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Jenner BM, Lewis TR. Environmental Conditions and Vehicle Disturbance Influence Stress Behaviors in a Working Harris's Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2024; 27:373-385. [PMID: 37753923 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2023.2253143] [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] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is used for pest control, as their presence can deter wild birds such as gulls. Working Harris's hawk on UK waste sites is permitted in accordance with regulations and legislation. This study investigated the general environment of a waste site compound yard where a single Harris's hawk was flown for pest control. The hawk's behaviors were evaluated in an ethogram, alongside environmental measures, and disturbance levels. Data was analyzed using Generalised Linear Latent Variable Models (GLLVM) to elucidate the effects of disturbance and environment on hawk behaviors. Results suggested cloudy conditions encouraged grooming responses that were normal and relaxed in their nature. Rain, sun and wind conditions increased recognized stress behaviors. Frequency of disturbance by construction vehicles inside the compound increased stress behaviors, such that keepers are recommended to revise welfare conditions. Increased stress behaviors by birds worked in dynamic environments like waste recycling yards could potentially elicit damaging illness such as feather breaking behavior. Reducing stress factors for Harris's hawk in industrial working yards combined with amending husbandry practices will improve welfare for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryony M Jenner
- Department Animal Welfare and Science, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, UK
| | - Todd R Lewis
- Department Geography and Environmental Management, UWE Bristol -Frenchay Campus, Bristol, UK
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Wang Z, Doekes H, Bijma P. Towards genetic improvement of social behaviours in livestock using large-scale sensor data: data simulation and genetic analysis. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:67. [PMID: 37770844 PMCID: PMC10537099 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00840-z] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harmful social behaviours, such as injurious feather pecking in poultry and tail biting in swine, reduce animal welfare and production efficiency. While these behaviours are heritable, selective breeding is still limited due to a lack of individual phenotyping methods for large groups and proper genetic models. In the near future, large-scale longitudinal data on social behaviours will become available, e.g. through computer vision techniques, and appropriate genetic models will be needed to analyse such data. In this paper, we investigated prospects for genetic improvement of social traits recorded in large groups by (1) developing models to simulate and analyse large-scale longitudinal data on social behaviours, and (2) investigating required sample sizes to obtain reasonable accuracies of estimated genetic parameters and breeding values (EBV). RESULTS Latent traits were defined as representing tendencies of individuals to be engaged in social interactions by distinguishing between performer and recipient effects. Animal movement was assumed random and without genetic variation, and performer and recipient interaction effects were assumed constant over time. Based on the literature, observed-scale heritabilities ([Formula: see text]) of performer and recipient effects were both set to 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2, and the genetic correlation ([Formula: see text]) between those effects was set to - 0.5, 0, or 0.5. Using agent-based modelling, we simulated ~ 200,000 interactions for 2000 animals (~ 1000 interactions per animal) with a half-sib family structure. Variance components and breeding values were estimated with a general linear mixed model. The estimated genetic parameters did not differ significantly from the true values. When all individuals and interactions were included in the analysis, the accuracy of EBV was 0.61, 0.70, and 0.76 for [Formula: see text] = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2, respectively (for [Formula: see text]= 0). Including 2000 individuals each with only ~ 100 interactions, already yielded promising accuracies of 0.47, 0.60, and 0.71 for [Formula: see text] = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2, respectively (with [Formula: see text] = 0). Similar results were found with [Formula: see text] of - 0.5 or 0.5. CONCLUSIONS We developed models to simulate and genetically analyse social behaviours for animals that are kept in large groups, anticipating the availability of large-scale longitudinal data in the near future. We obtained promising accuracies of EBV with ~ 100 interactions per individual, which would correspond to a few weeks of recording. Therefore, we conclude that animal breeding can be a promising strategy to improve social behaviours in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoshi Wang
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harmen Doekes
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Piter Bijma
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Schreiter R, Freick M. Flock-level risk factors of litter condition for the occurrence of plumage damage and skin lesions in commercial laying hen farms. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102705. [PMID: 37141809 PMCID: PMC10176254 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plumage damage (PD) as a result of severe feather pecking (SFP) and skin lesions (SL) due to cannibalism (CA) is serious welfare, performance, and economic problems in commercial layer farms. Genetics, nutrition, and housing conditions are central complexes that contribute to the multifactorial causes of these behavioral disorders. Practical recommendations consider the quality of litter as an important criterion for the prevention of SFP, although systematic longitudinal studies providing evidence-based findings are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of litter condition on the occurrence of PD and SL in the field using a longitudinal design. Integument scoring (PD and SL; 7 times), litter scoring (structure, cake formation, litter quality, and litter height; 12 times), and laboratory litter analysis (dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and pH value; 12 times) were performed in 28 laying hen flocks with a median flock size of 12,357 birds, in barn (n = 21) or free-range systems (n = 7), during the first laying period. Binary logistic regression (BLR) models showed the association of housing type and animal age on PD and SL (P < 0.001), and of the hybrid type on PD (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant association with PD and SL was observed for several litter traits. An increase in litter height, DM, and P was associated with lower PD (P ≤ 0.022) and SL (P < 0.001). In contrast, a higher N content of the litter was associated with an increase in SL (P = 0.007). Cake formation (P < 0.001) and a low structure (P = 0.025) of the litter showed an association with higher PD. In conclusion, this study identified caked litter with less structure, low height, and low contents of DM and P as risk factors for behavioral disorders in commercial laying flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schreiter
- 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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Effects of the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) load on the plumage condition in commercial laying hen farms. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277513. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plumage damage (PD) resulting from severe feather pecking (SFP) is a significant problem for animal welfare, performance, and economics in commercial laying hen farms. Genetics, nutrition, and housing conditions are central complexes that contribute to the multifactorial cause of SFP. Practical experience suggests that infestation by the poultry red mite (PRM), which is the most severe ectoparasite of laying hens in cage-free housing systems, may be a risk factor for the occurrence of PD, although evidence-based findings are lacking. The objective of this longitudinal observational field study was to investigate the effects of PRM infestation of commercial laying flocks on the occurrence of PD. Integument scoring (plumage damage and skin lesions) and the quantification of PRM infestation using mite traps were conducted during the laying period of 28 laying flocks, with an average flock size of 12,357 birds in barn (n = 21) or free-range (n = 7) systems. Across all flocks and survey times, the median PRM mass per trap was 0.7 mg (1.-3. quartile: 0.0–19.3 mg/trap), corresponding to a median count of 65.2 mites/trap (1.-3. quartile: 0.0–246.8 mites/trap). Binary logistic regression models revealed an association between PD and skin lesions with hen age, housing system, and hybrid type (p<0.001). The PRM load also affected the plumage condition, where PD increased with increasing PRM infestation (p<0.001). In addition, the PRM load tended to have an effect on skin injuries (p = 0.097). In conclusion, this longitudinal study identified the PRM load in laying hen flocks as a risk factor for PD.
