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Locomotion has a major effect on production and animal welfare as it relates to feed and water acquisition, feed utilization, carcass quality, health, and physical vigor. The locomotor abilities of the broiler are also important considerations in pen design and placement of feed and water dispensers. To study the locomotion of broiler chickens and the effect stocking density has on locomotion, eight groups of broiler chickens were observed in an experimental floor pen (1.2 by 1.7 m). A Videomex V Image Motion Computer was used to determine the distance traveled and the frame-by-frame (30 frames per s) location of a focal bird. Four densities (660, 790, 990, and 1320 cm2 per bird) were tested, one on each day of the 4-day recording period for each group of birds. Broiler chickens were active throughout the day and traveled an average distance of 8.8 m per h or 212 m per day. Increasing housing density reduced the distance traveled (10, 8.8, 8.5, and 8.1 m per h for 1,320, 990, 790, and 660 cm2 per bird, respectively) but did not affect the average number of visits to the feeders (4 per h) and water cups (2 per h). The focal birds used the total space provided during the day, indicating that they were not consistently socially restricted to certain areas of the pen.

The onset of ovarian function and occurrence of estms were monitored in two groups of Holstein cows over the first 90 days postpartum. Group 1 consisted of 36 animals housed in a free stall area and observed continuously for estrus with closed circuit television and a time lapse videorecorder. Group 2 consisted of 33 cows housed in tie stalls with estrus detected by the herdsmen. Blood samples were collected twice weekly and assayed for progesterone. The plasma progesterone profiles were used to monitor ovarian function and determine ovulation time. In both groups there was close agreement between basal progesterone concentrations and observed estrous activity. There was no difference between the groups in the incidence of abnormal ovarian activity, or in the interval from parturition to first, second or third ovulation. For all cows with normal ovarian function, the median time to first ovulation was 19.5 days and the time to the second and third ovulation was 44.4 + 13.2 and 63.7 + 10.1 days, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in the days from parturition to first detected estrus: