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Baxter M, O'Connell NE. Developing appropriate environmental enrichment strategies for broiler breeders. Sci Rep 2025; 15:9738. [PMID: 40118948 PMCID: PMC11928546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89691-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 03/24/2025] Open
Abstract
There is a recognised need for environmental enrichment strategies to be developed for broiler parent stock. We evaluated the use and tested preferences for three forms of enrichment in commercial broiler breeder housing: (1) perches (platform perches, round metal perches, round rubber-coated metal perches), (2) pecking enrichments (silver reflective gazing balls, multi-coloured reflective gazing balls, non-reflective gazing balls), and (3) dust baths (oat hulls, sawdust, 50:50 mix). Observations from video footage were conducted during early, peak and late lay of a 44 week production phase on one farm. There was a clear preference for platform perches over both round perches, and for rubber-coated perches over metal perches until late lay. Perching was highest at night but reduced over the cycle. We found a drop off in perching once 23 cm of linear space per bird had been reached, suggesting this represented comfortable maximum capacity. All pecking enrichments attracted interest, with no difference between the three types, although pecking rate reduced across the cycle. House litter was well maintained and dustbathing was widely observed throughout the house, making additional dustbathing areas largely superfluous on this farm. We suggest platform perches and suspended gazing balls to be suitable environmental enrichments for commercial breeder housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Baxter
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland.
| | - Niamh E O'Connell
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
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2
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Zhang L, Zhang Z, Liang W. Are domestic chickens born with predator recognition? Validation of a sound playback experiment. Behav Processes 2025; 225:105139. [PMID: 39788304 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2025.105139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2024] [Revised: 12/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2025] [Indexed: 01/12/2025]
Abstract
Predation risk can influence behavioral decisions of animals in various ways. Prey animals have the opportunity to choose antipredation behaviors and escape strategies only by quickly and accurately identifying predators. As precocial birds, domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) have no adaptation period after hatching and must immediately survive under predation risk. They possess a strong ability to identify threats through vocalizations. To explore whether domestic chickens have innate predator recognition ability and whether the antipredation behavior of breeding chickens is stronger than that of non-breeding chickens. We tested the antipredation behaviors of three types of flocks (non-breeding chickens; hen with chicks; isolated chicks) of domestic chickens in response to sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) calls using playback experiments, while Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis) calls were used as a control. We found that breeding hens are significantly more vigilant than non-breeding chickens. We also found that although isolated chicks can exhibit antipredator behavior, they cannot accurately identify the calls of predators and non-predators. Therefore, it can be concluded that domestic chickens exhibit varying degrees of vigilance towards predator calls at different stages of their life history. Reproductive costs can lead to increased vigilance in domestic chickens. The accurate identification of predators by domestic chickens is not innate, but gradually formed over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China; College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Zihui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Wei Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
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3
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Šemrov MZ, Terčič D, Gobbo E. Assessment of positive experiences using associative learning in chickens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104282. [PMID: 39303352 PMCID: PMC11437763 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
To determine whether differences in positive experiences can influence associative learning ability, 2 tasks were conducted with 90 laying hens at the peak of the laying period. The selected hens were reared in a larger flock under the same housing conditions without perches, so they had the same rearing experiences and were moved to either enriched cages or to the floor system at 16 wk of age. They belonged to 3 breeds (Slovenian barred hen: Ba; brown hen: Br; silver hen, S), with 30 hens per breed. The predictor signal, the sound of a clicker, with a 3-second delayed reinforcer (commercial layer feed) was used to mark the desired behaviour (pecking for feed). Hens that associated feed with a clicker (85.06%) were taught 2 tasks, the colour discrimination task (CD) and the target following task (TF). In the CD, the hens had to discriminate between yellow, red and blue colors and peck at a yellow magnet only. In the TF, the desired behaviour was to follow a target, a purple ball on a stick, from 1 perch to another and peck it at the end of the perch. The main results of the hens associating the signal with feed were that the Ba hens learned faster than the S hens (P = 0.006) and required fewer clicker sounds than the Br hens in the CD (P = 0.003). Floor hens that completed CD or TF or both took less time to complete the task (CD, P = 0.03, TF, P = 0.06; both tasks, P = 0.02) or with fewer clicker sounds (CD task; P = 0.02) than cage hens. Although these results suggest that Ba hens and floor hens showed better associate learning performance, probably because they perceived their environment as more rewarding and thus potentially more positive, caution is needed in interpretation considering social experiences and that the ability to perch and the ability to move quickly on a perch can be confounded in TF and both tasks can be confounded with foraging ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manja Zupan Šemrov
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia, 1230.