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Patt A, Halle I, Dudde A, Olbrich A, Sieburg-Rockel J, Krause ET. Influence of different dietary fibre contents in the diet on feather pecking, locomotor activity and performance of laying hens. Br Poult Sci 2022; 63:571-580. [PMID: 35543708 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2022.2076212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
1. This trial investigated the effects of three diets with increasing proportions of insoluble dietary fibre (3%, 6% and 9%) but with similar metabolisable energy on behaviour, plumage condition and laying performance of Lohmann Tradition hens.2. At 21 weeks of age, four groups of 20 hens each (= four replicates/treatment) were randomly assigned to one of the three feeding treatments and exclusively fed with their assigned feed until the end of the laying period.3. Severe feather pecking decreased with increasing fibre content (3%: 0.78 pecks/30min/hen, 6%: 0.31, 9%: 0.12; P<0.0001). In contrast, no effect of fibre was seen for gentle feather pecking (P=0.19) and aggressive pecking (P=0.84). The number of free feathers in the littered area increased with increasing fibre content (3%: 0.06 feathers/625cm2/hen, 6%: 0.09, 9%: 0.16; P=0.0074). Over time plumage quality worsened in all hens, but was consistently better with increasing fibre content (fibre content x sampling period; P<0.0001). Locomotor activity was similar across all treatments, except for a slight decrease in hens fed the 3% fibre diet at the end of the experimental period. No effect of fibre content on hens' weight (P=0.75) was detectable. Similarly, performance did not differ between hens fed varying dietary fibre.4. The results supported the assumption that increasing dietary fibre helps to reduce the risk for the occurrence of feather pecking in laying hens, i.e., improve well-being, while having no negative effects on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Patt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dörnbergstr. 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany
| | - Ingrid Halle
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Bundesallee 37, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anissa Dudde
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dörnbergstr. 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany
| | - Andrea Olbrich
- Thünen Institut, Institute of Wood Research, Leuschnerstr. 91, 21031 Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany
| | - Jördis Sieburg-Rockel
- Thünen Institut, Institute of Wood Research, Leuschnerstr. 91, 21031 Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany
| | - E Tobias Krause
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dörnbergstr. 25/27, 29223 Celle, Germany
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The Relationships between Damaging Behaviours and Health in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080986. [PMID: 35454233 PMCID: PMC9029779 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The design of housing systems and genetic selection of laying hens have in the past focused mainly on productivity, excluding issues around the animals’ behavioural needs and welfare. Because of inadequate housing conditions and especially a barren environment, behavioural disorders such as feather and body pecking, as well as cannibalism, occur in the modern layer industry. Since conventional cages for egg production were banned in the European Union in January 2012, alternative systems such as floor, aviary, free-range, and organic systems have become increasingly common and now concern over 50% of hens housed in Europe. Despite the many advantages that come with non-cage systems, the shift to a housing system where laying hens are kept in larger groups and more complex environments has given rise to new challenges related to management, health, and welfare. We have carried out a review showing the close relationships between damaging behaviours and health in modern husbandry systems for laying hens. Abstract Since the ban in January 2012 of conventional cages for egg production in the European Union (Council Directive 1999/74/EC), alternative systems such as floor, aviary, free-range, and organic systems have become increasingly common, reaching 50% of housing for hens in 2019. Despite the many advantages associated with non-cage systems, the shift to a housing system where laying hens are kept in larger groups and more complex environments has given rise to new challenges related to management, health, and welfare. This review examines the close relationships between damaging behaviours and health in modern husbandry systems for laying hens. These new housing conditions increase social interactions between animals. In cases of suboptimal rearing and/or housing and management conditions, damaging behaviour or infectious diseases are likely to spread to the whole flock. Additionally, health issues, and therefore stimulation of the immune system, may lead to the development of damaging behaviours, which in turn may result in impaired body conditions, leading to health and welfare issues. This raises the need to monitor both behaviour and health of laying hens in order to intervene as quickly as possible to preserve both the welfare and health of the animals.
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A Place to Be? Use of Winter Gardens with and without Automatic Enrichment Devices by Laying Hens. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12073650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the abolition of beak trimming in laying hens in Germany, the importance of adequate enrichment material to help reduce feather pecking and cannibalism has grown. Here we tested an automatic enrichment device dosing grain via rough-coated pecking plates (PPs) on an organic farm, comparing its offer in four winter gardens (WGs). Winter garden (WG) 1 served as the control area without an automatic enrichment device, while WGs 2–4 offered different quantities of PPs, with WG 2 offering double the amount of PPs as WGs 3 and 4. The number of laying hens (Lohmann Brown Lite) per m² and close to the enrichment device (one hen‘s body length around) was determined using photo records. The usage behavior of the hens differed in the four WGs and with the animals’ age. Over the whole husbandry period (60 weeks), on average, 1.48 hens/m² were detected in the control area (WG 1), and a mean of 2.27 hens/m² in the enriched WGs. Compared to WG 1, the number of hens per m² was higher in WG 2 (2.43 hens/m²) and WG 3 (2.59 hens/m²) (p < 0.05), but similar in WG 4 (1.79 hens/m²). At the end of the husbandry period, fewer animals (mean of all WGs: 1.43 hens/m²) used the WGs than from beginning to the middle of the laying period (mean of all WGs: 2.05–2.15 hens/m²; p < 0.05). Our data indicate that the automatic enrichment device positively influences the animals’ use of the WG.
