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Chang Q, Li C, Zhao S, Wang H, Li J, Zhang R, Bao J. Research Note: Effects of environmental sound stimulus on behavioral responses, cortisol levels, and horizontal immunity of transferred pullets. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103689. [PMID: 38579543 PMCID: PMC11004998 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103689] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged exposure to varying levels of music or noise on the behavioral, physiological, and immune responses of pullets following their transfer to an egg-laying facility. A total of 240 one-day-old Hy-Line Brown pullets were randomly assigned to five groups: 0 dB sound stimulation, low-decibel music (65-75 dB), high-decibel music (85-95 dB), low-decibel noise (65-75 dB), and high-decibel noise (85-95 dB) stimuli. Pullets received music or noise stimuli 10 h per d from 1-day-old to 16-wk-old and were then transferred to the egg-laying facility. The results indicated that feeding and drinking behaviors significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas feather pecking, aggression, and preening behaviors significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the pullets after transfer. Pullets also had higher serum cortisol (COR) levels (P < 0.05), whereas immunoglobulin Y (IgY), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels significantly increased (P < 0.05). Low-decibel sound stimuli increased aggressive behavior and decreased pecking behavior (P < 0.05). High-decibel sound stimuli decreased feather pecking, cage pecking, aggression, and sham dustbathing behaviors (P < 0.05). In addition, a low-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum COR content, and increased the serum IL-6 level in the transferred pullets. A high-decibel sound stimulus also induced shorter tonic immobility (TI) durations in pullets on d 7 after transport stress. Meanwhile, high-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels of pullets. In conclusion, the transfer has detrimental effects on the pullets. Long-term sound stimulation effectively mitigated the negative impact of transportation stress on pullets. Among them, the high-decibel sound stimulus showed more promise in relieving transport stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Chang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chun Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Haowen Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Runxiang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, 150030, China
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Pillan G, Xiccato G, Ciarelli C, Bordignon F, Concollato A, Pascual A, Birolo M, Pirrone F, Sirri F, Averόs X, Estevez I, Trocino A. Factors affecting space use by laying hens in a cage-free aviary system: effect of nest lighting at pullet housing and of curtain nest color during laying. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102524. [PMID: 36805400 PMCID: PMC9969319 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
At 17 wk of age, 1,800 Lohman brown hens were housed in 8 pens of an experimental aviary system, specifically set up for the purposes of the present study, and kept until 26 wk without or with nest lighting (lights inside the nest 1.5 h before the lighting of the installation) for training in the nest use. Then, at 27 wk, 4 combinations of nest curtains were adopted to evaluate the effects on hens' distribution, that is, nests with red (RR) or yellow (YY) curtains at all tiers; nests with red and yellow curtains at the first and second tier, respectively (RY); or nests with yellow and red curtains at the first and second tier, respectively (YR). The use of enlightened compared to dark nests at housing increased the oviposition rate (P < 0.001) and decreased the rate of broken (P < 0.001) and dirty eggs (P < 0.05) from 27 to 45 wk, while increasing the rate of eggs laid inside the nests (P < 0.001). The presence of yellow nest curtains increased the rate of hens on the floor in pens YY and YR compared to pens RR and RY (35.3 and 35.5% vs. 34.1 and 33.3%, respectively; P = 0.05) and the rate of floor eggs in pens YR (2.23% vs. 1.63 and 1.65% in pens RR and RY; P < 0.05). In pens RY, a higher rate of eggs was always found on the second tier compared to the first one with the most inhomogeneous distribution compared to pens RR, YY, and YR (+10.8 vs. +3.4, +1.9, and +4.6 percentage points of eggs laid on the second tier compared to the first one, respectively). In conclusion, nest lighting at housing trained hens to the use of nests while improving egg production in terms of quantity and quality. The use of yellow curtains on nests moved hens between the different levels of the aviary but this was not associated with an increased nest use for laying.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Pillan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - G. Xiccato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - C. Ciarelli
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Bordignon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | | | - A. Pascual
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - M. Birolo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Pirrone
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - X. Averόs
- Animal Production Department, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - I. Estevez
- Animal Production Department, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - A. Trocino
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy,Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy,Corresponding author:
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Farm Environmental Enrichments Improve the Welfare of Layer Chicks and Pullets: A Comprehensive Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192610. [PMID: 36230351 PMCID: PMC9559498 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, cage housing is regarded as a global mainstream production system for laying hens. However, limited living space and confinement of birds in cages cause welfare and health problems, such as feather pecking, osteoporosis, obesity, and premature aging. Many studies have been conducted to alleviate layer welfare problems by providing farm environmental enrichments such as litter, sand, alfalfa bales, chick papers, pecking stones, pecking strings, perches, slopes, elevated platforms, aviaries and outdoor access with a trend towards complex enrichments. The provision of appropriate enrichments continuously attracts layers towards pecking, foraging, dust bathing, and locomotion, thereby giving lifelong benefits to laying hens. Hence, raising chicks and pullets under such conditions may reduce feather and skin damage, as well as accumulation of abdominal fat, and improve several biological features such as health, productivity, quality products, and docility of laying hens. Therefore, providing enrichment during the first few days of the layer’s life without any interruption is crucial. In addition, due to different farm conditions, environmental enrichment should be managed by well-trained farm staff. For example, in preventing feather pecking among the birds, litter materials for foraging are superior to dust bath materials or new items. However, a limited supply of litter creates competition and challenges among birds. Therefore, providing farm environmental enrichment for layers requires proper handling, especially in commercial layer farms. Hence, improving the welfare of chicks and pullets through optimizing on-farm environmental enrichments is essential for production systems practicing cage housing.
