damage at 30 and 42 weeks ( P < 0.05) while there was no difference at 17 weeks. In the second experiment, the treatment with additional grain positively affected feather quality at 30 and 42 weeks ( P < 0.05 ). It is concluded that experiences during rearing influence pecking preferences during the laying period.
REFERENCES Blokhuis, H.J., 1989. The d e v e l o p m e n t a n d causation of feather pecking in the domestic fowl. Spelderholt Publ. No. 520, 109 pp. Toates, F., 1986. M o t i v a t i o n a l Systems. C a m b r i d g e University Press, Cambridge, 188 pp.
Nest choice of laying hens: the effect of nest shape and quantity of straw G. Norgaard-Nielsen Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Department Animal Science and Animal Health, Frederiksberg, Denmark
ABSTRACT Although hens prefer to lay in mouldable or at least bowl-shaped nests, the so-called artificial grass mat (AstroTurf) is popular among "alternative" egg producers. It is also claimed that manipulatable
Effects of rearing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens H.J. Blokhuis Spelderholt Centre for Poultry Research and lnformation Services, 7361 1),4 Beekbergen, Netherlands ABSTRACT Experimental results indicate that feather pecking is a form of redirected ground pecking (Blokhuis, 1989). Therefore, the quality of the ground may be important in relation to feather pecking. The animal's past experience with environmental stimuli is crucial in the validation of such stimuli as incentives (Toates). Experience in early life with ground as an incentive for pecking may influence pecking behaviour in later life. In the present experiments, the quality of the ground was different in different rearing groups of laying hens. Effects of these differences on feather pecking and feather damage were measured during the laying period. Birds were reared in small pens in groups of 12 (eight birds m -2), until 17 weeks of age. They were not beak-trimmed. In one experiment, ten groups were reared on litter floors and ten groups were reared on wire floors. In a second experiment in which all groups were reared on litter floors, ten groups received additional straw three times per week, ten groups received additional grain in the litter three times per week and a further ten groups served as controls. At 17 weeks of age, groups were moved to larger pens (1.9 birds m -2) in a laying house. Here all pens were identical with a part litter and part slatted floor and all treatments were the same. Four birds per pen (40 per treatment) were scored for feather damage at 17, 30 and 42 weeks of age. In the first experiment, it was shown that litter-reared birds had significantly less feather damage at 30 and 42 weeks ( P < 0.05) while there was no difference at 17 weeks. In the second experiment, the treatment with additional grain positively affected feather quality at 30 and 42 weeks ( P < 0.05 ). It is concluded that experiences during rearing influence pecking preferences during the laying period.
REFERENCES Blokhuis, H.J., 1989. The d e v e l o p m e n t a n d causation of feather pecking in the domestic fowl. Spelderholt Publ. No. 520, 109 pp. Toates, F., 1986. M o t i v a t i o n a l Systems. C a m b r i d g e University Press, Cambridge, 188 pp.
Nest choice of laying hens: the effect of nest shape and quantity of straw G. Norgaard-Nielsen Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Department Animal Science and Animal Health, Frederiksberg, Denmark
ABSTRACT Although hens prefer to lay in mouldable or at least bowl-shaped nests, the so-called artificial grass mat (AstroTurf) is popular among "alternative" egg producers. It is also claimed that manipulatable