The influence of strain and environmental factors upon feather pecking and cannibalism in fowls

Hughes, B.O.; Duncan, Ian

doi:10.1080/00071667208415981

Cited by 289 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…FP is a multifactorial problem caused by both genetic and environmental factors. There is evidence of line differences in FP (Kjaer et al 2001;Uitdehaag et al 2008), and it has been demonstrated that FP is influenced by group size, light intensity, diet and type of litter (Hughes and Duncan 1972;Blokhuis and Arkes 1984;Savory 1995). As for its aetiology, FP has been considered to be redirected ground pecking (Blokhuis 1986), abnormal dustbathing behaviour (Vestergaard and Lisborg 1993), or the consequence of a more general hyperactivity disorder (Kjaer 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Across-Line SNP Association Study for Direct and Associative Effects on Feather Damage in Laying Hens

et al. 2010

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An association study between SNP markers and feather condition score on the back, rump and belly of laying hens was performed. Feather condition score is a measure of feather damage, which has been shown to be closely related to feather pecking behaviour in hens housed in groups. A population of 662 hens was genotyped for 1536 SNPs of which 1022 could be used for the association study. The analysis was conducted across 9 different lines of White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red origin. Across lines linkage disequilibrium is conserved at shorter distances than within lines; therefore, SNPs significantly associated with feather condition score across lines are expected to be closer to the functional mutations. The SNPs that had a significant across-line effect but did not show significant SNP-by-line interaction were identified, to test that the association was consistent across lines. Both the direct effect of the individual's genotype on its plumage condition, and the associative effect of the genotype of the cage mates on the individual's plumage condition were analysed. The direct genetic effect can be considered as the susceptibility to be pecked at, whereas the associative genetic effect can be interpreted as the propensity to perform feather pecking. Finally, 11 significant associations between SNPs and behavioural traits were detected in the direct model, and 81 in the associative model. A role of the gene for the serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) on chromosome 4 was found. This supports existing evidence of a prominent involvement of the serotonergic system in the modulation of this behavioural disorder in laying hens. The genes for IL9, IL4, CCL4 and NFKB were found to be associated to plumage condition, revealing relationships between the immune system and behaviour.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Across-Line SNP Association Study for Direct and Associative Effects on Feather Damage in Laying Hens

et al. 2010

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“…Cannibalism can also occur without previous feather pecking. This is referred to as`vent-pecking' (Hughes and Duncan, 1972;Allen and Perry, 1975).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergent selection on feather pecking behaviour in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Kjaer¹,

Sørensen²,

Su³

2001

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

178

128

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“…If not controlled, this behaviour most often results in severe damage of the plumage, wounding and death (Hughes, 1982 and1985), which can result in mortality rates up to 20% and occasionally over 50%. Being a 'multi-factorial' disorder (Hughes and Duncan, 1972;Blokhuis, 1989), various causal factors relative to the rearing environment and genetic characteristics were reported (Sharma et al, 1999). Debeaking or beak trimming may reduce feather pecking but result in both acute and chronic nociceptive stimuli and potentially stress and frustration.…”

Section: Substitute the Painful Procedures By The Least Painful Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimising pain in farm animals: the 3S approach – ‘Suppress, Substitute, Soothe’

Guatteo

Levionnois

Fournier

et al. 2012

Animal

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Recently, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research appointed an expert committee to review the issue of pain in food-producing farm animals. To minimise pain, the authors developed a ‘3S’ approach accounting for ‘Suppress, Substitute and Soothe’ by analogy with the ‘3Rs’ approach of ‘Reduction, Refinement and Replacement’ applied in the context of animal experimentation. Thus, when addressing the matter of pain, the following steps and solutions could be assessed, in the light of their feasibility (technical constraints, logistics and regulations), acceptability (societal and financial aspects) and availability. The first solution is tosuppressany source of pain that brings no obvious advantage to the animals or the producers, as well as sources of pain for which potential benefits are largely exceeded by the negative effects. For instance, tail docking of cattle has recently been eliminated. Genetic selection on the basis of resistance criteria (as e.g. for lameness in cattle and poultry) or reduction of undesirable traits (e.g. boar taint in pigs) may also reduce painful conditions or procedures. The second solution is tosubstitutea technique causing pain by another less-painful method. For example, if dehorning cattle is unavoidable, it is preferable to perform it at a very young age, cauterising the horn bud. Animal management and constraint systems should be designed to reduce the risk for injury and bruising. Lastly, in situations where pain is known to be present, because of animal management procedures such as dehorning or castration, or because of pathology, for example lameness, systemic or local pharmacological treatments should be used tosoothepain. These treatments should take into account the duration of pain, which, in the case of some management procedures or diseases, may persist for longer periods. The administration of pain medication may require the intervention of veterinarians, but exemptions exist where breeders are allowed to use local anaesthesia (e.g. castration and dehorning in Switzerland). Extension of such exemptions, national or European legislation on pain management, or the introduction of animal welfare codes by retailers into their meat products may help further developments. In addition, veterinarians and farmers should be given the necessary tools and information to take into account animal pain in their management decisions.

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The influence of strain and environmental factors upon feather pecking and cannibalism in fowls

Cited by 289 publications

References 14 publications

Across-Line SNP Association Study for Direct and Associative Effects on Feather Damage in Laying Hens

Across-Line SNP Association Study for Direct and Associative Effects on Feather Damage in Laying Hens

Divergent selection on feather pecking behaviour in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Minimising pain in farm animals: the 3S approach – ‘Suppress, Substitute, Soothe’

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