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Nikolov S, Kanakov D. Types and clinical presentation of damaging behaviour - feather pecking and cannibalism in birds. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioural disorders, including feather pecking and cannibalism, are a common problem in both domestic and wild birds. The consequences of this behaviour on welfare of birds incur serious economic losses. Pecking behaviour in birds is either normal or injurious. The type of normal pecking behaviour includes non-aggressive feather pecking – allopreening and autopreening. Aggressive feather pecking aimed at maintenance and establishment of hierarchy in the flock is not associated to feathering damage. Injurious pecking causes damage of individual feathers and of feathering as a whole. Two clinical presentations of feather pecking are known in birds. The gentle feather pecking causes minimum damage; it is further divided into normal and stereotyped with bouts; it could however evolve into severe feather pecking manifested with severe pecking, pulling and removal, even consumption of feathers of the victim, which experiences pain. Severe feather pecking results in bleeding from feather follicle, deterioration of plumage and appearance of denuded areas on victim’s body. Prolonged feather pecking leads to tissue damage and consequently, cannibalism. The numerous clinical presentations of the latter include pecking of the back, abdomen, neck and wings. Vent pecking and abdominal pecking incur important losses especially during egg-laying. In young birds, pulling and pecking of toes of legs is encountered. All forms of cannibalistic pecking increase mortality rates in birds. Transition of various pecking types from one into another could be seen, while the difference between gentle, severe feather pecking and cannibalism is not always distinct.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Nikolov
- Department of Internal Non-Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
| | - D. Kanakov
- Department of Internal Non-Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
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Abstract
1. Feather pecking (FP) is said to be a redirection of food-related foraging pecks to feathers. The effects of three foraging enrichments on the pecking behaviours of layer pullets in pens and as hens in cages (Gallus gallus domesticus) were studied.2. Treatments included no added enrichment (Control), addition of a mix of wheat and sorghum grains (Grain), a mix of wheat and sorghum grains with lucerne and oaten chaff (Chaff), and lucerne hay (Hay). In pens, Hay was provided in racks, while Grain and Chaff were scattered on the floor. In cages, all treatments were provided in racks. It was predicted that enrichments that encouraged more pecking activity would be most successful at reducing FP.3. Overall pecking activity was similar between all treatments. The Chaff groups tended to FP less than Grain groups, and Hay groups had the least FP. In cages, both Chaff and Hay groups had significantly less FP than either the Grain or Control groups. FP did not reflect stimulus peck rates. Although Chaff groups pecked at their rack significantly less than either Grain or Hay groups, their FP was on a par with the birds in the Hay groups. Feather quality followed these trends.4. The fact that these results were inconsistent with the original hypothesis led to a proposal for a modified hypothesis. Rather than the appetitive component of food searching motivation being redirected to feathers, it is the appetitive component of exploratory motivation, and the ability to reach the goal to update information about the environment is what feeds back to the motivation which leads to FP. This modified hypothesis is consistent with the results of this and many other studies and with modern concepts of motivation, foraging, exploration and food selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rudkin
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
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Mahmoud UT, Mahmoud MA, Abd-Elkareem M, Ahmed FA, Khalil NSA. Prebiotics reduce feather pecking behavior, and improve trace element profile and redox balance in Mule ducks. J Vet Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Schreiter R, Damme K, Freick M. Relation between Feed Particle Size Distribution and Plumage Condition in Laying Hens on Commercial Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:773. [PMID: 33799522 PMCID: PMC8000953 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study, 103 complete feed samples from laying hen herds affected by plumage damage as an indirect measure for severe feather pecking (affected herds; AH, n = 37) and control herds without plumage damage (control herd; CH, n = 66) of commercial German farms were examined by dry sieve and nutrient analysis. AH showed higher percentages of particles >2.50 mm (mean ± SD, CH: 11.0 ± 8.5%, AH: 24.9 ± 14.3%) and 2.00-2.50 mm (CH: 11.2 ± 5.3%, AH: 15.7 ± 5.7%), but lower proportions of fractions 1.01-1.60 mm (CH: 22.9 ± 4.9%, AH: 17.8 ± 5.7%), 0.51-1.00 mm (CH: 25.5 ± 8.2%, AH: 16.0 ± 6.8%) and ≤0.50 mm (CH: 15.4 ± 5.0%, AH: 11.0 ± 4.8%) (p < 0.001). Diets of AH had a higher geometric mean diameter (GMD) compared to CH (AH: 1470.8 ± 343.9 μm; CH: 1113.3 ± 225.7 μm) (p < 0.001). Contents of crude ash (CH: 130.3 ± 18.8 g/kg, AH: 115.9 ± 24.3 g/kg), lysine (CH: 8.2 ± 1.0 g/kg, AH: 7.7 ± 1.2 g/kg), methionine (CH: 3.4 ± 0.5 g/kg, AH: 3.2 ± 0.6 g/kg) and sodium (CH: 1.7 ± 0.4 g/kg, AH: 1.3 ± 0.4 g/kg) were lower in AH (p ≤ 0.041). In a logistic regression model, animal age (p = 0.041) and GMD (p < 0.001) were significant factors on the occurrence of plumage damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schreiter
- ZAFT e.V. Centre for Applied Research and Technology, D-01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Klaus Damme
- Bavarian State Farms, Research and Education Center for Poultry, D-97318 Kitzingen, Germany;
| | - Markus Freick
- ZAFT e.V. Centre for Applied Research and Technology, D-01069 Dresden, Germany;
- Faculty of Agriculture/Environment/Chemistry, HTW Dresden–University of Applied Sciences, D-01326 Dresden, Germany
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Fouad AM, El-Senousey HK, Ruan D, Wang S, Xia W, Zheng C. Tryptophan in poultry nutrition: Impacts and mechanisms of action. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021; 105:1146-1153. [PMID: 33655568 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have shown that productivity, immune system, antioxidant status, and meat and egg quality can be optimized by dietary supplementation with amino acids that are not usually added to poultry diets. Understanding the effects of these amino acids may encourage feed manufacturers and poultry producers to include them as additives. One of these amino acids is tryptophan (Trp). The importance of Trp is directly related to its role in protein anabolism and indirectly related to its metabolites such as serotonin and melatonin. Thus, Trp could affect the secretion of hormones, development of immune organs, meat and egg production, and meat and egg quality in poultry raised under controlled or stressed conditions. Therefore, this review discusses the main roles of Trp in poultry production and its mode (s) of action in order to help poultry producers decide whether they need to add Trp to poultry diets. Further areas of research are also identified to address information gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mohamed Fouad
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - HebatAllah Kasem El-Senousey
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Dong Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiguang Xia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuntian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (South China) of Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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13
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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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Jongman EC. Rearing conditions of laying hens and welfare during the laying phase. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Conditions during rearing have a large influence on the development of behaviour of the laying hen. The early influence starts even before hatching and the first 2 weeks of life appear to be particularly sensitive for the development of future behaviour. It is recommended that birds are reared in an environment similar to where they are housed during the laying phase. Birds that are destined for multi-tier barns and aviaries benefit from navigating three-dimensional space early in life. There are additional benefits for bone and muscle strength for birds in this environment that may be beneficial later in life. Feather pecking during rearing is highly predictive of severe feather pecking in adult birds. High light intensity during rearing can result in increased feather pecking, so this should be avoided. The presence of litter and pecking strings can also reduce feather pecking. The effect of stocking density during rearing is less clear, although very high densities may increase feather damage due to pecking. Regardless of rearing environment, beak trimming is the most effective preventative treatment for the development of injurious feather pecking.
