Social reinstatement responses of meat-type chickens to familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics after exposure to an acute stressor

Effect of the density of conspecifics on runway social reinstatement behavior of male Japanese quail genetically selected for contrasting adrenocortical responsiveness to stress

“…Runway tests have been widely used to measure social reinstatement responses that are considered to be indicative of underlying sociality in birds as well as of their ability to make social discriminations and establish social interactions (Suarez and Gallup, 1983;Vallortigara et al, 1990;Carmichael et al, 1998;Faure and Mills 1998;Jones et al, 1999a;Marin et al, 2001;Väisänen and Jensen, 2004;Guzmán and Marin, 2008). In the present study, differences in certain social reinstatement responses between LS and HS quails were evident in 2 different runway tests, the TCRW and SRW.…”

“…In addition, under certain circumstances, underlying sociality (motivation to be near conspecifics) has been linked to stress responsiveness and fearfulness in domestic chicks (Jones, 1996;Marin et al, 2001;Guzmán and Marin, 2008). For example, depending on the test conditions, previously stressed birds have shown either an enhanced or a reduced social reinstatement behavior when placed in an unfamiliar environment (Marin et al, 2001;Guzmán and Marin, 2008). In children, shyness and social withdrawal have been positively linked with cortisol levels and general fearfulness (Kagan et al, 1988;Schmidt and Fox, 1998).…”

“…Second, the same males were individually retested in a single runway (SRW) wherein they were exposed to either a goal box containing a LD or HD of unfamiliar conspecific males. Runway tests have been widely used to measure social reinstatement responses; they are considered to be indicative of underlying sociality in birds as well as of their ability to make social discriminations and establish social interactions (Suarez and Gallup, 1983;Vallortigara et al, 1990;Mills et al, 1995;Carmichael et al, 1998;Jones et al, 1999a;Marin et al, 2001;Väisänen and Jensen, 2004;Guzmán and Marin, 2008). For example, both domestic chicks and Japanese quail approach conspecifics more readily than they approach an empty goal box or one containing members of different avian or mammalian species (Suarez and Gallup, 1983;Mills et al, 1995;Jones and Mills, 1999).…”

“…For example, crowding, alteration of group membership, and large groups whose size exceeds social recognition capacity often disturb or completely prevent natural social relationships between birds within flocks, which can potentially cause harmful effects Hughes et al, 1997). In addition, under certain circumstances, underlying sociality (motivation to be near conspecifics) has been linked to stress responsiveness and fearfulness in domestic chicks (Jones, 1996;Marin et al, 2001;Guzmán and Marin, 2008). For example, depending on the test conditions, previously stressed birds have shown either an enhanced or a reduced social reinstatement behavior when placed in an unfamiliar environment (Marin et al, 2001;Guzmán and Marin, 2008).…”

Social buffering in a bird

“…Chicks also show stress responses when separated from same-age conspecifics and are highly motivated to move towards a conspecific (Jones & Williams, 1992;Suarez & Gallup, 1983;Vallortigara, Cailotto, & Zanforlin, 1990). Importantly, studies with broiler chickens have suggested that stress is influential in this 'social reinstatement' response; for example, mechanical restraint increases motivation for chicks to restore contact with conspecifics, especially familiar ones (Guzman & Marin, 2008;Marin et al, 2001). However, a lack of evidence of stress alleviation (provided through the measurement of behavioural and physiological indicators) means that it is unknown whether the presence of conspecifics buffers the stress response.…”