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Effect of Providing Environmental Enrichment into Aviary House on the Welfare of Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091165. [PMID: 35565591 PMCID: PMC9103546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of providing environmental enrichment materials—pumice stone and alfalfa hay—to laying hens in the aviary system. A total of 2196 40-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to three treatment groups: (1) no enrichment (control; CON), (2) enrichment with pumice stone (PS), and (3) enrichment with alfalfa hay (HAY). Each treatment comprised four replicates of 183 hens each, and four of the same materials were provided per replicate. The experiment lasted for 26 weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. As a result, the PS and HAY groups demonstrated increased egg production (p < 0.001). The HAY group showed a reduced rate of mislaid eggs (p < 0.01) and produced low egg weight and pale-yellow yolk (p < 0.05). Both enrichment materials decreased blood creatinine (CRE) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood and resulted in a significantly lower corticosterone (CORT) level (p < 0.05). However, the feather condition scores for the laying hens were similar across all treatments (p > 0.05). In summary, although pumice stone and alfalfa hay are effective in alleviating stress and improving the production of laying hens, additional environmental improvement studies are needed to contribute to reducing pecking behaviors in poultry farming.
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The Effect of Hard Pecking Enrichment during Rear on Feather Cover, Feather Pecking Behaviour and Beak Length in Beak-Trimmed and Intact-Beak Laying Hen Pullets. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060674. [PMID: 35327072 PMCID: PMC8944788 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Injurious pecking, commonly controlled by beak trimming (BT), is a widespread issue in laying hens associated with thwarted foraging. This controlled study compared the effect in intact and beak-trimmed pullets of providing pecking pans to eight treatment flocks from six weeks of age. Flocks (mean size 6843) comprised eight British Blacktail, six Lohmann Brown and two Bovans Brown. All young birds (6−7 weeks) pecked more frequently at the pecking pans (mean 40.4) than older pullets (mean 26.0, 23.3 pecks/bird/min at 10−11 weeks and 14−15 weeks, respectively) (p < 0.005). There was no effect on feather pecking or plumage cover. Mean side-beak length and mean top-beak lengths were shorter in treatment flocks at 6−7 weeks and 10−11 weeks (p < 0.001). Intact-beak treatment flocks had shorter mean side-beak length at 10−11 weeks (p < 0.001) and at 14−15 weeks (p < 0.05) and mean top-beak length at 6−7 weeks (p < 0.05) and at 10−11 weeks (p < 0.05). BT treatment flocks had shorter side-beak and top-beak lengths at 6−7 weeks and at 10−11 weeks (p < 0.001). Beak lengths showed linear growth, with individual bird variation indicating a potential for genetic selection. The study demonstrated that abrasive material can reduce beak length in pullets.
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Meyer MM, Johnson AK, Bobeck EA. Laser Enrichment Device Stimulates Broiler Laser-Following Behavior While Increasing Individual Bird Locomotion and Pen-Wide Movement. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.784408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection for fast growth rate and high breast muscle yield in modern broilers has unintended effects on animal welfare and behavior, namely in terms of inactivity and leg disorders. We hypothesized that exercise stimulated through environmental enrichment could positively stimulate pen-wide activity and improve bird welfare. The study objectives were to implement a laser enrichment device to motivate active and feeding behaviors throughout the pen. Twelve hundred Ross 708 broilers were randomly assigned to enrichment (LASER; laser enrichment, or CON; no laser enrichment) for 49 d. Seventy focal birds were randomly assigned to 14 video-recorded pens for behavioral analysis, including focal bird home pen behavior and walking distance. Pen-wide activity was also measured during the 4-min laser periods, four times daily, d0–8, and 1 day weekly, wk 1–6. Focal birds were gait scored wk 1–6, and were euthanized on d42 for tibia bone mineral content, density, and bone breaking strength analysis. Time spent active was increased in LASER-enriched birds compared to CON on wk 3–5 by up to 214% (wk 4), and percent of time at the feeder was increased in LASER-enriched birds by 761% on wk 4 (P < 0.05). Peak percent of birds following the laser (LASER-enriched pens only) was observed on d0 (8.52%). Over wk 1–6, peak laser-following behavior was observed on wk 3 (3.07% of birds). Percent of birds moving during laser periods was increased in LASER-enriched pens on d0, 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, with a percent increase of 68.7% observed on d1 (P < 0.05). Percent of birds moving (laser-following or not) was increased on wk 1, 3, and 4 in LASER-enriched pens, with an increase of 69.7% observed on wk 4 (P < 0.05). No differences were found in tibia measures. These data indicate that laser enrichment stimulated voluntary locomotion through wk 5 and laser-following behavior through wk 6, and that the relatively small percent of birds actively following the laser stimulated pen-wide movement above the level of the CON through wk 4 on study.
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Reiser S, Pohlmann DM, Blancke T, Koops U, Trautner J. Environmental enrichment during early rearing provokes epigenetic changes in the brain of a salmonid fish. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2021; 39:100838. [PMID: 33930773 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2021.100838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment is used to increase structural complexity of captive rearing systems and has been shown to provoke a wide range of effects in the kept animals. Here we studied the effects of enrichment on DNA methylation patterns at the whole-genome level in the brain of rainbow trout reared in an aquaculture setting. We investigated the epigenetic effects between different types of enrichment (natural substrate vs. artificial substrate vs. barren) in three developmental stages (egg vs. alevin vs. fry) and as enrichment was discontinued at the fingerling stage by means of the Methylation-Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) technique. While enrichment did not affect growth in body size, we found enrichment to affected global DNA methylation in the brain at the egg and alevin stage, i.e., the period during development where the animals are in close physical contact with the substrate. At these stages, trout reared on the two substrates differed more from the control than the substrates differed from each other. Only minor differences between rearing environments were detected following emergence at the fry stage. When enrichment was discontinued during the rearing of fingerlings, no differences in DNA methylation patterns were observed between the rearing environments. Our results provide further evidence on the effects of enrichment in the captive rearing of fish and show that enrichment can even modulate epigenetic patterns. The effect on the epigenome may be causal for the previously reported effects of enrichment on gene expression, behaviour and brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Reiser
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | - Tina Blancke
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Udo Koops
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Wulfsdorfer Weg 204, 22926 Ahrensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Trautner
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany
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Glatz PC, Underwood G. Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an19673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Beak trimming is used in the egg industry to prevent mortality from cannibalism and minimise injurious pecking, vent pecking, aggressive pecking at the head and all forms of feather pecking, although the practice does not completely reduce the damage. There are alternatives to beak trimming, but they have not been reliable in preventing injurious pecking. However, beak trimming should not be used without providing birds enriched indoor and outdoor environments. Even when birds are beak trimmed, providing enriched facilities is recommended. The two main methods of beak trimming are hot blade (HB) and infrared beak treatment (IRBT). HB trimming removes the beak tips and cauterises the beak stump. The IRBT method uses heat from an infrared lamp to treat the outer beak and the underlying tissue. Initially, the tips of the beak remain intact and then soften and wear as the bird uses its beak. In contrast, the HB method results in an open wound that takes 3 weeks to heal. Two major welfare issues arise from beak trimming. The first is loss of sensory input because of removal of or heat treatment of sensory receptors in the beak. The second issue is the potential for acute and chronic pain from severing or heat treatment of nerves. HB trimming initially results in acute pain but there is limited evidence for beak sensitivity in IRBT birds. The development of neuromas in the beak have been implicated as a cause of chronic pain after HB trimming. When birds are HB trimmed (one-half of upper beak; one-third of lower) in the first 10 days of life, neuromas will develop, but they will resolve, compared with birds trimmed at older ages. However, neuromas will not resolve in 10-day old birds if more than one-half of the beak is HB trimmed. While HB trimming is performed according to accreditation standards by removal of one-half the upper beak and one-third of the lower beak is considered excessive, it prevents beak regrowth and the need to subject birds to re-trimming and a second bout of acute pain from the beak wound. Current levels of IRBT to treat half of the beak using the vendors quality-assurance protocol have been implemented worldwide to ensure that neuroma formation is prevented; however, if severe levels of IRBT are used, acute pain and subsequent neuromas may persist. The main impact of beak trimming is how the bird uses its beak when it eats, drinks and pecks at other birds and the environment. Reduced feed intake after HB trimming indicates pain associated with pecking or difficulty in eating. HB-trimmed birds initially show an increase in listlessness and guarding behaviours and increased inactivity, which indicates pain. IRBT and HB-trimmed birds have fewer aggressive pecks at the head, and there is a reduction in severe feather pecking and better feather scores, which results in a large reduction in mortality. Depending on the severity of IRBT and HB trimming, the advantage of using IRBT is improved welfare.
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Meyer MM, Johnson AK, Bobeck EA. A novel environmental enrichment device improved broiler performance without sacrificing bird physiological or environmental quality measures. Poult Sci 2020; 98:5247-5256. [PMID: 31361018 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern commercial broilers have been genetically selected for fast growth and heavy breast muscling, contributing to a top-heavy phenotype and increased leg lameness. A quick-growing phenotype coupled with poor leg health fosters inactivity. The objective of this study was to stimulate broiler movement using novel environmental enrichment and determine the impact of movement on production, leg health, and environmental parameters. A total of 1,200 Ross 308 broilers were housed in 40 pens with 30 birds/pen for 6 wk in 2 separate rooms (laser enrichment or control). Each enrichment device was mounted above 2 adjoining pens, projected 2 independent, randomly moving laser beams at the floor to stimulate innate predatory behavior, and was active 4 times daily in 4-min periods. Performance outcomes were calculated by pen and averaged per bird for each performance period and overall days 0 to 42. A total of 70 randomly selected focal birds were examined for breast blisters and footpad dermatitis each week and euthanized on day 42 for tibia quality measures. Air quality and litter moisture were sampled by week. Laser-enriched pens had greater average bird feed intake in starter (P < 0.001), grower (P = 0.004), finisher periods (P = 0.004), and overall days 0 to 42 (0.19 kg/bird; P = 0.0003). Average bird weight gain was also increased in enriched pens in each performance period: starter (P = 0.043), grower (P = 0.001), finisher (P < 0.001), and overall days 0 to 42 (0.24 kg/bird; P < 0.001). Enriched pens had improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) vs. control with a decrease of 3 FCR points in the grower (P = 0.031), 18 points in the finisher (P < 0.001), and 7 points overall (P < 0.001). Enriched pens had higher ADG during starter (P = 0.048), finisher (P < 0.001), and overall (5.7 g/bird/d; P < 0.001). No differences were found in breast blister, footpad dermatitis, tibia, air, or litter quality measures (P > 0.05). In summary, a novel enrichment device based on bird visual feeding and predatory instincts positively affected performance through decreased FCR and increased ADG without sacrificing external animal-based measures, tibia quality, or air or litter quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Meyer
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010
| | - A K Johnson
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010
| | - E A Bobeck
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010
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Meyer MM, Johnson AK, Bobeck EA. A novel environmental enrichment device increased physical activity and walking distance in broilers. Poult Sci 2020; 99:48-60. [PMID: 32416834 PMCID: PMC7587826 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern broilers are selected for fast growth and a large proportion of breast tissue, contributing to a top-heavy phenotype, leg disorders, and inactivity as birds reach market weight. Therefore, the objective was to motivate broilers to move through environmental enrichment. A total of 1,200 Ross 308 broilers were housed in pens of 30 for 6 wk: 600 birds were exposed to a novel laser enrichment device (LASER) and 600 were control. Each device projected 2 randomly moving red laser dots onto the floor 4 times/day for 4-min "laser periods." Seven LASER and 7 control pens, with 5 focal birds/pen (n = 70), were randomly selected to be video-recorded day 0 to 8 and once weekly for the remainder of the trial. Videos were analyzed to measure broiler time-budget and behaviors such as latency to feed and distance walked during laser periods. Focal birds were gait scored weekly on-farm. A test of the human-approach paradigm was carried out on weeks 1 and 6 on all pens. LASER birds were more active on days 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, moving 254% more on day 7 (P ≤ 0.05). Time spent active was increased in LASER treatment by 114% on week 2; 157% on week 3; 90% on week 4; and 82% on week 5. LASER birds spent more time at the feeder on days 0, 1, 2, 5, 8, and on weeks 1 and 5, with 84% more time at feeder than control on day 5 (P ≤ 0.05). LASER birds walked further during laser periods on day 0 to 8, reaching 646.5 cm greater (day 1), and on weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5, with an increase of 367.5 cm on week 2 (P ≤ 0.05). Over week 1 to 6, 60.54 ± 7.4% of focal birds in the laser treatment were at the feeder during or within 5 min following laser periods. The laser enrichment device was successful in stimulating broiler physical activity and feeding, and did not negatively impact walking ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan M Meyer
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010
| | - Anna K Johnson
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010