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Schreiter R, Damme K, Freick M. Edible Environmental Enrichments in Littered Housing Systems: Do Their Effects on Integument Condition Differ Between Commercial Laying Hen Strains? Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E2434. [PMID: 33353146 PMCID: PMC7767138 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of additional enrichment materials (EMs; pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on the occurrence of plumage damage, skin injuries, and toe injuries, with an emphasis on the possible differences between commercial hybrid strains of laying hens. During rearing (weeks 1-18, 16 compartments, 4000 pullets) and laying periods (weeks 21-72, 24 compartments, 2808 hens) in a littered housing system, EMs were permanently provided to the study groups (EXP), while control groups (CON) did not receive additional EM. In a two-factorial study design (two groups with four strains) with 351 hens per variant, the brown egg-laying Lohmann Brown classic (LB) and Bovans Brown (BB) strains as well as the white egg-laying Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic (LSL) and Dekalb White (DW) strains were investigated. Compared to the CON, the EXP showed reduced body mass during rearing (p < 0.001) and reduced albumen consistency in the laying period (p < 0.001). Regarding integument condition, the LSL in the EXP showed more toe injuries than in the CON (p = 0.018). Remarkably, genotype-environment interactions between strains and groups were evident (p < 0.001). In groups with an EM supply, plumage damage decreased in LB (p ≤ 0.033) and LSL (p ≤ 0.005) but increased in BB (p ≤ 0.003). Moreover, there were fewer skin injuries in LSL (p = 0.001) but more in BB (p = 0.001) in groups with access to EM. In view of the diverging effects between strains, future practical recommendations for laying hen husbandry should be strain-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schreiter
- ZAFT e.V. Centre for Applied Research and Technology, D-01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Klaus Damme
- Bavarian State Farms, Research and Education Center for Poultry, D-97318 Kitzingen, Germany;
| | - Markus Freick
- ZAFT e.V. Centre for Applied Research and Technology, D-01069 Dresden, Germany;
- Faculty of Agriculture/Environment/Chemistry, HTW Dresden—University of Applied Sciences, D-01326 Dresden, Germany
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Schreiter R, Damme K, Klunker M, Raoult C, von Borell E, Freick M. Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary-Part 1: integument condition in pullets and laying hens. Poult Sci 2020; 99:5184-5196. [PMID: 33142434 PMCID: PMC7647713 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe feather pecking is a damaging allopecking behavior in pullets and laying hens which was found to be associated with multiple factors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the occurrence of feather pecking could be reduced by additional environmental enrichment materials (EM; pecking stones and hard-pressed alfalfa bales) in a littered housing system. In total 4,000 pullets (2000 Lohmann Brown classic [LB] and 2000 Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic [LSL]) were reared in an aviary system until week 18, and 1,320 remaining laying hens were kept thereafter, from week 19 to 48. During rearing, half of the compartments were permanently supplied with enrichment materials, while the other half did not receive any EM. After transferring to the laying hens' stable, we examined the hens under four treatment variants: V1 - no EM over the entire study period; V2 - rearing period with and laying period without EM; V3 - rearing period without and laying period with EM; V4 - EM over the entire study period. The integument condition (i.e. beak protrusion, beak fissures, plumage condition, skin and toe injuries, and foot pad dermatitis) was scored in weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18 (rearing) and 25, 30, 40, and 48 (laying period). At the end of the study (week 48), lower plumage damage was observed in the variants provided with EM during rearing (V2 and V4) compared to the other two variants (V1 and V3; P < 0.001). Skin injuries were less prevalent in week 40 in hens with access to EM during rearing (V2 and V4) than the other variants (V1 and V3) within LSL (P < 0.001), and in week 48 in the both strains (P < 0.001). The variants with access to EM during the laying period (V3 and V4) showed lesser protrusion of the beak tip in week 48 (P < 0.001). The observed beneficial effects of EM could be attributed to its impact on foraging behavior and beak-tip abrasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schreiter
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Klaus Damme
- Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Teach, Research and Demontration Centre for Poultry and Small Animal Farming, Kitzingen, Germany
| | - Michael Klunker
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Camille Raoult
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eberhard von Borell
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Markus Freick
- ZAFT e.V., Centre for Applied Research and Technology, Dresden, Germany; Faculty Agriculture/Environment/Chemistry, HTW Dresden - University of Applied Sciences, Dresden, Germany
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Terčič D, Pančur M, Jordan D, Zupan Šemrov M. Effects of Dimethyl Anthranilate-Based Repellents on Behavior, Plumage Condition, Egg Quality, and Performance in Laying Hens. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:533. [PMID: 32974401 PMCID: PMC7466561 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00533] [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: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Feather pecking is a behavior that occurs in order to cope with a constrained environment and is a serious problem in the egg production industry. This longitudinal study was conducted under commercial conditions to investigate whether the application of two repellent mixtures, previously suggested as aversive to wild birds, to the plumage of Prelux-R hybrid egg layers is a viable alternative to beak trimming as a solution to discourage feather pecking among laying hens. A total of 180 untrimmed hybrid layers was reared together in a floor pen. At 18 weeks of age they were allocated randomly to three treatments (repellent P, repellent T, control), each consisting of 6 replicated enriched cages with 10 hens in each cage. Hens were evenly sprayed once every 2 weeks for 54 weeks with solution P (dimethyl anthranilate and methyl phenylacetate), solution T (dimethyl anthranilate and geraniol), or distilled water (control). Body weight, plumage condition, behavior, feed intake, and egg quality measurements were taken at five time periods from 26 to 76 weeks of age. Egg production and mortality were recorded daily. The treatments did not affect feather pecking behavior. Hens treated with repellent T tended to perform less cage pecking than the control hens. The use of the repellents did not reduce feather pecking, the plumage was even more significantly damaged in the hens given the repellents compared to the control hens. This suggests the chemicals in the repellents worsened the plumage. No differences in feed intake and daily egg production between treatments were found. Raw and hard-boiled eggs were highly uniform in odor/flavor/taste and no offensive odor absorption related to the chemicals in the repellents was detected. In conclusion, in the present study we did not find any beneficial effect of dimethyl anthranilate-based repellents on feather pecking frequency and plumage/feather condition. Therefore, we do not encourage their use in wider commercial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Terčič
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Herwig E, Classen HL, Walk CL, Bedford M, Schwean-Lardner K. Dietary Inositol Reduces Fearfulness and Avoidance in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110938. [PMID: 31717398 PMCID: PMC6912787 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Brain inositol is known to affect memory, and the incidence of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder in mammals. Phytate, a naturally occurring inositol ester in plants, binds other nutrients, making them unavailable for digestion. The addition of phytase, the enzyme capable of hydrolyzing phytate, to diets increases the release of both inositol and nutrients for absorption in the chicken digestive tract. In this study, we assessed how dietary phytase or pure inositol affected laying hen behaviour, fearfulness, aggression, and stress levels. To increase the probability of seeing effects, hens were not beak treated and were fed two balanced protein levels differing in digestible amino acid sufficiency. Inositol did not affect stress levels, as measured by heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, or the number of hen comb or skin lesions. However, regardless of the source, pure inositol or phytase derived inositol reduced the number of feathers in the vent area, suggesting an increase in feather pecking. Pure inositol reduced fearfulness in laying hens, but phytase-derived inositol did not. Abstract Myo-inositol (inositol) affects memory, and the incidence of depression and anxiety in mammals. An experiment was designed to determine if pure inositol (0.16%), or high levels of phytase (3000 FTU/kg) affect the behaviour of fully beaked Lohmann LSL lite hens fed amino acid sufficient (19% crude protein (CP)) and deficient diets (16% CP), from 19 to 59 weeks of age. The data collected included live-scan behaviour observations and novel object (NO) tests (both at 1, 10 and 40 weeks of the trial); heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratios (week 1 and week 40 of the trial); end of trial feather cover, and comb and skin lesions; and daily mortality. Reducing CP increased sitting by 2.5%. Inositol, but not phytase, reduced the latency to peck at the NO by 300 sec. Inositol reduced vent feather cover by 12% and tended to increase mortality by 13%. No effects on H/L ratio, and comb or skin lesions were found. In conclusion, regardless of the source, inositol reduced vent feather cover, while it tended to increase mortality. Only pure inositol reduced fearfulness in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Herwig
