Night-time roosting in the domestic fowl: The height matters

Schrader, Lars; Müller, Brigitte

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2009.09.010

Cited by 51 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In system C in the second and third observation period, more hens were observed on the high perches compared to the low perches during the night observation. These results agree with findings of Schrader and Müller [11] and Struelens and Tuyttens [7] who observed that the height of perches influenced their use and that hens preferred to rest on high perches. In system D, the prevalence of hens on specific perches at nighttime changed from the first to the third observation period, which is, with progressing laying period and age of the hens.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…In this study, low perches were used more than high perches at daytime only if they were installed underneath a drinking trough. The use of and the preference for high perches was interpreted as an anti-predator behavior by several authors [11,28]. Also, Struelens and Tuyttens [7] observed a more frequent use of high perches if the distance to the ceiling of the cage was at least 19 to 24 cm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many factors are known to influence the use of perches in housing systems by laying hens, with the characteristics of the perch itself such as the diameter and shape [6,7], the material [8,9] and the height being crucial [10,11]. However, genetic differences between the hens also may influence the use of different perches [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Perch Height and Position on the Usage in Enriched Colony Housing Systems for

Hens¹

2016

J Veterinar Sci Technol

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In order to determine the utility of different perches in enriched colony housing systems for laying hens, the use of perches and an effect of the type and location in the system was examined in this behavioral study. Laying hens of the line Lohmann Selected Leghorn were housed in four different enriched colony housing systems which differed particularly in the alignment and arrangement of the functional areas. For analysis, perches were grouped into three types: low, low underneath the drinking trough and high. To evaluate the use of the perch types, video recordings were taken for 48 hours during three observation periods. These recordings were analyzed hourly at daytime and twice at nighttime. Through scan sampling, the overall number of hens using the perches and the fraction of hens per meter on a specific perch type were assessed. At nighttime, an average 62% of the laying hens used the perches. On average, 24% of the laying hens used the perches at daytime, with no significant difference between the different systems. Low perches that were not installed underneath the drinking trough were less commonly used than high perches. However, the hens used low perches that were positioned underneath the drinking trough more than other perch types during the day. At nighttime, high perches were used frequently and, depending on the system, more than the low perches. It should be considered that the hens used the low perches underneath the drinking trough during the day not to rest but rather to have better access to the drinking trough. It can be recommended that a sufficient number of high perches should be offered, so that all hens have access to these obviously preferred perches. If perches are installed underneath the drinking trough, it should be considered if additional perch space should be offered.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Perch Height and Position on the Usage in Enriched Colony Housing Systems for

Hens¹

2016

J Veterinar Sci Technol

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“…This might be attributable to hens' high motivation to use perches or to rest in an elevated position irrespective of perch design and even irrespective of the presence of a perch itself (Duncan et al, 1992;Olsson and keeling, 2002;Schrader and Müller, 2009). …”

Section: Effects Of Perch Shapementioning

confidence: 96%

Pressure load on keel bone and foot pads in perching laying hens in relation to perch design

2011

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The provision of perches in housing systems for laying hens is meant to improve hens' welfare by allowing a more natural behavior repertoire. However, the use of perches is associated with welfare problems, such as keel bone deviations and foot pad lesions, that may possibly result from high mechanical pressure load during extended perching activities. The aim of this study was to analyze peak force and contact area of hens' keel bones and foot pads on solid test perches of square, round, and oval shape with 3 different diameters each (experiment 1) and on commercially used perches (round steel tube, 2 sizes of mushroom-shaped plastic, and flattened round plastic) together with 2 prototypes of soft, round polyurethane perches (experiment 2). Test perches were covered with a pressure sensor film and 36 laying hens (18 Lohmann Selected Leghorn, 18 Lohmann Brown) were consecutively placed on each perch in an experimental cage during nighttime. Peak force (N/cm(2)) and contact area (cm(2)) were measured while hens were sitting and standing on the different test perches. Pressure peaks on the keel bone were approximately 5 times higher compared with single foot pad. On square perches, keel bone peak force was lower (P < 0.05) and contact area was larger (P < 0.001) compared with round and oval perches. In addition, peak force on foot pads in standing hens was higher on square perches (P < 0.05) compared with oval perches. Perch size did not affect peak forces on keel bones in sitting hens and foot pads in standing hens (experiment 1). On prototype perches, peak force on the keel bone was lower and contact area was larger compared with all commercial perches tested (P < 0.001). Peak force on foot pads was lower on prototype perches compared with steel perches (P < 0.01; experiment 2). Perches with a soft surface may possibly reduce keel bone and foot pad welfare problems in perching laying hens.

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“…The relative preference of roosting hens for an object that can be grasped versus an elevated structure was examined by Schrader and Muller (2009) who offered hens different combinations of high (60 cm) or low (15 cm) perches, or high or low flat plastic grids, for night-time roosting. Hens showed a very strong preference for high roosting structures over low, and a weaker preference for perches over grids when these were presented at the same height.…”

Section: Graspingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on welfare aspects of the use of perches for laying hens

2015

EFS2

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This opinion investigated the use of perches for laying hens in cage and non-cage systems. It is based on various activities reviewing the effects of perch height and design on hen health and welfare. Systematic and extensive literature reviews were conducted to assess the scientific evidence about hen motivation to grasp and seek elevation, and the appropriate height of perches as well as other features (position, material, colour, temperature, shape, width and length). In addition, an expert knowledge elicitation (EKE) exercise was run with technical hearing experts to discuss and prioritise the various design aspects of perches. Overall, the body of literature on perches is limited. Relevant features of perches are often confounded with others. In the literature, the most commonly used animal-based measures to assess perch adequacy are keel bone damages, foot pad lesions and perch use by hens. Overall, hens seek elevation during the day as well as during the night, when they select a site for roosting. Elevated perches allow hens to monitor the environment, to escape from other hens, avoid disturbances and improve thermoregulation. For night-time roosting hens show a preference for perches higher than 60cm compared with lower perches. However, elevated perches can have negative consequences with increased prevalence of keel deformities and fractures. The risk of injury increases when hens have to jump a distance of more than 80cm vertically, horizontally or diagonally to reach or leave a perch, or jump an angle between 45 and 90° (measured at the horizontal plane). Material, shape, length and width of the perch also influence perch preference by hens. The EKE exercise suggests that an adequate perch is elevated, accessible and functional (providing sufficient overview). The opinion concludes that for the design of an adequate perch, different features of perches need to be further investigated and integrated.

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Night-time roosting in the domestic fowl: The height matters

Cited by 51 publications

References 13 publications

Effect of Perch Height and Position on the Usage in Enriched Colony Housing Systems for

Effect of Perch Height and Position on the Usage in Enriched Colony Housing Systems for

Pressure load on keel bone and foot pads in perching laying hens in relation to perch design

Scientific Opinion on welfare aspects of the use of perches for laying hens

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