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Johny A, Janczak AM, Nordgreen J, Toscano MJ, Stratmann A. Mind the ramp: Association between early life ramp use and spatial cognition in laying hen pullets. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302454. [PMID: 38669289 PMCID: PMC11051627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ramps facilitate earlier access to complex environments and increase early life voluntary exercise, which may positively affect the cognitive development of chickens. This study focused on quantifying individual differences in ramp use and its impact on spatial cognition of laying hen pullets. Sixteen identical pens were housed with Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) chicks of which eight chicks from each pen were colour marked from one day of age (DoA) to serve as focal birds. We quantified overall ramp use (walk/run, wing-assisted incline running, and jump/fly to and from ramps) by scan sampling recorded videos for 6, 10, 12, 20, 27, 41, and 55 DoA for all focal birds. From 56 to 95 DoA, long and short-term spatial memory of three focal birds per pen were assessed in a holeboard test in three consecutive phases: cued, uncued and reversal. Mixed model analysis showed that the spatial cognitive abilities of the birds were linked to differences in ramp use frequency averaged across all observation days. Birds with higher ramp use made fewer reference (Estimate ± Confidence Interval = 0.94 [0.88, 0.99], p = 0.08) and working memory errors (Est ± CI = 0.77 [0.59, 1.00], p = 0.06) in the cued phase than birds with lower ramp use. In contrast, birds with higher ramp use made more reference memory errors (Est ± CI = 1.10 [1.01, 1.20], p = 0.05) in the reversal phase. Birds with higher ramp use also made more reference memory errors compared to birds with lower ramp use as the phases changed from cued to uncued (p = 0.001). Our results indicate that there might be a relationship between early life ramp use and spatial cognition of laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Johny
- VPHI Institute, Centre for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits, University of Bern, Zollikofen, Switzerland
- Graduate school of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew M. Janczak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Janicke Nordgreen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Michael J. Toscano
- VPHI Institute, Centre for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits, University of Bern, Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Ariane Stratmann
- VPHI Institute, Centre for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits, University of Bern, Zollikofen, Switzerland
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Hong GAT, Tobalske BW, van Staaveren N, Leishman EM, Widowski T, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. A wing-assisted incline running exercise regime during rearing increases initial flight velocity during descent in adult white- and brown-feathered laying hens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103375. [PMID: 38198915 PMCID: PMC10792642 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Domestic laying hens rely primarily on their hindlimbs for terrestrial locomotion. Although they perform flapping flight, they appear to use maximal power during descent and thus may lack control for maneuvering and avoiding injuries on landing. This in turn may result in injury in open rearing systems. Wing-assisted incline running (WAIR) requires a bird to use its wings to assist the hindlimbs during climbing of an incline, and training in WAIR may therefore provide a useful method to increase a hen's power reserve and control for flight. We subjected hens to an exercise regimen involving inclines to induce WAIR for 16 wk during rearing. We then measured wing and body kinematics during aerial descent from a 155 cm platform. We hypothesized that birds reared with exercise would be better able to modulate their wing and body kinematics for making slower, more-controlled descent and landing. Brown-feathered birds exhibited greater wing beat frequencies than white-feathered birds, which is consistent with the higher wing loading of brown-feathered birds and WAIR-trained birds exhibited greater initial flight velocities compared to control birds. This may indicate that WAIR training provided an improved capacity to modulate flight velocity and strengthen the leg muscles. Providing incline exercises during rearing may therefore improve welfare for adult laying hens as greater initial flight velocity should reduce the power required for supporting body weight in the air and allow a hen to direct her excess power toward maneuvering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A T Hong
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bret W Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Department Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emily M Leishman
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Nutrition Modelling, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tina Widowski
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Donald R Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