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Henry L. Classen
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | | | | | - Karen Schwean-Lardner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
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19
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Rearing factors that influence the propensity for injurious feather pecking in laying hens. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s004393390600119x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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20
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The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: identifying the underlying principles. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0043933913000354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Coton J, Guinebretière M, Guesdon V, Chiron G, Mindus C, Laravoire A, Pauthier G, Balaine L, Descamps M, Bignon L, Huneau-Salaün A, Michel V. Feather pecking in laying hens housed in free-range or furnished-cage systems on French farms. Br Poult Sci 2019; 60:617-627. [PMID: 31267768 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2019.1639137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
1. Beak trimming is currently used in France to avoid the negative consequences of severe feather pecking (SFP). However, this practice is controversial in terms of animal welfare, and forbidden in some European countries.2. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of SFP in French laying hen farms, to describe how farmers manage this behavioural disorder and to better understand the risk factors involved.3. A study was carried out from April 2015 to June 2016. Visits were paid to 79 flocks kept in furnished cages (FC) and 80 flocks in a free-range (FR) system. All the hens had trimmed beaks and were genotypically brown. The information collected included feather cover, skin damage, beak condition, farm and poultry house characteristics, livestock performance and management.4. The prevalence of SFP in FC flocks was estimated at 32.9% (IC = 95%, [22.5; 43.3]) and the prevalence of cannibalism as 2.5% (IC = 95%, [0.7; 8.8]) at 70 weeks of age. The prevalence of SFP in FR flocks was estimated to be 23.8% (IC = 95%, [14.5; 31.1]) and the prevalence of cannibalism was 8.8% (IC = 95%, [4.3; 17.0]) at 61 weeks of age.5. In FC flocks, SFP was associated with the combination of genotype, type and length of perches, cage area per hen, type of lighting, number of hens per cage and farm location. In FR flocks, feather cover was associated with use of the outdoor run, lighting programme, genotype, farm location and date of house construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Coton
- Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Zoopole Beaucemaine, ANSES, Ploufragan, France
| | - M Guinebretière
- Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Zoopole Beaucemaine, ANSES, Ploufragan, France
| | | | | | - C Mindus
- Centre INRA de Tours, ITAVI, Nouzilly, France
| | - A Laravoire
- Chambre Régionale d'Agriculture des Pays de la Loire, Angers Cedex 02, France
| | - G Pauthier
- Chambre Régionale d'Agriculture des Pays de la Loire, Angers Cedex 02, France
| | - L Balaine
- Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Zoopole Beaucemaine, ANSES, Ploufragan, France
| | | | - L Bignon
- Centre INRA de Tours, ITAVI, Nouzilly, France
| | - A Huneau-Salaün
- Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Zoopole Beaucemaine, ANSES, Ploufragan, France
| | - V Michel
- Laboratoire de Niort, ANSES, Niort cedex, France
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22
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Kumar D, Raginski C, Schwean-Lardner K, Classen H. Assessing the response of hen weight, body composition, feather score, egg quality, and level of excreta nitrogen content to digestible balanced protein intake of laying hens. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2017-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ideally balanced dietary protein is critical for laying hen egg production and feed efficiency, but also affects other important characteristics. This research was designed to study the nonegg production and feed intake response of Lohmann-LSL Lite hens to 550, 625, 700, 775, and 850 mg d−1 of amino acid balanced digestible lysine (Dlys) from 27 to 66 wk of age. Data collection included hen weight (HW), feather scoring, tissue weights, egg specific gravity, egg component weights, and excreta nitrogen (N) content. The experiment was a completely randomized design and level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Hen weight (quadratic, Q), pectoralis muscle (absolute, % – Q), and abdominal fat (absolute – linear, L; % – Q) increased with increasing Dlys intake. Although gastrointestinal segment weights and lengths were affected by Dlys intake, interpretation of results was confounded by other aspects of diet composition. Hen feather score (L) and excreta N content (Q) increased, and egg shell quality (L) decreased with increasing Dlys intake. Absolute egg component weights increased with Dlys intake, but effects on proportional weights were Q and relatively minor. In conclusion, balanced Dlys intake affected a variety of practical nonproduction characteristics in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Kumar
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - C. Raginski
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - K. Schwean-Lardner
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - H.L. Classen
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
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Are practice recommendations for the prevention of feather pecking in laying hens in non-cage systems in line with the results of experimental and epidemiological studies? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Zepp M, Louton H, Erhard M, Schmidt P, Helmer F, Schwarzer A. The influence of stocking density and enrichment on the occurrence of feather pecking and aggressive pecking behavior in laying hen chicks. J Vet Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Brantsæter M, Nordgreen J, Hansen TB, Muri K, Nødtvedt A, Moe RO, Janczak AM. Problem behaviors in adult laying hens – identifying risk factors during rearing and egg production. Poult Sci 2018; 97:2-16. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pex276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Liu X, Xia J, Pang H, Yue G. Who eats whom, when and why? Juvenile cannibalism in fish Asian seabass. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Brunberg EI, Rodenburg TB, Rydhmer L, Kjaer JB, Jensen P, Keeling LJ. Omnivores Going Astray: A Review and New Synthesis of Abnormal Behavior in Pigs and Laying Hens. Front Vet Sci 2016; 3:57. [PMID: 27500137 PMCID: PMC4956668 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pigs and poultry are by far the most omnivorous of the domesticated farm animals and it is in their nature to be highly explorative. In the barren production environments, this motivation to explore can be expressed as abnormal oral manipulation directed toward pen mates. Tail biting (TB) in pigs and feather pecking (FP) in laying hens are examples of unwanted behaviors that are detrimental to the welfare of the animals. The aim of this review is to draw these two seemingly similar abnormalities together in a common framework, in order to seek underlying mechanisms and principles. Both TB and FP are affected by the physical and social environment, but not all individuals in a group express these behaviors and individual genetic and neurobiological characteristics play an important role. By synthesizing what is known about environmental and individual influences, we suggest a novel possible mechanism, common for pigs and poultry, involving the brain-gut-microbiota axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma I. Brunberg
- NORSØK – Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture, Tingvoll, Norway
- NIBIO – Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, Tingvoll, Norway
| | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Lotta Rydhmer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joergen B. Kjaer
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Celle, Germany
| | - Per Jensen
- AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Linda J. Keeling
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
The present work is aimed at evaluating the behaviour of Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals reared in semi-covered stables and fed two isoenergetic total mixed rations with different dietary protein levels (13.2% and 10.6% of CP on dry matter). The study was prompted by the restrictions for nitrate emissions in farms of the European Nitrate Directive. One suggested solution is to reduce dietary protein while maintaining normal performance and welfare, but there is a lack of literature in studies of horses. The behaviours of 20 foals of 437±60 kg of BW, aged 379±37 days and stabled in four pens by sex (S) and diet (D) were video recorded and analysed to build a suitable ethogram including 18 behaviours in six categories: ingestion, resting, maintenance, movement, social activities, other. The percentage of the daily time spent in each behavioural category and single behaviours was analysed via a single traits GLM including S, D and their interaction. Daily activity was consistent with existing literature: foals spent about 33% of the day in ingestion activities and 41% in resting, whereas social interactions constituted 8% of the time and individual maintenance <2%. Concerning diet, foals fed high protein spent more time in movement (19.62±0.73% of day v. 10.45±0.73% in low-protein (LP) foals; P⩽0.001), whereas the LP group increased resting (43.42±1.12% v. 38.02±1.12%; P⩽0.001). No stereotypies were found, and daily activity followed the typical values for draught breeds for foals in both dietary groups, a result that suggests the maintenance of well-being after dietary protein reduction. This result, together with the findings of a companion study showing no changes in growth performances of foals, showed that a reduction of CP in foal diet is reconcilable with the maintenance of performance and welfare.
