Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches

Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches Beak trimming is used in the egg industry to prevent mortality from cannibalism and minimise injurious pecking, vent pecking, aggressive pecking at the head and all...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Glatz, P. C., Underwood, G. 2020. Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches. Animal Production Science, 61(10), 968–989.

Feather pecking and cannibalism

This well attended Workshop stimulated lively discussion that continued throughout the Conference. It addressed a behavioural problem in laying fowl that causes concern from both welfare and economic standpoints, particular in the context of the current trend towards alternative colony...

Year Published: 1995Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken, Fowl

Citation: Savory, C. J. 1995. Feather pecking and cannibalism. World’s Poultry Science Journal 51(2), 215–219.

The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: identifying the underlying principles

The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: Identifying the underlying principles Feather pecking (FP) in laying hens remains an important economic and welfare issue. This paper reviews the literature on causes of FP in laying hens. With...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Rodenburg, T. B., Van Krimpen, M. M., De Jong, I. C. et al. 2013. The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: Identifying the underlying principles. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 69.

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Feather pecking (FP) and cannibalism in laying hens are disadvantageous to the well-being of the birds. We investigated whether stress could be proposed as...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: El-lethey, H., Jungi, T. W., Huber-Eicher, B. 2001. Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Physiology & Behavior 73(1), 243–251.

Comparison of changes in the plumage and body condition, egg production, and mortality of different non-beak-trimmed pure line laying hens during the egg-laying period

The spread of both alternative and non-cage laying hen housing systems and the more forceful European refusal of beak trimming generate new problems in commercial egg production. The hybrid layers, which have been genetically selected under cage housing conditions for...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Milisits, G., Szász, S., Donkó, T. et al. 2021. Comparison of changes in the plumage and body condition, egg production, and mortality of different non-beak-trimmed pure line laying hens during the egg-laying period. Animals, 11(2).

A high enrichment replenishment rate reduces damaging behaviors and increases growth rate in undocked pigs kept in fully slatted pens

One of the difficulties in complying with the prohibition of routine tail docking is a lack of effective alternative solutions to prevent tail biting, especially in fully slatted systems. This study compared three slat-compatible enrichment replenishment strategies for pigs. Forty-eight...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Chou, J.-Y., Sandercock, D. A., D'Eath, R. B. et al. 2020. A High Enrichment replenishment rate reduces damaging behaviors and increases growth rate in undocked pigs kept in fully slatted pens. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 584706.

A persistent abnormal repetitive behaviour in a false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas)

Stereotypies (a subset of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviour [ARB]) are characterised by an unchanging pattern of behaviour and in captive animals can be associated with poor welfare. Although well known in certain taxa, little is known about both welfare and ARBs...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Michaels, C. J., Gini, B. F., Clifforde, L. 2020. A persistent abnormal repetitive behaviour in a false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas). Animal Welfare 29(4), 371-378.

Welfare benefits after the implementation of slow-feeder hay bags for stabled horses

Horse confinement is a common practice worldwide. However, preventing horses from grazing and denying them social interaction can compromise their welfare and lead to undesirable consequences. Considering the hypothesis that increasing the forage consumption time can lead to improved welfare,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Gomes Correa, M., Ferreira Rodrigues e Silva, C., Antunes Dias, L. et al. 2020. Welfare benefits after the implementation of slow-feeder hay bags for stabled horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 38, 61-66.

Discovering the relationship between dietary nutrients and cortisol and ghrelin hormones in horses exhibiting oral stereotypic behaviors: A review

This review focuses on associations of cortisol and the hormone ghrelin on abnormal oral behaviors, predominantly stereotypic behavior, in horses. Abnormal oral behaviors are prevalent in the stabled horse population. Feeding practice and satiety seem to play a significant role...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Hanis, F., Chung, E. L. T., Kamalludin, M. H. et al. 2020. Discovering the relationship between dietary nutrients and cortisol and ghrelin hormones in horses exhibiting oral stereotypic behaviors: A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 39, 90-98.

Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study

Studies on the etiology of behavioral problems often involve interference in the animal's routine or reliance on owners' self-reports like surveys. Gathering data from videos posted on social media, a technique coined ‘video mining’, offers novel opportunities to study the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Bird, Parrot

Citation: Acharya, R., Rault, J.-L. 2020. Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 40, 43-49.