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Schreiter R, Damme K, von Borell E, Vogt I, Klunker M, Freick M. Effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of feather pecking in pullets and laying hens - A focused review. Vet Med Sci 2019; 5:500-507. [PMID: 31267678 PMCID: PMC6868447 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a serious problem in the egg production industry with regard to animal welfare and performance. The multifactorial causes of SFP are discussed in the areas of genetics, feeding, husbandry, stable climate and management. Several studies on the influence of manipulable material on the incidence of SFP in different environments and housing systems have been performed. This review presents current knowledge on the effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of SFP in pullets and laying hens. Because SFP is associated with foraging and feed intake behaviour, the provision of manipulable material in the husbandry environment is an approach that is intended to reduce the occurrence of SFP by adequate exercise of these behaviours. As shown in the literature, the positive effect of enrichment and litter substrate on SFP in a low‐complexity cage environment is evident. On the other hand, consistent results have not been reported on the influence of additional enrichment material in housing systems with litter substrate, which represent the most common type of husbandry in Northwestern Europe. Thus, further research is recommended. Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a serious problem in the egg production industry with regard to animal welfare and performance. This review presents current knowledge on the effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of SFP in pullets and laying hens. While the positive effect of enrichment and litter substrate on SFP in a low complexity cage environment is evident, consistent results have not been reported on the influence of additional enrichment material in housing systems with litter substrate.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schreiter
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus Damme
- Bayerische Staatsgüter, Lehr-, Versuchs- und Fachzentrum für Geflügel- und Kleintierhaltung, Kitzingen, Germany
| | | | - Isabelle Vogt
- HTW Dresden - University of Applied Sciences, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Klunker
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Freick
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany.,HTW Dresden - University of Applied Sciences, Dresden, Germany
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Campbell DLM, de Haas EN, Lee C. A review of environmental enrichment for laying hens during rearing in relation to their behavioral and physiological development. Poult Sci 2019; 98:9-28. [PMID: 30107615 PMCID: PMC6347129 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pey319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, laying hen production systems are a focus of concern for animal welfare. Recently, the impacts of rearing environments have attracted attention, particularly with the trend toward more complex production systems including aviaries, furnished cages, barn, and free-range. Enriching the rearing environments with physical, sensory, and stimulatory additions can optimize the bird's development but commercial-scale research is limited. In this review, "enrichment" is defined as anything additional added to the bird's environment including structurally complex rearing systems. The impacts of enrichments on visual development, neurobehavioral development, auditory stimulation, skeletal development, immune function, behavioral development of fear and pecking, and specifically pullets destined for free-range systems are summarized and areas for future research identified. Visual enrichment and auditory stimulation may enhance neural development but specific mechanisms of impact and suitable commercial enrichments still need elucidating. Enrichments that target left/right brain hemispheres/behavioral traits may prepare birds for specific types of adult housing environments (caged, indoor, outdoor). Similarly, structural enrichments are needed to optimize skeletal development depending on the adult layer system, but specific physiological processes resulting from different types of exercise are poorly understood. Stimulating appropriate pecking behavior from hatch is critical but producers will need to adapt to different flock preferences to provide enrichments that are utilized by each rearing group. Enrichments have potential to enhance immune function through the application of mild stressors that promote adaptability, and this same principle applies to free-range pullets destined for variable outdoor environments. Complex rearing systems may have multiple benefits, including reducing fear, that improve the transition to the layer facility. Overall, there is a need to commercially validate positive impacts of cost-effective enrichments on bird behavior and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L M Campbell
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Agriculture and Food, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- Adjunct to School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - E N de Haas
- Behavioural Ecology Group and Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Science, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - C Lee
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Agriculture and Food, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- Adjunct to School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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Baxter M, O’Connell NE. Does grouping environmental enrichments together affect the way they are used by commercially housed broiler chickens? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Pettersson IC, Weeks CA, Nicol CJ. Provision of a resource package reduces feather pecking and improves ranging distribution on free-range layer farms. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Yildirim M, Taskin A. The effects of Environmental Enrichment on Some Physiological and Behavioral Parameters of Broiler Chicks. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2016-0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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16
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Weldon KB, Fanson KV, Smith CL. Effects of Isolation on Stress Responses to Novel Stimuli in Subadult Chickens (Gallus gallus
). Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly B. Weldon
- Department of Cognitive Science; Macquarie University; Marsfield NSW Australia
| | - Kerry V. Fanson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; Deakin University; Waurn Ponds Vic. Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; North Ryde NSW Australia
| | - Carolynn L. Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; North Ryde NSW Australia
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Can Non-Beak Treated Hens be Kept in Commercial Furnished Cages? Exploring the Effects of Strain and Extra Environmental Enrichment on Behaviour, Feather Cover, and Mortality. Animals (Basel) 2016; 6:ani6030017. [PMID: 26927190 PMCID: PMC4810045 DOI: 10.3390/ani6030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial laying hens are prone to injurious pecking (IP), a common multifactorial problem. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design assessed the effects of breed (Lohmann Brown Classic (L) or Hyline Brown (H)), beak treatment (infra-red treated (T) or not (NT)), and environment (extra enrichment (EE) or no extra enrichment (NE)) on mortality, behaviour, feather cover, and beak shape. Hens were allocated to treatments at 16 weeks of age and data were collected every four weeks from age 19 to 71 weeks. Data were analysed in Genstat using mixed models. L hens had higher all and IP-related mortality than H hens (p < 0.003), whilst NT hens had higher mortality than T hens but only due to culling of whole cages (p < 0.001). Feather cover for L hens deteriorated more quickly with age at most body sites than H hens (age × breed × body site p < 0.001). For NT hens, feather cover was worse at most body sites (beak treatment × body site p < 0.001), and worsened more quickly with age (age × beak treatment p = 0.014) than T hens. L and NE hens performed more bird-to-bird pecking than H and EE hens, respectively (breed p = 0.015, enrichment p = 0.032). More damage to mats and ropes was caused by L and NT hens than by H and T hens, respectively (age × breed p < 0.005, beak treatment p < 0.001). Though H hens had fewer mortalities and better feather cover, breed effects may have been influenced by farm management practices, as they may have been better suited to H than L hens. Though EE hens performed less bird-to-bird pecking, the enrichments were less effective at reducing feather cover damage and mortality than expected.