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van Krimpen M, Leenstra F, Maurer V, Bestman M. How to fulfill EU requirements to feed organic laying hens 100% organic ingredients. J APPL POULTRY RES 2016. [DOI: 10.3382/japr/pfv048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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31
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Assessing Farm Animal Welfare from a Nutritional Perspective. Anim Welf 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27356-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Grams V, Wellmann R, Preuß S, Grashorn MA, Kjaer JB, Bessei W, Bennewitz J. Genetic parameters and signatures of selection in two divergent laying hen lines selected for feather pecking behaviour. Genet Sel Evol 2015; 47:77. [PMID: 26419343 PMCID: PMC4589119 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-015-0154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feather pecking (FP) in laying hens is a well-known and multi-factorial behaviour with a genetic background. In a selection experiment, two lines were developed for 11 generations for high (HFP) and low (LFP) feather pecking, respectively. Starting with the second generation of selection, there was a constant difference in mean number of FP bouts between both lines. We used the data from this experiment to perform a quantitative genetic analysis and to map selection signatures. Methods Pedigree and phenotypic data were available for the last six generations of both lines. Univariate quantitative genetic analyses were conducted using mixed linear and generalized mixed linear models assuming a Poisson distribution. Selection signatures were mapped using 33,228 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped on 41 HFP and 34 LFP individuals of generation 11. For each SNP, we estimated Wright’s fixation index (FST). We tested the null hypothesis that FST is driven purely by genetic drift against the alternative hypothesis that it is driven by genetic drift and selection. Results The mixed linear model failed to analyze the LFP data because of the large number of 0s in the observation vector. The Poisson model fitted the data well and revealed a small but continuous genetic trend in both lines. Most of the 17 genome-wide significant SNPs were located on chromosomes 3 and 4. Thirteen clusters with at least two significant SNPs within an interval of 3 Mb maximum were identified. Two clusters were mapped on chromosomes 3, 4, 8 and 19. Of the 17 genome-wide significant SNPs, 12 were located within the identified clusters. This indicates a non-random distribution of significant SNPs and points to the presence of selection sweeps. Conclusions Data on FP should be analysed using generalised linear mixed models assuming a Poisson distribution, especially if the number of FP bouts is small and the distribution is heavily peaked at 0. The FST-based approach was suitable to map selection signatures that need to be confirmed by linkage or association mapping. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-015-0154-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Grams
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Robin Wellmann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Siegfried Preuß
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Michael A Grashorn
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Jörgen B Kjaer
- Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Doernbergstrasse 25-27, 29223, Celle, Germany.
| | - Werner Bessei
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Daigle CL, Rodenburg TB, Bolhuis JE, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. Individual Consistency of Feather Pecking Behavior in Laying Hens: Once a Feather Pecker Always a Feather Pecker? Front Vet Sci 2015; 2:6. [PMID: 26664935 PMCID: PMC4672280 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The pecking behavior [severe feather, gentle feather, and aggressive pecks (AP)] of individual White Shaver non-cage laying hens (n = 300) was examined at 21, 24, 27, 32, and 37 weeks. Hens were housed in 30 groups of 10 hens each and on 3 cm litter with access to a feeder, perch, and two nest boxes. The number of severe feather pecks given (SFPG) and received (SFPR) was used to categorize hens as feather peckers (P), victims (V), neutrals (N), or feather pecker-victims (PV) at each age. Hens categorized as PV exhibited pecking behaviors similar to P and received pecks similar to V. SFP given were correlated with APs given, but not with gentle feather pecks (GFP) given throughout the study. State-transition plot maps illustrated that 22.5% of P remained P, while 44% of PV remained PV throughout the duration of the study. Lifetime behavioral categories identified hens as a consistent feather pecker (5%), consistent neutral (3.9%), consistent victim (7.9%), consistent feather pecker-victim (29.4%), or inconsistent (53.8%) in their behavioral patterns throughout their life. Consistent feather peckers performed more SFP than hens of other categories, and consistent neutral hens received fewer GFP than consistent feather PV. No differences in corticosterone or whole blood serotonin levels were observed among the categories. Approximately, half of the population was classified as a feather pecker at least once during the study, while the remainder was never categorized as a feather pecker. Therefore, even if the development and cause of feather pecking may be multifactorial, once the behavior has been developed, some hens may persist in feather pecking. However, as some hens were observed to never receive or perform SFP, emphasis should be made to select for these hens in future breeding practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L. Daigle
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Janice C. Swanson
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Janice M. Siegford
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Brinker T, Bijma P, Visscher J, Rodenburg TB, Ellen ED. Plumage condition in laying hens: genetic parameters for direct and indirect effects in two purebred layer lines. Genet Sel Evol 2014; 46:33. [PMID: 24885199 PMCID: PMC4073196 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9686-46-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feather pecking is a major welfare issue in laying hen industry that leads to mortality. Due to a ban on conventional cages in the EU and on beak trimming in some countries of the EU, feather pecking will become an even bigger problem. Its severity depends both on the victim receiving pecking and on its group mates inflicting pecking (indirect effects), which together determine plumage condition of the victim. Plumage condition may depend, therefore, on both the direct genetic effect of an individual itself and on the indirect genetic effects of its group mates. Here, we present estimated genetic parameters for direct and indirect effects on plumage condition of different body regions in two purebred layer lines, and estimates of genetic correlations between body regions. METHODS Feather condition scores (FCS) were recorded at 40 weeks of age for neck, back, rump and belly and these four scores were added-up into a total FCS. A classical animal model and a direct-indirect effects model were used to estimate genetic parameters for FCS. In addition, a bivariate model with mortality (0/1) was used to account for mortality before recording FCS. Due to mortality during the first 23 weeks of laying, 5363 (for W1) and 5089 (for WB) FCS records were available. RESULTS Total heritable variance for FCS ranged from 1.5% to 9.8% and from 9.8% to 53.6% when estimated respectively with the classical animal and the direct-indirect effects model. The direct-indirect effects model had a significantly higher likelihood. In both lines, 70% to 94% of the estimated total heritable variation in FCS was due to indirect effects. Using bivariate analysis of FCS and mortality did not affect estimates of genetic parameters. Genetic correlations were high between adjacent regions for FCS on neck, back, and rump but moderate to low for belly with other regions. CONCLUSION Our results show that 70% to 94% of the heritable variation in FCS relates to indirect effects, indicating that methods of genetic selection that include indirect genetic effects offer perspectives to improve plumage condition in laying hens. This, in turn could reduce a major welfare problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Brinker
