Role of loose feathers on the development of feather pecking in laying hens

Ramadan, Sameh; Borell, Eberhard von

doi:10.1080/00071660802094180

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Laying hens showed more activity in the morning, which was contrary to the findings of Channing et al [7] and Ramadan and Von Borell [54]. Pecking was mostly observed on the floor.…”

Section: Peckingcontrasting

confidence: 82%

Adaptational changes of behaviors in hens introduced to a multi-tier system

et al. 2020

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This study was conducted to investigate behavioral changes in laying hens (Hy-Line Brown) after transfer to a multi-tier system from the floor system and to examine their production performance. The hens were randomly divided into two groups and were allocated to the multi-tier system and the floor system at a commercial farm. Behavior of the laying hens was recorded by CCD (charge-coupled device) cameras and a digital video recorder. The data were scanned every 2 min to obtain an instantaneous behavioral sample or were immediately counted whenever the hens exhibited a designated behavior. Behavior changed dramatically during the first seven days. Egg production was higher in the multi-tier system, while cracked and dirty eggs were more frequent in the floor system (p < 0.05). No differences in mortality rate or egg quality were observed between the groups. In conclusion, the hens needed at least seven days to adapt to the multi-tier system. The multi-tier system was more efficient than the floor system in terms of production performance.

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“…Laying hens showed more activity in the morning, which was contrary to the findings of Channing et al [7] and Ramadan and Von Borell [54]. Pecking was mostly observed on the floor.…”

Section: Peckingcontrasting

confidence: 82%

Adaptational changes of behaviors in hens introduced to a multi-tier system

et al. 2020

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“…Moreover, lighter and younger hens tend to be more affected by this aggressive behavior. Ramadan & von Borell (2008) observed that hens reared in cages tended to be more restless and present worse feathering, despite not finding any significant differences in the expression of feather pulling as compared to those reared in an enriched environment. Also, the authors observed that feather pecking was more frequent in the afternoon, and that the wings and tail were the most affected body areas.…”

Section: Aggressive Behaviormentioning

confidence: 79%

Some aspects of chicken behavior and welfare

Costa

Pereira

Bueno

et al. 2012

Rev. Bras. Cienc. Avic.

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“…Others (Blokhuis and Wiepkema, 1998) have suggested that conspecific pecking could develop because of "misdirected food pecking" (Blokhuis and van der Haar, 1992). Other groups have suggested genetic, hormonal, feather conditions, among numerous other factors that may influence feather pecking in chickens and turkeys (Hughes, 1973;Cuthbertson, 1980;Kjaer and Sorensen, 1997;Blokhuis and Wiepkema, 1998;Huber-Eicher and Audige, 1999;Savory and Mann, 1999;Martrenchar et al, 2001;Keeling et al, 2004;Jensen et al, 2005;Bright, 2007;Ramadan and von Borell, 2008). Feather picking in ducks is relatively rare compared with the rate observed in chickens and turkeys but may be due to similar factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of environmental enrichment devices on feather picking in commercially housed Pekin ducks

Colton

Fraley

2014

Poultry Science

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Like other poultry species, Pekin ducks occasionally show an auto-mutilation behavior referred to as feather picking. Self-picking can lead to further pecking by conspecifics and ultimately to reduced feather quality and poor overall health of the bird. Although the reasons underlying feather picking are not clear, it appears to occur when the ducks are transitioning between downy feathers and adult plumage, between 17 and 22 d of age. We hypothesized that giving Pekin ducks a substitute outlet for this behavior in the form of environmental enrichment devices (EED) would decrease feather picking and improve feather quality and duck health and welfare. The EED were plastic Wifflestyle balls, each threaded with 4 zip-ties. In the first experiment, we set out to determine that placement of EED would not induce fear or harmful behaviors. Five barns were each divided into 2 pens, holding an average combined total of approximately 4,500 ducks with one pen per barn used as control. Upon placement of the EED in one pen per barn, both pens were videotaped for a total of 2 h per day. The physical characteristics of 100 ducks per pen were scored at age 7, 21, 28, and 35. Results showed a decrease (P = 0.034) in both selfpicking and conspecific-pecking in pens with EED compared with pens without EED. Although no differences in body condition scores were observed at 7 d of age, by d 21 ducks with EED showed better (P = 0.021) feather quality and cleanliness scores compared with ducks without EED. In a second experiment, we set out to determine if ducks had a color preference for blue/green, red, or white EED. Again, ducks with EED showed reduced (P = 0.038) feather picking compared with ducks without EED. Ducks interacted considerably more (P = 0.00089) frequently with blue/green EED then either red or white EED. These results suggest that providing environmental enrichment may minimize feather picking and improve feather quality and duck welfare.

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Role of loose feathers on the development of feather pecking in laying hens

Cited by 24 publications

References 34 publications

Adaptational changes of behaviors in hens introduced to a multi-tier system

Adaptational changes of behaviors in hens introduced to a multi-tier system

Some aspects of chicken behavior and welfare

The effects of environmental enrichment devices on feather picking in commercially housed Pekin ducks

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