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Hong GAT, Tobalske BW, van Staaveren N, Leishman EM, Widowski T, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. A wing-assisted incline running exercise regime during rearing increases initial flight velocity during descent in adult white- and brown-feathered laying hens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103375. [PMID: 38198915 PMCID: PMC10792642 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Domestic laying hens rely primarily on their hindlimbs for terrestrial locomotion. Although they perform flapping flight, they appear to use maximal power during descent and thus may lack control for maneuvering and avoiding injuries on landing. This in turn may result in injury in open rearing systems. Wing-assisted incline running (WAIR) requires a bird to use its wings to assist the hindlimbs during climbing of an incline, and training in WAIR may therefore provide a useful method to increase a hen's power reserve and control for flight. We subjected hens to an exercise regimen involving inclines to induce WAIR for 16 wk during rearing. We then measured wing and body kinematics during aerial descent from a 155 cm platform. We hypothesized that birds reared with exercise would be better able to modulate their wing and body kinematics for making slower, more-controlled descent and landing. Brown-feathered birds exhibited greater wing beat frequencies than white-feathered birds, which is consistent with the higher wing loading of brown-feathered birds and WAIR-trained birds exhibited greater initial flight velocities compared to control birds. This may indicate that WAIR training provided an improved capacity to modulate flight velocity and strengthen the leg muscles. Providing incline exercises during rearing may therefore improve welfare for adult laying hens as greater initial flight velocity should reduce the power required for supporting body weight in the air and allow a hen to direct her excess power toward maneuvering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A T Hong
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bret W Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Department Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emily M Leishman
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Nutrition Modelling, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tina Widowski
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Donald R Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
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2
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Hong GAT, Tobalske BW, van Staaveren N, Leishman EM, Widowski TM, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. Reduction of wing area affects estimated stress in the primary flight muscles of chickens. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230817. [PMID: 38034124 PMCID: PMC10685109 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
In flying birds, the pectoralis (PECT) and supracoracoideus (SUPRA) generate most of the power required for flight, while the wing feathers create the aerodynamic forces. However, in domestic laying hens, little is known about the architectural properties of these muscles and the forces the wings produce. As housing space increases for commercial laying hens, understanding these properties is important for assuring safe locomotion. We tested the effects of wing area loss on mass, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), and estimated muscle stress (EMS) of the PECT and SUPRA in white-feathered laying hens. Treatments included Unclipped (N = 18), Half-Clipped with primaries removed (N = 18) and Fully-Clipped with the primaries and secondaries removed (N = 18). The mass and PCSA of the PECT and SUPRA did not vary significantly with treatment. Thus, laying hen muscle anatomy may be relatively resistant to changes in external wing morphology. We observed significant differences in EMS among treatments, as Unclipped birds exhibited the greatest EMS. This suggests that intact wings provide the greatest stimulus of external force for the primary flight muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A. T. Hong
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Bret W. Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Emily M. Leishman
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
- Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Tina M. Widowski
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Donald R. Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, 414N Meridian St, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
| | - Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
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3
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Rentsch AK, Ross E, Harlander A, Niel L, Siegford JM, Widowski TM. The development of laying hen locomotion in 3D space is affected by early environmental complexity and genetic strain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10084. [PMID: 37344513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35956-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult laying hens are increasingly housed in spatially complex systems, e.g., non-cage aviaries, where locomotion between elevated structures can be challenging for these gallinaceous birds. This study assessed the effect of early environmental complexity on spatial skills in two genetic strains. Brown (B) and white (W) feathered birds were raised in: Conventional cages with minimal complexity (Conv) or rearing aviaries with low (Low), intermediate (Mid), or high complexity (High). Birds from each housing treatment were challenged at three different time points in three different, age-appropriate vertical spatial tasks. Whites performed better than brown birds in all tests regardless of rearing environment. In chicks, test performance was predominantly explained by variation between replicates and differences in motivation for test participation. Treatment effects were seen in pubertal birds (pullets), with pullets from aviaries performing better than those from Conv. White High pullets performed better than white Mid or Low, an effect that was not found in browns. Pullets preferred to use a ramp to move downwards, but only when ramps had previously been experienced and when the ramp was not too steep. Overall, early environmental complexity affected spatial skills of laying hen pullets with stronger effects in white than brown feathered birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K Rentsch
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Ross
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lee Niel
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Janice M Siegford
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Tina M Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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4