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Piter Bijma
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Visscher
- Institut de Sélection Animale B.V., Hendrix Genetics Company, P.O. Box 114, 5830 AC, Boxmeer, The Netherlands
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Esther D Ellen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Morrissey KLH, Widowski T, Leeson S, Sandilands V, Arnone A, Torrey S. The effect of dietary alterations during rearing on feather condition in broiler breeder females. Poult Sci 2014; 93:1636-43. [PMID: 24864283 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2013-03822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In commercial production, broiler breeders are severely feed restricted to maintain healthy BW. This restriction can induce stereotypic behavior, including feather pecking, which has negative welfare implications for both the victim and performer. It has been suggested that the problem may be symptomatic of chronic hunger or the frustration of feeding motivation. In this study, we determined whether feather condition, as an indirect measure of feather pecking, could be improved via dietary manipulation. Six dietary treatments were tested, each with 5 replicate pens of 9 to 12 birds. Control diets (C) were fed on a daily or skip-a-day (SAD) basis. Alternative diets included soybean hulls as a bulking ingredient and calcium propionate (CaP) as an appetite suppressant of either a feed grade (F) or purified (P) quality. Both alternative diets were fed on either a daily or SAD basis. Five or 6 birds were randomly chosen from each pen and feather scored at 10, 14, 20, 26, and 36 wk of age. Six body parts (neck, back, wings, legs, vent area, tail) were given a score from 0 to 5 (0 = no feather damage, and 5 ≥ 50% feather loss with tissue damage). Scores were summed for each bird and averaged for each pen. Data were analyzed with room and feeding frequency as main factors and diet as the subfactor with repeated measures. There was an interaction between diet and time (P < 0.01) with the feather condition of the C birds worsening more quickly in comparison with the F and P birds. There was an interaction between feeding frequency and time (P = 0.015), with SAD-fed birds scoring better than daily-fed birds at 20, 26, and 36 wk. This interaction could indicate that SAD feeding increased satiety after the birds became accustomed to the schedule. Because feather condition was better with the alternative diets, this may indicate a reduction in stereotyped feather pecking with these diets. This suggests that the alternative diets increase satiety compared with the control diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L H Morrissey
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada Avian Science Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College, Ayr KA6 5HW, United Kingdom
| | - T Widowski
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - S Leeson
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - V Sandilands
- Avian Science Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College, Ayr KA6 5HW, United Kingdom
| | - A Arnone
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5C9, Canada
| | - S Torrey
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, Ontario N1G 5C9, Canada
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Effects of growth pattern and dietary protein level during rearing on feed intake, eating time, eating rate, behavior, plasma corticosterone concentration, and feather cover in broiler breeder females during the rearing and laying period. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Kops MS, de Haas EN, Rodenburg TB, Ellen ED, Korte-Bouws GA, Olivier B, Güntürkün O, Korte SM, Bolhuis JE. Selection for low mortality in laying hens affects catecholamine levels in the arcopallium, a brain area involved in fear and motor regulation. Behav Brain Res 2013; 257:54-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Qaisrani SN, van Krimpen MM, Kwakkel RP. Effects of dietary dilution source and dilution level on feather damage, performance, behavior, and litter condition in pullets. Poult Sci 2013; 92:591-602. [PMID: 23436509 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2012-02378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary dilution sources and levels on feather damage, performance, feeding behavior, and litter condition in rearing pullets. It was hypothesized that dietary dilution increases feeding-related behavior and improves feather condition, particularly if insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides are used as the dilution source. In total, 864 Lohmann Brown 1-d-old non-beak-trimmed pullets were used until 18 wk of age. Four dietary treatments, a control diet without any dilution (R_0%), 7.5% diluted diet with sunflower seed extract/oat hulls (R_7.5%), 15% diluted diet with sunflower seed extract (R_15%_S), and 15% diluted diet with oat hulls (R_15%_O), with 6 replicates (1 replicate is a pen with 36 pullets) per treatment were used. On 4-wk intervals, behavioral parameters, including eating time, feather pecking, feather condition, and general behavior were evaluated. Pullets fed the control diet showed increased feather, comb, and wire pecking compared with pullets fed diluted diets. The level of feather damage decreased with increasing dietary dilution level. Pullets receiving R_15%_S and R_15%_O showed more feeding-related behavior than the pullets on R_7.5% and R_0%. Oat hulls were more effective in preventing feather damage than sunflower seed extract. Pullets did not fully compensate their feed intake if fed a dietary dilution, resulting in a proportionally reduced available ME intake. The R_15%_O pullets had 2.9% lower average BW gain compared with those fed R_0%. Average eating duration increased by 12.8, 33.2, and 42.1% in R_7.5%, R_15%_S, and R_15%_O fed pullets, respectively, compared with R_0%, whereas eating rate [feed intake (g)/pullet per eating min] was decreased in R_15%_S and R_15%_O pullets. Relative weights of empty gizzards were 3.95, 10.30, and 62.72% greater in R_7.5%, R_15%_S, and R_15%_O pullets compared with pullets fed R_0%. It was concluded that dietary dilution affected time budgets of the pullets, as shown by more feeding-related behavior, resulting in less feather pecking behavior. Based on our results, application of this feeding strategy could improve production and welfare in pullets.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Qaisrani
- Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Meyer B, Bessei W, Bessei AW, Vahjen W, Zentek J, Harlander-Matauschek A. Dietary inclusion of feathers affects intestinal microbiota and microbial metabolites in growing Leghorn-type chickens. Poult Sci 2012; 91:1506-13. [PMID: 22700493 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Feather pecking in laying hens is a serious behavioral problem that is often associated with feather eating. The intake of feathers may influence the gut microbiota and its metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 2 different diets, with or without 5% ground feathers, on the gut microbiota and the resulting microbial fermentation products and to identify keratin-degrading bacteria in chicken digesta. One-day-old Lohmann-Selected Leghorn chicks were divided into 3 feeding groups: group A (control), B (5% ground feathers in the diet), and C, in which the control diet was fed until wk 12 and then switched to the 5% feather diet to study the effect of time of first feather ingestion. The gut microbiota was analyzed by cultivation and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of ileum and cecum digesta. Short-chain fatty acids, ammonia, and lactate concentrations were measured as microbial metabolites. The concentration of keratinolytic bacteria increased after feather ingestion in the ileum (P < 0.001) and cecum (P = 0.033). Bacterial species that hydrolyzed keratin were identified as Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus reuteri-like species (97% sequence homology), and Lactobacillus salivarius-like species (97% sequence homology). Molecular analysis of cecal DNA extracts showed that the feather diet lowered the bacterial diversity indicated by a reduced richness (P < 0.001) and shannon (P = 0.012) index. The pattern of microbial metabolites indicated some changes, especially in the cecum. This study showed that feather intake induced an adaptation of the intestinal microbiota in chickens. It remains unclear to what extent the changed metabolism of the microbiota reflects the feather intake and could have an effect on the behavior of the hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Meyer