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Rentsch AK, Ross E, Harlander A, Niel L, Siegford JM, Widowski TM. The development of laying hen locomotion in 3D space is affected by early environmental complexity and genetic strain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10084. [PMID: 37344513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35956-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult laying hens are increasingly housed in spatially complex systems, e.g., non-cage aviaries, where locomotion between elevated structures can be challenging for these gallinaceous birds. This study assessed the effect of early environmental complexity on spatial skills in two genetic strains. Brown (B) and white (W) feathered birds were raised in: Conventional cages with minimal complexity (Conv) or rearing aviaries with low (Low), intermediate (Mid), or high complexity (High). Birds from each housing treatment were challenged at three different time points in three different, age-appropriate vertical spatial tasks. Whites performed better than brown birds in all tests regardless of rearing environment. In chicks, test performance was predominantly explained by variation between replicates and differences in motivation for test participation. Treatment effects were seen in pubertal birds (pullets), with pullets from aviaries performing better than those from Conv. White High pullets performed better than white Mid or Low, an effect that was not found in browns. Pullets preferred to use a ramp to move downwards, but only when ramps had previously been experienced and when the ramp was not too steep. Overall, early environmental complexity affected spatial skills of laying hen pullets with stronger effects in white than brown feathered birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K Rentsch
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Ross
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lee Niel
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Janice M Siegford
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Tina M Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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Nicol C. The Gordon Memorial Lecture: Laying Hen Welfare. Br Poult Sci 2023. [PMID: 37162178 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2023.2211891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Preference tests remain a useful tool in the assessment of laying hen welfare and have been used to establish what types of resources and enrichments are most likely to meet the birds' needs. Evidence on the underlying structure of bird preference suggests that hens make stable and reliable choices across time and context. This means that their preferences can also be used as a benchmark in the validation of other welfare indicators. Hens have sophisticated cognitive abilities. They are quick to form associations between events and they are flexible in how they apply their knowledge in different contexts. However, they may not form expectations about the world in the same way as some mammalian species. Limited research in this area to date seems to show that hens judge situations in absolute terms rather than evaluating how a situation may be improving or deteriorating. The proportion of hens housed in cage-free systems is increasing globally, providing birds with greater behavioural freedom. Many of the problems associated with cage-free systems, such as keel bone fractures, mortality and injurious pecking, are slowly reducing due to improved experience and appropriate changes in rearing practices, diet, housing design and alignment of breeding goals. However, much remains to be done. The design and performance of veranda-based systems which provide hens with fresh air and natural light is a promising avenue for future research aimed at optimising hen welfare and improving sustainability.
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This is the way: the effect of artificial cues on early life ramp use behaviour of laying hen chicks. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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Nannoni E, Buonaiuto G, Martelli G, Lizzi G, Trevisani G, Garavini G, Sardi L. Influence of Increased Freedom of Movement on Welfare and Egg Laying Pattern of Hens Kept in Aviaries. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182307. [PMID: 36139167 PMCID: PMC9495151 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This work investigates the effects of structural modifications on the welfare level and laying patterns of hens in a three-tier commercial aviary system. Four experimental groups were used: C (control, housed in a traditional aviary); LM (longitudinal movement, in which internal partitions were removed); VM (vertical movement, in which ramps were installed); and FM (freedom of movement, both LM and VM modifications). Hens showed worse body condition scores (p < 0.05) in all the modified aviaries, while plumage condition was improved in FM but worsened in VM (p < 0.05). No significant effect was observed on egg deposition patterns, egg quality or keel bone damage. When ramps were available (VM and FM groups), hens reduced the number of flights and increased the number of walks from 0.52 to 7.7% of the displacements on average (p < 0.05). Apart from some feather pecking concerns in VM (likely due to overcrowding in some favourite aviary areas), LM and FM seemed to facilitate animal movement and promote species−specific behaviour. It is concluded that hen welfare in aviary systems can be improved by means of tailored structural modifications. Producers may therefore adopt some of these modifications (providing ramps and/or removing vertical barriers) to enhance the welfare of hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nannoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Buonaiuto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Martelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Gabriele Lizzi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy
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