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van Staaveren N, Tobalske BW, Brost J, Sharma R, Beaufrère H, Elias A, Harlander-Matauschek A. Biomechanics of landing in injured and uninjured chickens and the role of meloxicam. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102794. [PMID: 37307632 PMCID: PMC10276282 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds use their legs and wings when transitioning from aerial to ground locomotion during landing. To improve our understanding of the effects of footpad dermatitis (FPD) and keel bone fracture (KBF) upon landing biomechanics in laying hens, we measured ground-reaction forces generated by hens (n = 37) as they landed on force plates (Bertec Corporation, Columbus, OH) from a 30 cm drop or 170 cm jump in a single-blinded placebo-controlled trial using a cross-over design where birds received an anti-inflammatory (meloxicam, 5 mg/kg body mass) or placebo treatment beforehand. We used generalized linear mixed models to test for effects of health status, treatment and their interaction on landing velocity (m/s), maximum resultant force (N), and impulse (force integrated with respect to time [N s]). Birds with FPD and KBF tended to show divergent alterations to their landing biomechanics when landing from a 30 cm drop, with a higher landing velocity and maximum force in KBF compared to FPD birds, potentially indicative of efforts to either reduce the use of their wings or impacts on inflamed footpads. In contrast, at 170 cm jumps fewer differences between birds of different health statuses were observed likely due to laying hens being poor flyers already at their maximum power output. Our results indicate that orthopedic injuries, apart from being welfare issues on their own, may have subtle influences on bird mobility through altered landing biomechanics that should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bret W Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Jacob Brost
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hugues Beaufrère
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Audrey Elias
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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5
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Garant R, Tobalske BW, Sassi NB, van Staaveren N, Widowski T, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. Wing-feather loss in white-feathered laying hens decreases pectoralis thickness but does not increase risk of keel bone fracture. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220155. [PMID: 35719889 PMCID: PMC9198519 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Feather loss in domestic chickens can occur due to wear and tear, disease or bird-to-bird pecking. Flight feather loss may decrease wing use, cause pectoral muscle loss and adversely impact the keel bone to which these muscles anchor. Feather loss and muscle weakness are hypothesized risk factors for keel bone fractures that are reported in up to 98% of chickens. We used ultrasound to measure changes in pectoral muscle thickness and X-rays to assess keel bone fracture prevalence following symmetric clipping of primary and secondary feathers in white- and brown-feathered birds. Four and six weeks after flight feather clipping, pectoralis thickness decreased by approximately 5%, while lower leg thickness increased by approximately 5% in white-feathered birds. This pectoralis thickness decrease may reflect wing disuse followed by muscle atrophy, while the increased leg thickness may reflect increased bipedal locomotion. The lack of effect on muscle thickness in brown-feathered hens was probably due to their decreased tendency for aerial locomotion. Finally, pectoralis thickness was not associated with keel bone fractures in either white- or brown-feathered birds. This suggests that the white-feathered strain was more sensitive to feather loss. Future prevention strategies should focus on birds most susceptible to muscle loss associated with flight feather damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Garant
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bret W. Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Neila Ben Sassi
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tina Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Donald R. Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, 414N Meridian Street, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
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6
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Herrera-Castillo CM, Geiger M, Núñez-León D, Nagashima H, Gebhardt-Henrich S, Toscano M, Sanchez-Villagra MR. Skeletal variation in bird domestication: limb proportions and sternum in chicken, with comparisons to mallard ducks and Muscovy ducks. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13229. [PMID: 35502208 PMCID: PMC9055999 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13229] [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: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Domestication, including selective breeding, can lead to morphological changes of biomechanical relevance. In birds, limb proportions and sternum characteristics are of great importance and have been studied in the past for their relation with flight, terrestrial locomotion and animal welfare. In this work we studied the effects of domestication and breed formation in limb proportions and sternum characteristics in chicken (Gallus gallus), mallard ducks (Anas plathyrhynchos) and Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). Methods First, we quantified the proportional length of three long bones of the forelimb (humerus, radius, and carpometacarpus) and the hind limb (femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus) in domestic chickens, mallard ducks, and Muscovy ducks and their wild counterparts. For this, we took linear measurements of these bones and compared their proportions in the wild vs. the domestic group in each species. In chicken, these comparisons could also be conducted among different breeds. We then evaluated the proportional differences in the context of static and ontogenetic allometry. Further, we compared discrete sternum characteristics in red jungle fowl and chicken breeds. In total, we examined limb bones of 287 specimens and keel bones of 63 specimens. Results We found a lack of significant change in the proportions of limb bones of chicken and Muscovy duck due to domestication, but significant differences in the case of mallard ducks. Variation of evolvability, allometric scaling, and heterochrony may serve to describe some of the patterns of change we report. Flight capacity loss in mallard ducks resulting from domestication may have a relation with the difference in limb proportions. The lack of variation in proportions that could distinguish domestic from wild forms of chicken and Muscovy ducks may reflect no selection for flight capacity during the domestication process in these groups. In chicken, some of the differences identified in the traits discussed are breed-dependent. The study of the sternum revealed that the condition of crooked keel was not unique to domestic chicken, that some sternal characteristics were more frequent in certain chicken breeds than in others, and that overall there were no keel characteristics that are unique for certain chicken breeds. Despite some similar morphological changes identified across species, this study highlights the lack of universal patterns in domestication and breed formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeleine Geiger
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Núñez-León
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Division of Gross Anatomy and Morphogenesis, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sabine Gebhardt-Henrich