- Institut of Animal Nutrition, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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40
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Kriegseis I, Bessei W, Meyer B, Zentek J, Würbel H, Harlander-Matauschek A. Feather-pecking response of laying hens to feather and cellulose-based rations fed during rearing. Poult Sci 2012; 91:1514-21. [PMID: 22700494 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies in laying hens have shown that feather peckers eat more feathers than nonpeckers. We hypothesized that food pellets containing feathers would decrease the birds' appetite for feathers and thereby also decrease feather pecking. To separate the effect of feathers from that of insoluble fiber per se, additional control groups were fed pellets containing similar amounts of cellulose. Sixty (experiment 1) and 180 (experiment 2) 1-d-old Lohmann-Selected Leghorn birds were divided into 12 groups of 5 (experiment 1) and 15 (experiment 2) birds, respectively, and kept on slatted floors. During the rearing period, 4 groups each had ad libitum access to either a commercial pelleted diet, a pelleted diet containing 5% (experiment 1) or 10% (experiment 2) of chopped feathers, respectively, or a pelleted diet containing 5% (experiment 1) or 10% (experiment 2) of cellulose, respectively. In the consecutive laying period, all groups received a commercial pelleted diet. In experiment 1, feather pecking was recorded weekly from wk 5 to wk 16. In the laying period, observations were made in wk 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 30. In experiment 2, feather pecking was recorded weekly from wk 5 to 11, in wk 16 to wk 18, and in wk 20 and 21. At the end of the rearing period, plumage condition per individual hen was scored. Scores from 1 (denuded) to 4 (intact) were given for each of 6 body parts. The addition of 10% of feathers to the diet reduced the number of severe feather-pecking bouts (P < 0.0129) and improved plumage condition of the back area (P < 0.001) significantly compared with control diets. The relationship between feather pecking/eating and the gastrointestinal consequences thereof, which alter feather pecking-behavior, are unclear. Understanding this relationship might be crucial for understanding the causation of feather pecking in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Kriegseis
- University of Hohenheim, Poultry Science, Stuttgart, Germany
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Van Krimpen M, Kwakkel R, Van Der Peet-Schwering C, Den Hartog L, Verstegen M. Effects of dietary energy concentration, nonstarch polysaccharide concentration, and particle sizes of nonstarch polysaccharides on digesta mean retention time and gut development in laying hens. Br Poult Sci 2011; 52:730-41. [DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2011.638620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Proportion of insoluble fibre in the diet affects behaviour and hunger in broiler breeders growing at similar rates. Animal 2011; 5:1247-58. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731111000218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Faruk MU, Bouvarel I, Même N, Roffidal L, Tukur H, Nys Y, Lescoat P. Adaptation of wheat and protein-mineral concentrate intakes by individual hens fedad libitumin sequential or in loose-mix systems. Br Poult Sci 2010; 51:811-20. [DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2010.532772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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45
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The influence of sequential feeding on behaviour, feed intake and feather condition in laying hens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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46
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Umar Faruk M, Bouvarel I, Même N, Rideau N, Roffidal L, Tukur H, Bastianelli D, Nys Y, Lescoat P. Sequential feeding using whole wheat and a separate protein-mineral concentrate improved feed efficiency in laying hens. Poult Sci 2010; 89:785-96. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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47
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Maternal care and selection for low mortality affect post-stress corticosterone and peripheral serotonin in laying hens. Physiol Behav 2009; 98:519-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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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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Bestman M, Koene P, Wagenaar JP. Influence of farm factors on the occurrence of feather pecking in organic reared hens and their predictability for feather pecking in the laying period. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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50
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van Krimpen MM, Kwakkel RP, van der Peet-Schwering CMC, den Hartog LA, Verstegen MWA. Effects of nutrient dilution and nonstarch polysaccharide concentration in rearing and laying diets on eating behavior and feather damage of rearing and laying hens. Poult Sci 2009; 88:759-73. [PMID: 19276419 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2008-00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An experiment was conducted with 768 non-cage-housed ISA Brown pullets, of which 576 hens were followed during the laying period, to investigate the separate effects of dietary energy dilution and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) concentration (oat hulls as NSP source) on eating behavior and feather damage. Day-old pullets were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments according to a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (3 dilution and 2 NSP levels), with 8 replicates (pens) per treatment. At 17 wk of age, pens with hens were allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments according to a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement (4 dilution and 2 NSP levels), with 6 replicates per treatment. Compared with 0% dilution level, feed intake of laying hens of 10, 15, and 20% dilution levels increased by 8.4% (9.5 g/hen per d), 16.5% (18.1 g/hen per d), and 20.9% (23.6 g/hen per d), respectively. The ME(n) intake was similar for all dilution levels. Hens fed standard-NSP laying diets had similar insoluble NSP intake for all dilution levels (9.3 g/hen per d). Insoluble NSP intake of hens fed high-NSP laying diets increased from 15.6 g/hen per day (0% dilution) to 18.9 g/hen per day (20% dilution). Providing high- vs. standard-NSP layer diet decreased relative proventriculus contents (1.1 vs. 0.3 g/kg of BW) and increased empty gizzard weight (14.3 vs. 24.4 g/kg of BW). Hens that were fed standard-NSP diets had more feather damage compared with hens fed high-NSP diets (0.58 vs. 0.30 arbitrary units). Increasing the insoluble NSP intake resulted in decreased proventricular weight and increased gizzard weight and its contents, which are indicators of improved functioning of the gut, thereby linearly reducing feather damage. Providing diluted rearing diets increased feed intake from the first weeks of life onwards. It was hypothesized that pullets were increasingly "imprinted" on feed as pecking substrate if dilution level increased. This may decrease feather pecking and could explain the improved feather condition at 49 wk of age when 15% diluted rearing diet was fed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M van Krimpen
- Animal Production, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen UR, PO Box 65, NL-8200 AB Lelystad, the Netherlands.
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