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Matur E, Akyazi İ, Eraslan E, Ergul Ekiz E, Eseceli H, Keten M, Metiner K, Aktaran Bala D. The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the weights of lymphoid organs, cell-mediated immune response, heterophil functions and antibody production in laying hens. Anim Sci J 2015; 87:284-92. [PMID: 26419323 DOI: 10.1111/asj.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the immune system were investigated in laying hens. A total of 48 1-day-old chickens were used, half of the chickens were reared in conventional cages (RCC) and the rest in enriched cages (REC). Transport stress was applied in the 17th week. Liver weight decreased, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights, white blood cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions increased due to the transport. Environmental enrichment significantly increased antibody production and tended to increase monocyte percentage and CD8+ cell proportion. The effect of transport on, heterophil (H) and lymphocyte (L) percentages was not significant in RCC chickens. While heterophil percentage and H:L ratio increased, lymphocyte percentage decreased in REC chickens subjected to transport. Transport stress increased heterophil functions both in REC and RCC chickens, but the increase was higher in REC hens than in RCC hens. In conclusion, although environmental enrichment did not neutralize the effect of transport on lymphoid organs, it activated the non-specific immune system, cellular and the humoral branches of the specific immune system by increasing heterophil functions, CD8+ cells and antibody production, respectively. Therefore, environmental enrichment suggested for improving animal welfare may also be beneficial to improve the immune system of birds exposed to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdal Matur
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Akyazi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Evren Eraslan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Ergul Ekiz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Eseceli
- Balikesir University, Bandirma Vocational High School, Bandirma, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Keten
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kemal Metiner
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Deniz Aktaran Bala
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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Fernandes D, Silva I, Nazareno A, Donofre A, Sevegnani K. Reconhecimento de cores de objetos e de alimentos de cromaticidades opostas por pintos de corte. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-7551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar, por meio de testes de preferência, a capacidade de percepção de pintos de corte no reconhecimento de objetos e alimentos de diferentes cores. A pesquisa foi realizada no Brasil e consistiu no condicionamento de 60 pintos de um dia sexados, sendo 30 pintos machos e 30 pintos fêmeas, durante três dias, com esferas azuis e alimento vermelho, cores escolhidas por terem cromaticidades opostas. Após a fase de condicionamento, foi realizado um teste de preferência, no qual os animais eram colocados individualmente no centro de uma arena de teste com quatro opções, sendo elas: alimento vermelho; alimento azul; esferas vermelhas; esferas azuis. Cada ave foi avaliada durante 10 minutos. Foram registrados: o período de latência para a primeira bicada; o número de bicadas; a quantidade de bicadas sequenciais em cada tipo de objeto ou alimento; o tempo total da ave em cada compartimento ocupado e o primeiro compartimento ocupado. De acordo com os resultados, pintos fêmeas são menos inibidas quando em contato com uma nova situação em relação aos machos. Entretanto, os machos foram capazes de estabelecer um padrão de ambiente na fase de condicionamento e optaram pelo compartimento que estava mais próximo daquela situação associando, da maneira correta, a cor azul à esfera e a cor vermelha ao alimento. No geral, entre os tipos de cores de objetos e entre os tipos de cores de alimentos, as aves demoraram menos tempo para a decisão da escolha do alimento e da esfera azul, evidenciando-se maior atração, em um primeiro momento, por objetos ou alimentos dessa cor. Entre as duas cores de esferas, menor período de latência, maior número de interações, bem como maior tempo de permanência no local estiveram relacionados à esfera azul, verificando-se total preferência por esse objeto. Ao avaliar os tipos de cores de alimentos, foi possível observar que as maiores médias relacionadas ao número de bicadas e de bicadas sequenciais ocorreram com o alimento vermelho. Conclui-se, portanto, que as aves reconheceram o alimento vermelho e o objeto azul, sendo a cor azul a de maior atratividade para pintos de corte em relação à vermelha.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - K.B. Sevegnani
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Brasil
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Fernandes D, Silva I, Nazareno A, Donofre A. Farm Animals’s Cognition and the Tests Used on Its Evaluation. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND BIOMETEOROLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.14269/2318-1265/jabb.v3n1p9-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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The influence of providing perches and string on activity levels, fearfulness and leg health in commercial broiler chickens. Animal 2014; 9:660-8. [PMID: 25440236 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731114002821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of providing environmental enrichment in the form of perches and string on the behaviour and welfare of commercial broiler chickens. Houses containing ~23 000 broiler chickens were assigned to one of four treatments in a 2×2 factorial design. Treatments involved two levels of access to perches (P) (present (24/house) '+P' or absent '-P') and two levels of access to string (S) (present (24/house) '+S' or absent '-S'). All houses contained windows, and 30 straw bales were provided from day 10 of the rearing cycle. Treatments were applied in one of four houses on a single farm, and were replicated over four production cycles. Behaviour and leg health were observed in weeks 3 to 5 of the rearing cycle. Production performance and environmental parameters were also measured. There was an interaction between perches and age in the percentage of birds observed lying, with higher percentages of birds observed lying in the +P treatment than in the -P treatment during weeks 4 and 5. There was also a significant interaction between string and age in the percentage of birds observed in locomotion, with higher percentages observed in locomotion in the -S treatment than in the +S treatment during weeks 4 and 5. There was also an interaction between string and age in average gait scores, with lower gait scores in the +S treatment than in the -S treatment during weeks 3 and 5 but not within week 4. Daytime observations showed that perches and strings were used frequently, with one bout of perching occurring approximately every 80 s/perch, and one bout of pecking at string occurring every 78 s/string on average. There was a significant effect of age on use of perches (P<0.001) and string (P<0.001), with perching peaking during week 5 and string pecking peaking during week 3. We conclude that commercial broilers in windowed houses with access to straw bales display an interest in additional enrichment stimuli in the form of perches and string, and therefore that these stimuli have the potential to improve welfare. In addition, provision of string as a pecking device appeared to positively influence walking ability. However, this effect was numerically small, was only shown in certain weeks and was not reflected in the other leg health measure (latency to lie). The results also showed an apparent negative effect of string and perches on the activity levels of birds (recorded away from the immediate vicinity of these enrichments) towards the end of the production cycle. These results emphasise the need for further research into optimum design and layout of enrichment stimuli for modern broilers in windowed houses to ensure that their provision leads to clear welfare benefits.