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Toscano
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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7
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Mindus C, van Staaveren N, Fuchs D, Gostner JM, Kjaer JB, Kunze W, Mian MF, Shoveller AK, Forsythe P, Harlander-Matauschek A. Regulatory T Cell Modulation by Lactobacillus rhamnosus Improves Feather Damage in Chickens. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:855261. [PMID: 35478602 PMCID: PMC9036099 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.855261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is currently unclear whether potential probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria could affect behavioral problems in birds. To this end, we assessed whether a supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 can reduce stress-induced severe feather pecking (SFP), feather damage and fearfulness in adult birds kept for egg laying. In parallel, we assessed SFP genotypic and phenotypic-related immune responses and aromatic amino acid status linked to neurotransmitter production. Social stress aggravated plumage damage, while L. rhamnosus treatment improved the birds' feather cover in non-stressed birds, but did not impact fearfulness. Our data demonstrate the significant impact of L. rhamnosus supplementation on the immune system. L. rhamnosus supplementation induced immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and cytotoxic T cells in both the cecal tonsils and the spleen. Birds exhibiting the SFP phenotype possessed lower levels of cecal tonsils regulatory T cells, splenic T helper cells and a lower TRP:(PHE+TYR). Together, these results suggest that bacteria may have beneficial effects on the avian immune response and may be useful therapeutic adjuncts to counteract SFP and plumage damage, thus increasing animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Mindus
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Biocenter, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johanna M. Gostner
- Biocenter, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joergen B. Kjaer
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Celle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kunze
- Brain-Body Institute, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - M. Firoz Mian
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anna K. Shoveller
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Forsythe
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
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8
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Garant R, Tobalske BW, BenSassi N, van Staaveren N, Tulpan D, Widowski T, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. Effects of clipping of flight feathers on resource use in Gallus gallus domesticus. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211561. [PMID: 35316951 PMCID: PMC8889189 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ground-dwelling species of birds, such as domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), experience difficulties sustaining flight due to high wing loading. This limited flight ability may be exacerbated by loss of flight feathers that is prevalent among egg-laying chickens. Despite this, chickens housed in aviary style systems need to use flight to access essential resources stacked in vertical tiers. To understand the impact of flight feather loss on chickens' ability to access elevated resources, we clipped primary and secondary flight feathers for two hen strains (brown-feathered and white-feathered, n = 120), and recorded the time hens spent at elevated resources (feeders, nest-boxes). Results showed that flight feather clipping significantly reduced the percentage of time that hens spent at elevated resources compared to ground resources. When clipping both primary and secondary flight feathers, all hens exhibited greater than or equal to 38% reduction in time spent at elevated resources. When clipping only primary flight feathers, brown-feathered hens saw a greater than 50% reduction in time spent at elevated nest-boxes. Additionally, brown-feathered hens scarcely used the elevated feeder regardless of treatment. Clipping of flight feathers altered the amount of time hens spent at elevated resources, highlighting that distribution and accessibility of resources is an important consideration in commercial housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Garant
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bret W. Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Neila BenSassi
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dan Tulpan
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tina Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Donald R. Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, 414N Meridian St, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
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9
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León BM, Tobalske BW, Sassi NB, Garant R, Powers DR, Harlander-Matauschek A. Domestic egg-laying hens, Gallus gallus domesticus, do not modulate flapping flight performance in response to wing condition. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210196. [PMID: 34350016 PMCID: PMC8316787 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Wild birds modulate wing and whole-body kinematics to adjust their flight patterns and trajectories when wing loading increases flight power requirements. Domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in backyards and farms exhibit feather loss, naturally high wing loading, and limited flight capabilities. Yet, housing chickens in aviaries requires birds to navigate three-dimensional spaces to access resources. To understand the impact of feather loss on laying hens' flight capabilities, we symmetrically clipped the primary and secondary feathers before measuring wing and whole-body kinematics during descent from a 1.5 m platform. We expected birds to compensate for increased wing loading by increasing wingbeat frequency, amplitude and angular velocity. Otherwise, we expected to observe an increase in descent velocity and angle and an increase in vertical acceleration. Feather clipping had a significant effect on descent velocity, descent angle and horizontal acceleration. Half-clipped hens had lower descent velocity and angle than full-clipped hens, and unclipped hens had the highest horizontal acceleration. All hens landed with a velocity two to three times greater than in bird species that are adept fliers. Our results suggest that intact laying hens operate at the maximal power output supported by their anatomy and are at the limit of their ability to control flight trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. León
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Bret W. Tobalske
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Neila Ben Sassi
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Renée Garant
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Donald R. Powers
- Department of Biology, George Fox University, 414 N Meridian Street, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
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