Chicken

Marked for success

Our research group investigated the potential side effects of four popular identification systems used in poultry research. Wing and leg banding systems have a greater impact on certain stress paameters.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Dennis, R. L., Fahey, A. G. 2007. Marked for success. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 56(2), 21.

Strength of preference for dustbathing and foraging substrates in laying hens

The present experiment investigated the substrate preferences of laying hens, with particular respect to dustbathing and foraging behaviour. Individually-tested hens had to push a weighted door to enter one of four resource areas containing either a wire floor, or sand,...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: de Jong, I. C., Wolthuis-Fillerup, M., van Reenen, C. G. 2007. Strength of preference for dustbathing and foraging substrates in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 104(1-2), 24-36.

The behaviour of broiler chickens in different light sources and illuminances

Here, we describe two experiments aimed at assessing how commercially available light sources at set illuminances influenced the behaviour of broiler chickens. The broilers showed less feather-pecking behaviour in warm-white rather than biolux light and more foraging behaviour in dim...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Kristensen, H. H., Prescott, N. B., Perry, G. C. et al. 2007. The behaviour of broiler chickens in different light sources and illuminances . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 103(1-2), 75-89.

The relative preferences for wood shavings or feathers in high and low feather pecking birds

High feather pecking birds (HFP) have been reported to be attracted by feathers of their pen mates while low feather pecking birds (LFP) direct most of their pecking activities towards litter...Our results showed that hens were motivated to eat feathers...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Harlander-Matauschek, A., Benda, I., Lavetti, C. et al. 2007. The relative preferences for wood shavings or feathers in high and low feather pecking birds . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 107(1-2), 78-87.

Effects of broody hens on perch use, ground pecking, feather pecking and cannibalism in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Previous work has shown that the tendency to feather peck in domestic fowl is influenced by experiences early in life; it was hypothesised that broody hens prevent development of feather pecking and cannibalism in their chicks by increasing their ground...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Riber, A. B., Wichman, A., Braastad, B. O. et al. 2007. Effects of broody hens on perch use, ground pecking, feather pecking and cannibalism in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 106(1-3), 39-51.

Understanding feather eating behaviour in laying hens

In the present study, high feather pecking (HFP) and low feather pecking (LFP) birds were used to investigate if the lines differ in their willingness to work for food or feathers in the presence of freely available identical substrates. Twenty...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Harlander-Matauschek, A., Hӓusler, K. 2009. Understanding feather eating behaviour in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117(1-2), 35-41.

CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of farm animals in research, teaching and testing

These guidelines aim to provide information for investigators, animal care committees, facility managers and animal care staff that will assist in improving both the care given to farm animals and the manner in which experimental procedures are carried out. The...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Canadian Council on Animal Care. 2009. CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of farm animals in research, teaching and testing. Ottawa, Canada.

Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future

The Council has examined the effectiveness of British policy on farm animal welfare since 1965 and sets out a strategy that will lead to steady improvements in welfare over the next 20 years. Proposals are made for Government and commercial...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: All/General, Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Farm Animal Welfare Council 2009. Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future. Farm Animal Welfare Council, London, UK.

Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is appropriate enrichment for cats, rabbits,...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cat, Chicken, Finch, Guinea Pig, Mouse, Other Bird, Parrot, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2010. Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 39(3), 74-75.

The effects of four types of enrichment on feather-pecking behaviour in laying hens housed in barren environments

Severe feather pecking, a potentially stereotypic behaviour in chickens (Gallus gallus), can be reduced by providing enrichment. However, there is little comparative information available on the effectiveness of different types of enrichment. Providing forages to birds is likely to decrease...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Dixon, L. M., Duncan, I. J. H., Mason, G. J. 2010. The effects of four types of enrichment on feather-pecking behaviour in laying hens housed in barren environments. Animal Welfare 19(4), 429-435.