Chicken

Reducing feather pecking when raising laying hen chicks in aviary systems

Aviary systems for laying hens offer several advantages over battery cages. However, pecking the feathers of conspecifics remains a serious problem that negatively affects the welfare of the birds. .. From experimental studies with small groups, it has been shown...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Huber-Eicher, B., Sebo, F. 2001. Reducing feather pecking when raising laying hen chicks in aviary systems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73, 59-68.

Scientists’ assessment of the impact of housing and management on animal welfare

In this article, we show that a broad consensus basis exists among welfare scientists concerning the assessment of farm animal welfare. .. Abnormal behavior[s] .. may indicate stress or some frustrated motivation, but they also may represent the animals' way...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: All/General, Bird, Chicken, Pig

Citation: Anonymous 2001. Scientists' assessment of the impact of housing and management on animal welfare. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 4, 3-52.

Comfortable quarters for chickens in research institutions

Practical recommendations for the species-adequate housing and handling of chickens.

Year Published: 2002Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Folsch, D. W., Hofner, M., Staack, M. et al. 2002. Comfortable quarters for chickens in research institutions. In: Comfortable Quarters for Laboratory Animals, Ninth Edition. Reinhardt, V. , Reinhardt, A. (eds.), 104-111. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Using artificial cover to reduce aggression and disturbances in domestic fowl

Differential use of space by domestic fowl may contribute to unnecessary aggressive interactions and disturbances among birds. Greater use of space near pen walls results in aggregations of birds around peripheral regions, leaving central areas unoccupied. ... Vertical panels, constructed...

Year Published: 2002Animal Type: Bird, Chicken, Fowl

Citation: Cornetto, T., Estevez, I., Douglas, L. W. 2002. Using artificial cover to reduce aggression and disturbances in domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75, 325-336.

Social dispersal by domestic chicks in a novel environment: reassuring properties of a familiar odourant

Our results .. support our hypothesis that familiar odourants can act as reassuring agents in otherwise unfamiliar situations. These findings may have important implications for poultry welfare.

Year Published: 2002Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Jones, B. R., Facchin, L., McCorquodale, C. 2002. Social dispersal by domestic chicks in a novel environment: reassuring properties of a familiar odourant. Animal Behaviour 63, 659-666.

The push-door for measuring motivation in hens: Laying hens are motivated to perch at night

Hens were prepared to work by pushing open weighted doors for access to perches for night-time roosting.

Year Published: 2002Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Olsson, I. A. S., Keeling, L. J. 2002. The push-door for measuring motivation in hens: Laying hens are motivated to perch at night. Animal Welfare 11, 11-19.

The value of environmental resources to domestic hens: A comparison of the work-rate for food and for nests as a function of time

Hens place a higher value on gaining access to a discrete nest-site prior to oviposition than they do on gaining access to food following 4 h food deprivation. (p. 39)

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Cooper, J. J., Appleby, M. C. 2003. The value of environmental resources to domestic hens: A comparison of the work-rate for food and for nests as a function of time. Animal Welfare 12, 39-52.

Use of pen space by broiler chickens reared at medium or very low densities

A better understanding of the motivation of broiler chickens reared indoors to go to and remain in a different part of the pen (or not) could help to provide appropriate organisation of the rearing space on farms. This study was...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Arnould, C., Faure, J. M. 2003. Use of pen space by broiler chickens reared at medium or very low densities. British Poultry Science 43, 148-149.

Feather pecking in poultry: The application of science in a search for practical solutions

Bunches of string elicited substantially greater interest than other stimuly, including feathers, and white or yellow string was the most attractive. The birds' manipulation of the string resembled preening. Incorporating silver beads or moving devices reduced pecking. String sustained lengthy...

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Jones, R. B., Blokhuis, H. J., de Jong, I. C. et al. 2004. Feather pecking in poultry: The application of science in a search for practical solutions. Animal Welfare 13(S), 215-219.

Effects of specific noise and music stimuli on stress and fear levels of laying hens of several breeds

The results of the present study indicate that specific noise stimulus (90 dB versus 65 dB) causes stress and fear in laying hens and specific classical music stimulus (75 dB versus 65 dB) has a negative influence on their fearfulness.

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campo, J. L., Gil, M. G., Dávila, S. G. 2005. Effects of specific noise and music stimuli on stress and fear levels of laying hens of several breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 91(1-2), 75-84.