Chicken

The effect of supplementary ultraviolet wavelengths on broiler chicken welfare indicators

Qualities of the light environment are important for good welfare in a number of species. In chickens, UVA light is visible and may facilitate flock interactions. UVB wavelengths promote endogenous vitamin D synthesis, which could support the rapid skeletal development...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: James, C., Asher, L., Herborn, K. et al. 2018. The effect of supplementary ultraviolet wavelengths on broiler chicken welfare indicators. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 209, 55-64.

Does grouping environmental enrichments together affect the way they are used by commercially housed broiler chickens?

Identifying the most attractive ways of presenting environmental enrichments in commercial broiler housing may encourage use and optimise their effectiveness. This study investigated the effect of grouping straw bales (SB), oat hulls (OH; as a dustbathing substrate) and pecking chain...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Baxter, M., O'Connell, N. E. 2019. Does grouping environmental enrichments together affect the way they are used by commercially housed broiler chickens? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 210, 52-59.

Examining affective structure in chickens: valence, intensity, persistence and generalization measured using a Conditioned Place Preference Test

When measuring animals' valenced behavioural responses to stimuli, the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) test goes a step further than many approach-based and avoidance-based tests by establishing whether a learned preference for, or aversion to, the location in which the stimulus...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Paul, E. S., Edgar, J. L., Caplen, G. et al. 2018. Examining affective structure in chickens: valence, intensity, persistence and generalization measured using a Conditioned Place Preference Test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 207, 39-48.

The effect of experience of ramps at rear on the subsequent ability of layer pullets to negotiate a ramp transition

In commercial situations, laying hens must negotiate levels to reach resources such as food, water and litter. Providing ramps in aviary systems reduces collisions and resultant keel bone fractures in adults. We investigated whether providing ramps during rear improved the...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Norman, K. I., Weeks, C. A., Pettersson, I. C. et al. 2018. The effect of experience of ramps at rear on the subsequent ability of layer pullets to negotiate a ramp transition. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 208, 92-99.

Effects of environmental complexity on fearfulness and learning ability in fast growing broiler chickens

Increasing environmental complexity, i.e. by providing environmental enrichment, has been suggested as a way to improve broiler chicken welfare. One issue affecting broiler welfare is the level of fearfulness of the flock. Exaggerated fear responses may cause smothering and mortality....

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Tahamtani, F. M., Pedersen, I. J., Toinon, C. et al. 2018. Effects of environmental complexity on fearfulness and learning ability in fast growing broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 207, 49-56.

Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens

Free-range laying hen systems provide individuals a choice between indoor and outdoor areas where range use may be socially influenced. This study used radio-frequency identification technology to track the ranging of individually-tagged hens housed in six experimental free-range pens from...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campbell, D. L. M., Horton, B. J., Hinch, G. N. 2018. Using radio-frequency identification technology to measure synchronised ranging of free-range laying hens. Animals 8(11), 210.

An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages

Feather pecking is a continuous welfare challenge in the housing of egg-laying hens. Canada is currently making the transition from conventional cages to alternative housing systems. However, feather damage (FD) among laying hens due to feather pecking remains a welfare...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Decina, C., Berke, O., van Staaveren, N. et al. 2019. An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages. Animals 9(4), 135.

An evaluation of two different broiler catching methods

Catching is the first step in the pre-slaughter chain for broiler chickens. The process may be detrimental for animal welfare due to the associated handling. The aim of this pilot study was to compare two different methods to manually catch...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Euthanasia, HandlingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Kittelsen, K. E., Granquist, E. G., Aunsmo, A. L. et al. 2018. An evaluation of two different broiler catching methods. Animals 8(8), 141.

Access to litter during rearing and environmental enrichment during production reduce fearfulness in adult laying hens

Exaggerated fear-reactions are associated with injurious flying, smothering, feather pecking and other events that compromise animal welfare in laying hens. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that chicks with access to litter during the first five...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Brantsæter, M., Tahamtani, F. M., Nordgreen, J. et al. 2017. Access to litter during rearing and environmental enrichment during production reduce fearfulness in adult laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 189, 49-56.

Nest alternatives: Adding a wire partition to the scratch area affects nest use and nesting behaviour of laying hens in furnished cages

Furnished cages (FC) are designed to accommodate highly motivated behaviour patterns like nesting; however, how hens perceive the resources provided in FCs is not fully understood. Our previous research of hens in FCs with a curtained nest (plastic mesh floor)...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Hunniford, M. E., Widowski, T. M. 2017. Nest alternatives: Adding a wire partition to the scratch area affects nest use and nesting behaviour of laying hens in furnished cages. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 186, 29-34.