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Colton S, Fraley G. The effects of environmental enrichment devices on feather picking in commercially housed Pekin ducks. Poult Sci 2014; 93:2143-50. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2014-03885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Hester PY, Garner JP, Enneking SA, Cheng HW, Einstein ME. The effect of perch availability during pullet rearing and egg laying on the behavior of caged White Leghorn hens. Poult Sci 2014; 93:2423-31. [PMID: 25125558 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2014-04038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enriched cages, compared with conventional cages, allow egg laying strains of chickens to meet some behavioral needs, including a high motivation to perch. The objective of this study was to determine if perch availability during rearing affected perch use as adults and if perch presence affected eating and drinking in caged White Leghorn hens. Chickens were assigned to 14 cages each with and without 2 round metal perches from hatch to 16.9 wk of age. At 17 wk of age, pullets were assigned to laying cages consisting of 1 of 4 treatments. Treatment 1 chickens never had access to perches (controls). Treatment 2 chickens only had access to 2 round metal perches during the laying phase (17 to 71 wk of age). Treatment 3 chickens only had access to 2 round perches during the pullet phase (0 to 16.9 wk of age). Treatment 4 chickens had access to the perches during both the pullet and laying phase. Each treatment during the adult phase consisted of 9 cages with 9 birds/cage for a total of 36 cages. Automatic infrared cameras were used to monitor behavior of hens in each cage for a 24-h period at 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44, 49, 54, 59, 64, and 69 wk of age. Behavior was also recorded twice weekly by an observer in the room where the hens were housed during photophase from 25 to 68 wk of age. Behavioral data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures and the MIXED model procedure. A greater proportion of hens without perches as pullets used the rear perch more during both photophase and scotophase than hens with prior pullet perching experience. Eating and drinking activities of caged adult Leghorns were not impaired by their prior experience to perches as pullets or by the presence of perches in laying cages. It is concluded that providing perches in cages to White Leghorns during pullet rearing did not facilitate use of perches as adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Y Hester
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - J P Garner
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - S A Enneking
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - H W Cheng
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - M E Einstein
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
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Sward botanical composition and sward quality affect the foraging behaviour of free-range laying hens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Dávila SG, Campo JL, Gil MG, Prieto MT, Torres O. Effects of auditory and physical enrichment on 3 measurements of fear and stress (tonic immobility duration, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and fluctuating asymmetry) in several breeds of layer chicks. Poult Sci 2011; 90:2459-66. [PMID: 22010229 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of auditory enrichment (by means of classical music) or physical enrichment (by means of hanging colored string bunches and barley grains on the floor) on tonic immobility duration, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in chicks of several layer breeds. In experiment 1, 192 chicks from 8 Spanish breeds and 1 White Leghorn population were reared in cages with or without music auditory enrichment until 8 wk of age. The effect of music auditory enrichment was significant for heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.05). The ratios were higher in chicks reared without music than in those reared with music, suggesting that auditory enrichment from classical music reduces stress in chicks. There were significant differences in morphological trait measurements (relative asymmetry of wing length, leg width, and combined asymmetry; P < 0.05), being greater in chicks reared without music. This result suggests that FA is a good indicator for stress level in chicks, given that it follows the same trend as that found for heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. There was a significant treatment by breed interaction (P < 0.05) for tonic immobility duration, indicating no consistent effect by auditory enrichment on tonic immobility duration across breeds. In experiment 2, 180 chicks from 3 Spanish breeds were housed in pens with or without physical enrichment (colored plastic string bunches and barley grains on the floor) until 6 wk of age. The effect of physical enrichment on tonic immobility duration, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and FA was not significant, indicating no effect on fear and stress in layer chicks. In conclusion, auditory enrichment by means of classical music is a reliable method for reducing stress levels in several breeds of layer chicks. However, music auditory enrichment was not effective in reducing fearfulness in any of the layer breeds. Physical enrichment by means of colored plastic string bunches and floor barley grains does not appear to be an effective method for reducing stress and fear in layer chicks.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Dávila
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain.
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The effects of environmental enrichment in the chick anxiety-depression model. Behav Brain Res 2011; 221:276-81. [PMID: 21402107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2010] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
As a validation step of an animal simulation, the effects of environmental enrichment were tested in the anxiety-depression model, in which socially raised chicks are placed in isolation for a 2h test period. Isolated chicks display an initial high rate of distress vocalizations, constituting the anxiety-like phase, followed by a marked decline and plateau in rates of vocalizations for the remainder of time in isolation, characterizing the depression-like phase. Four separate groups of domestic fowl chicks were group housed under enriched, impoverished (i.e., non-enriched) or a combination of the two housing conditions for six days and tested at 7d posthatch in the aforementioned isolation procedure. Rates of distress vocalizations in the anxiety-like (2-3 min) or depression-like (30-120 min) phases were not affected by housing conditions. However, chicks continuously housed in enriched environments and chicks housed in the enriched environments on days 4-6 displayed a delay in the onset of the depression-like phase. The beneficial effect of environmental enrichment on the depression-like phase is consistent with other stress paradigms and provides another step towards validating the chick anxiety-depression model as a clinical simulation.
