The impact of early structural enrichment on spatial cognition in layer chicks

Norman, Kate I.; Adriaense, Jessie E. C.; Nicol, CJ

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2019.05.008

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Our findings demonstrate that if ramps are provided during rearing chicks will use elevated structures more. These findings correspond with previous experimental work where we observed chicks from 1-day old using structures with low-level perches (10 cm) and access ramps and observed increased ramp use to 3 days of age followed by an increase in the use of higher structural elements up to 26 days of age 16 . Evidence from these two studies show that chicks can use low perches or ramps from a young age with no consequential practical problems for the farmer.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…One reason why ramps may not routinely be provided to young chicks in commercial systems is that producers want chicks to stay near the heat source, food and water, or because they believe chicks will not use elevated structures during the first few days of life. However, we have shown that chicks will use ramps by day 1, then low-level perches (10 cm) at approximately 5 days of age, and will slowly progress to higher levels (60 cm) by 8 days of age 16 . Facilitated early access to elevated structures has cognitive benefits for young birds 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…However, we have shown that chicks will use ramps by day 1, then low-level perches (10 cm) at approximately 5 days of age, and will slowly progress to higher levels (60 cm) by 8 days of age 16 . Facilitated early access to elevated structures has cognitive benefits for young birds 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…This wing flapping and running up inclined structures may improve muscle and bone development 21 . Early access to ramps may also improve cognition and spatial navigation 16 thus improved utilisation of the three-dimensional laying environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rearing experience with ramps improves specific learning and behaviour and welfare on a commercial laying farm

Norman

Weeks

Tarlton

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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To access resources in commercial laying houses hens must move between levels with agility to avoid injury. This study considered whether providing ramps during rear improved the ability of birds to transition between levels. Twelve commercial flocks (2000 birds/flock) on a multi-age site were examined between 1 and 40 weeks of age. All birds had access to elevated perching structures from 4 days of age. Six treatment flocks were also provided with ramps during rear to facilitate access to these structures. Flocks were visited three times during rear and three times at lay to record transitioning behaviour and use of the elevated structures, together with scores for keel bone and feather damage. Ramp reared flocks used the elevated structures to a greater extent at rear (P = 0.001) and at lay, when all flocks had ramps, showed less hesitancy [i.e. pacing (P = 0.002), crouching (P = 0.001) and wing-flapping (P = 0.001)] in accessing levels. Mean levels of keel bone damage were reduced in ramp reared flocks (52%) compared with control flocks (64.8%) at 40 weeks of age (P = 0.028). The early life experience of the ramp reared flocks enabled specific learning that translated and persisted in later life and resulted in overall welfare benefits.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Rearing experience with ramps improves specific learning and behaviour and welfare on a commercial laying farm

Norman

Weeks

Tarlton

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The increase in ranging hours by the structural hens in the current study may have been due to improvements in their spatial navigation abilities. Previous research has shown some effects of elevated structures during rearing on the speed of completing cognitive tasks in chicks ( 30 ) or spatial jumping tasks in pullets ( 31 ). Laying hens reared in aviaries also showed improved three-dimensional use of their new pens when transferred to the laying facility compared with hens reared in cages, although these differences were not sustained past the first 4 weeks following transfer to the laying facility ( 32 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rearing Enrichments Affected Ranging Behavior in Free-Range Laying Hens

et al. 2020

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Within Australia, free-range systems are prevalent, but pullets destined for range access are reared indoors. This mismatch between rearing and layer housing may hinder adaptation to the free-range environment. Rearing enrichments could enhance pullet development. A total of 1,386 Hy-Line Brown® chicks were reared inside an experimental facility across 16 weeks with 3 enrichment treatments including (1) a control group with standard floor-housing, (2) a novelty group providing novel objects that changed weekly ("novelty" hens), and (3) a structural group with custom-designed H-shaped structures including opaque sides ("structural" hens). At 16 weeks of age, all pullets were leg-banded with microchips and moved to an experimental free-range system with 9 identical pens (n = 3/rearing treatment). From 25 to 64 weeks, individual hen daily ranging behavior was tracked via radio-frequency identification technology and grouped into 6 age periods per rearing treatment. Video footage was used to count the number of hens at different distances on the range for the first 14 days of access, and eggs were assessed for albumen corticosterone concentrations 4 days prior to (n = 450) and 1 week after first range access (n = 450). Across most age periods, the structural hens spent the most time ranging (P ≤ 0.01), the novelty hens showed the fewest number of visits to the range (P < 0.0001), and both enriched hen groups had the longest maximum visit durations (P ≤ 0.02). Range use increased with age across all treatments with only 3% of hens never going outside. All hens were initially slow to use the range area with fewer novelty hens venturing farther onto the range (P ≤ 0.03). The structural hens had higher albumen corticosterone concentrations and variance (both P ≤ 0.004) prior to range access. All hens showed an increase in albumen corticosterone following the first week of range access resulting in no differences between rearing treatments in means (P = 0.92) and variance (P = 0.63). Different enrichments have differing impacts on ranging behavior, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of effects, with differences in brain lateralization a potential hypothesis to be tested.

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