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van Zeeland YR, Spruit BM, Rodenburg TB, Riedstra B, van Hierden YM, Buitenhuis B, Korte SM, Lumeij JT. Feather damaging behaviour in parrots: A review with consideration of comparative aspects. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Clara E, Regolin L, Vallortigara G, Rogers LJ. Chicks prefer to peck at insect-like elongated stimuli moving in a direction orthogonal to their longer axis. Anim Cogn 2009; 12:755-65. [PMID: 19466469 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-009-0235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2009] [Revised: 04/10/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous preferences towards possible prey have been little investigated using targets in motion. Preferences of domestic chicks (Gallus gallus) to peck at video-images of stimuli representing live insects moving along their longer body axis (i.e. "forwards") or along the shorter body axis (i.e. "sideways") were investigated. Chicks presented with both types of stimulus displayed a significant preference for pecking at stimuli moving sideways. This preference was already present on day 1 post-hatching, and it strengthened on day 6 for those chicks that had experienced pecking at live insects. Head angles used to fixate the stimuli prior to pecking were also analysed and were consistent (i.e. 30 degrees -35 degrees and 60 degrees -65 degrees ) with those reported for fixation of non-edible targets (larger stimuli at a distance). In a first control experiment the same video-presented stimuli were used but the insect's legs were removed to reduce flickering. In a second control experiment, paper-printed images of the whole insect were used. In both cases, the sideways direction of movement was clearly preferred. Overall, our data show that chicks have a spontaneous preference to peck at video-images resembling live insects moving along their shorter body axis. Sideways movement may constitute a crucial signal attracting chicks' attention and enhancing predatory responses possibly because of stronger stimulation of motion detectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Clara
- Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
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Miller KA, Mench JA. Differential effects of 4 types of environmental enrichment on aggressive pecking, feather pecking, feather loss, food wastage and productivity in Japanese quail. Br Poult Sci 2007; 47:646-58. [PMID: 17190672 DOI: 10.1080/00071660601084333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
1. We examined the effects of 4 types of environmental enrichment (foraging opportunities, structural complexity, sensory stimulation/novelty, and social companionship) on aggressive and feather pecking, feather condition, food wastage, body weight, feed conversion, and egg production in adult Japanese quail. Sex differences were examined where possible. 2. GLM analysis was used to evaluate the effects of enrichment and housing, while test-retest reliability and the stability of measures over 18 d were assessed using partial correlation. 3. Foraging enrichment reduced food wastage. 4. Body weight, feed conversion, and egg production were not affected by enrichment. Rates of aggressive and feather pecking were also not significantly affected, but these behaviours were observed very infrequently in this study. 5. Socially-housed birds had poorer feather condition, lower body weight and less efficient feed conversion than singly-housed birds. Social housing did not affect food wastage. 6. There were not sex differences in feather pecking, feather condition, food wastage, or feed conversion. 7. All measures except feather pecking were reliable over 24 h, but only feather condition and body weight were stable over 18 d. The instability f the behavioural measures over time suggest that enrichment effects may vary with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Miller
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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ISHIWATA T, UETAKE K, ABE N, EGUCHI Y, TANAKA T. Effects of an environmental enrichment using a drum can on behavioral, physiological and productive characteristics in fattening beef cattle. Anim Sci J 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2006.00359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Barbosa Filho JAD, Silva MAN, Silva IJO, Coelho AAD, Savino VJM. Behavior and performance of broiler strains reared under semi-intensive system with shaded areas. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2005. [DOI: 10.1590/s1516-635x2005000400003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Chow A, Hogan JA. The development of feather pecking in Burmese red junglefowl: the influence of early experience with exploratory-rich environments. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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McAdie TM, Keeling LJ, Blokhuis HJ, Jones RB. Reduction in feather pecking and improvement of feather condition with the presentation of a string device to chickens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2004.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hutchinson JMC. Is more choice always desirable? Evidence and arguments from leks, food selection, and environmental enrichment. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2005; 80:73-92. [PMID: 15727039 DOI: 10.1017/s1464793104006554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies on humans show that too much choice can make subjects less likely to choose any item. I consider general adaptive and non-adaptive explanations of why such choice aversion, or its converse, might occur in animals. There are three questions: is more choice always preferred, does it ever lead to less consumption (or a lower probability of consumption), and may it result in worse items being selected ? A preference for choice is one of the main explanations for lek formation and I draw attention to previously unrecognised parallels with models of human shopping behaviour. There is indeed evidence of female preference for larger leks, although much of the observational data are open to other interpretations. Unfortunately nobody has looked for choice aversion where it is most to be expected, in leks larger than normally occur. Evidence that too much choice of males confuses females is strongest in acoustically advertising frogs, but the widespread decrease of mating skew in larger leks might also have this explanation. A model reanalyses data on skew in black grouse Tetrao tetrix and suggests that considering only a random subset of a large lek may increase the chances of selecting the better males: larger leks are more likely to include better males, but these are less likely to be selected. These opposing effects may lead to an optimum lek size, but only with a sufficient decline in choice accuracy with size. With food choice, very few studies have avoided confounding choice with food quality, by manipulating only flavour. The widespread phenomena of stimulus-specific satiety and novelty seeking imply that monotonous diets are aversive, but no studies test whether animals choose sites where they know food diversity to be greater. Operant experiments that demonstrate mild preferences for free choice concern choice about the means to get food rather than the food itself. In some insect species even moderate choice of diet can be deleterious, and studies on search images and the confusion effect may be evidence of this in vertebrates. Environmental enrichment of captive animals often relies on increasing the options available, but it need not be the choice itself that is beneficial. I consider briefly further areas in biology where choice preference or aversion are potentially important.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M C Hutchinson
- Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Hocking PM, Channing CE, Robertson GW, Edmond A, Jones R. Between breed genetic variation for welfare-related behavioural traits in domestic fowl. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2004.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Effects of the addition of sand and string to pens on use of space, activity, tarsal angulations and bone composition in broiler chickens. Anim Welf 2004. [DOI: 10.1017/s0962728600026713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFast-growing broiler chickens use pen-space heterogeneously and have low activity levels, related in part to leg problems. The aim of this study was to test the effects of the addition of string and sand trays to rearing pens on the use of space, levels of activity and leg problems. Broiler chickens were reared in 12 pens (40 birds per pen). Drinkers and feeders only were present in the six control pens (C group), whereas the six other pens were enriched (E group) with two sand trays and string. Behaviour was recorded by scan and focal sampling on days 2-3, 13-14, 23-24 and 34-35. Bodyweight, the occurrence of tarsal deformities and the composition of tibiotarsi were measured on day 37. Chickens from the E group spent more time and stood more often in the area enriched with sand than did the g group birds. ghickens in the E group foraged in the sand throughout the rearing period, and their foraging activities were greater than those of the C group birds. They had little interest in the strings. Locomotor activity during standing bouts was enhanced in the E group on days 2-3 only. Bodyweight at day 37, the occurrence of tarsal deformities and the composition of tibiotarsi were not significantly different between groups. These results indicate that sand could attract chickens into areas that are usually rarely used, which may reduce problems resulting from their heterogeneous distribution. However, the results also indicate the difficulty of stimulating locomotion.
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Feather pecking in poultry: the application of science in a search for practical solutions. Anim Welf 2004. [DOI: 10.1017/s0962728600014627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AbstractTraditional battery cages for laying hens will soon be banned in the EU but the increased risk of feather pecking (FP) hampers the adoption of alternative housing systems. FP can cause injury and lead to cannibalism and the painful death of target birds. Current management practices (beak trimming, low light) have associated problems. In a joint European project we sought alternative solutions. In our study of associated traits, birds from a line showing low (LFP) rather than high feather pecking (HFP) exhibited greater sociality (motivation to be near companions) and a passive ‘coping’ style. High sociality and passivity were also negatively associated with FP in adults. These findings may guide future breeding programs. Trimming hens’ feathers to mimic the results of FP elicited pecking and some cannibalism, even by birds that had previously shown no FP. Social transmission of gentle but not severe FP occurred when LFP and HFP birds were housed together. Gentle pecking could conceivably lead to severe FP. We then examined chickens’ pecking preferences to guide environmental enrichment strategies. Bunches of string elicited substantially greater interest than other stimuli, including feathers, and white or yellow string was the most attractive. The birds’ manipulation of the string resembled preening. Incorporating silver beads or moving the devices reduced pecking. String sustained lengthy interest, reduced FP in HFP birds, and decreased feather damage in caged layers on a commercial farm. String offers effective, affordable and practicable environmental enrichment. The integrated application of appropriate environmental and genetic strategies is likely to attenuate the expression of FP and its harmful consequences.
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Silva MAN, Hellmeister Filho P, Rosário MF, Martins E, Coelho AAD, Savino VJM, Silva IJO, Menten JFM. Adaptação de linhagens de galinhas para corte ao sistema de criação semi-intensivo. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2002. [DOI: 10.1590/s1516-635x2002000300006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aves de quatro linhagens de galinhas para corte foram criadas no sistema semi-intensivo, em 16 boxes, sendo 4 boxes por linhagens, com 4,5 m² de área interna (abrigo) e 35 m² de área de pastejo, com o objetivo de analisar a adaptação dessas linhagens a esse sistema de criação, através de parâmetros ambientais e comportamentais. O período experimental desenvolveu-se entre 35 e 75 dias de idade, durante o qual foram coletados dados relativos à quantidade de aves presentes no pasto, temperatura e umidade relativa nos boxes e no pasto e porcentagem de sombra no pasto. Os parâmetros ambientais monitorados influenciaram o comportamento das aves. A análise bioclimática e a observação do comportamento permitiram diferenciar as linhagens estudadas no que diz respeito à adaptação das linhagens ao sistema semi-intensivo de criação. As aves das linhagens avaliadas mostraram-se adaptadas ao sistema semi-intensivo por demonstrar o comportamento esperado para esse sistema de criação.
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Meehan C, Mench J. Environmental enrichment affects the fear and exploratory responses to novelty of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1591(02)00118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Jones RB, McAdie TM, McCorquodale C, Keeling LJ. Pecking at other birds and at string enrichment devices by adult laying hens. Br Poult Sci 2002; 43:337-43. [PMID: 12195792 DOI: 10.1080/00071660120103602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
1. Bunches of white string (polypropylene twine) are particularly attractive pecking stimuli for both chicks and adult laying hens. Furthermore, these devices can retain the birds' interest over lengthy periods. It has also been demonstrated that birds with trimmed feathers elicit feather pecking. The present study was designed to determine whether string devices would retain their attractiveness in the presence of a competing stimulus: a trimmed hen. 2. Lohmann Brown hens were reared in 20 groups of 5 in floor pens with perches from 17 weeks of age. They were exposed to one of two treatments when they were 23 weeks old. One hen was removed from every pen and the feathers on her rump were trimmed. Immediately before her return two string devices were suspended from a perch in treatment 1 whereas no devices were included in treatment 2. Pecking behaviours were immediately observed for 30 min; this procedure was repeated later that day. The devices remained in the pens used in treatment 1 and these birds were observed again for 15 min after 14 d. 3. The string devices were pecked earlier and more than either the trimmed or untrimmed hens. Furthermore, the devices were still being pecked 2 weeks after their introduction. 4. The virtual absence of severe feather pecking and of aggressive head pecks precluded test of our hypothesis that the devices would divert potentially injurious pecking away from other birds. However, the fact that the birds showed sustained interest in the devices, even in the presence of a competing stimulus, supports our proposal that string may represent a practicable and effective form of environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Jones
- Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Welfare Biology Group, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, Scotland.
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Abstract
1. Previous studies have shown that a bunch of string is a particularly attractive pecking stimulus for chicks and adult laying hens. Because movement is thought to be an important attribute of enrichment objects, this study determined whether occasional movement would affect the attractiveness of this device. 2. In experiment 1 the responses of pair-housed chicks to string were compared when devices in adjacent cages were either linked (so that pecking or pulling at the string in one cage moved the adjoining one) or not (separate). In experiment 2 the devices in half the cages were jigged remotely by the experimenter whereas the others remained static. In both cases, the string devices were introduced into the cages for 10 min on each of 5 consecutive days. 3. No treatment effects were apparent in experiment 1 when pooled data was analysed but comparison of responses on days 1 and 5 revealed that only the chicks presented with non-linked devices showed increased interest with repeated exposure. 4. Chicks given static devices in experiment 2 pecked sooner, more often and longer at them than did those exposed to similar ones that were jigged regularly by the experimenter. Jigged devices attracted slightly more pecking with repeated exposure, which may have reflected familiarity-induced fear-reduction, but chick responses showed no apparent changes from day 2 onwards. Conversely, rather than showing habituation, the chicks pecked progressively more at the static devices with repeated presentation. 5. The present results show that chicks pecked readily at bunches of white string, thus confirming its attractive properties but that static devices were more attractive than those incorporating occasional movement. These and previous findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the development of effective environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Jones
- Welfare Biology Group, Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, Scotland.
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