| | - Dušan Terčič
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia, 1230
| | - Elena Gobbo
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia, 1230
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Bist RB, Bist K, Poudel S, Subedi D, Yang X, Paneru B, Mani S, Wang D, Chai L. Sustainable poultry farming practices: a critical review of current strategies and future prospects. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104295. [PMID: 39312848 PMCID: PMC11447413 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As global demand for poultry products, environmental sustainability, and health consciousness rises with time, the poultry industry faces both substantial challenges and new opportunities. Therefore, this review paper provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable poultry farming, focusing on integrating genetic improvements, alternative feed, precision technologies, waste management, and biotechnological innovations. Together, these strategies aim to minimize ecological footprints, uphold ethical standards, improve economic feasibility, and enhance industry resilience. In addition, this review paper explores various sustainable strategies, including eco-conscious organic farming practices and innovative feed sources like insect-based proteins, single-cell proteins, algal supplements, and food waste utilization. It also addresses barriers to adoption, such as technical challenges, financial constraints, knowledge gaps, and policy frameworks, which are crucial for advancing the poultry industry. This paper examined organic poultry farming in detail, noting several benefits like reduced pesticide use and improved animal welfare. Additionally, it discusses optimizing feed efficiency, an alternate energy source (solar photovoltaic/thermal), effective waste management, and the importance of poultry welfare. Transformative strategies, such as holistic farming systems and integrated approaches, are proposed to improve resource use and nutrient cycling and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. The review underscores the need for a structured roadmap, education, and extension services through digital platforms and participatory learning to promote sustainable poultry farming for future generations. It emphasizes the need for collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders and the crucial role of researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals in shaping a future where sustainable poultry practices lead the industry, committed to ethical and resilient poultry production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Bahadur Bist
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Biological and Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Keshav Bist
- Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal
| | - Sandesh Poudel
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Deepak Subedi
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Bidur Paneru
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sudhagar Mani
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Dongyi Wang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Lilong Chai
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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5
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Vanden Hole C, Plante-Ajah M, Kliphuis S, Manet M, Rodenburg TB, Tuyttens F. The impact of early-life conditions on visual discrimination abilities in free-ranging laying hens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104236. [PMID: 39217659 PMCID: PMC11402620 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Conditions during incubation and rearing can greatly affect the developmental trajectory of chickens, in a positive and negative way. In this study, the effect of early-life conditions on the visual discrimination abilities of adult, free-ranging laying hens was examined. These early-life treatments entailed incubation in a 12/12h green light/dark cycle and rearing with Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as foraging enrichment. Through a modified pebble-floor test, 171 hens of 41 to 42 wk old, housed in mobile stables with outdoor access, were tested for their ability to discriminate between food and nonfood items (mealworms and decoy mealworms). Each hen was allowed 60 pecks during the trial, from which the overall success rate, as well as within-trial learning was investigated. The latter was accomplished by dividing the 60 pecks into 3 blocks of 20 pecks and comparing the success rate between these blocks. Due to another ongoing experiment on range use, roughly half the hens received range enrichment (mealworms) at the time of testing, so this was included as a covariate in the analysis. Incubation with green light did not have an effect on the visual discrimination abilities of adult laying hens. Rearing with BSFL did have a limited beneficial effect on the visual discrimination abilities, as evidenced by a higher success rate during the first block of the visual discrimination trial. These enhanced visual discrimination abilities might be useful in a more complex free-range setting, where the animals have more foraging opportunities. Hens that received range enrichment at the time of testing, also had a higher success rate during the visual discrimination test, though they had a lower degree of test completion, likely due to habituation to the mealworms as an enrichment. The positive effects of BSFL during rearing and mealworms during the laying period stress the importance of enrichment throughout the life of the hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Vanden Hole
- Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Michael Plante-Ajah
- Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Saskia Kliphuis
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maëva Manet
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Animal Sciences, Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Tuyttens
- Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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6
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Skřivan M, Englmaierová M, Marounek M, Taubner T, Lanzoni D, Bejčková K, Giromini C, Baldi A. Dietary supplementation with xylanase suppresses the antinutritional effect of nonstarch polysaccharides of flaxseed and increases bone strength in broiler chickens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0312950. [PMID: 39485815 PMCID: PMC11530019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 10/16/2024] [Indexed: 11/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of xylanase and flaxseed the performance of chickens, digesta viscosity, nutrient retention, fatty acid profile in muscle, tibia strength and interrelations of these factors in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet. Seven hundred and twenty one-day-old Ross 308 cockerels were assigned to four treatments according to the contents of flaxseed (0 and 80 g/kg) and xylanase (0 and 0.1 g/kg) in the diet. Xylanase significantly decreased the intake of feed (p < 0.001), decreased feed conversion (p < 0.001), and reduced mortality (p = 0.050). In addition, xylanase significantly increased the retention of all nutrients (p = 0.010 -<0.001) except crude fibre, the fat content in breast meat (p = 0.029) and liver (p = 0.019) and the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in meat (p = 0.002). Flaxseed supplementation did not influence performance but decreased the retention of dry matter (p = 0.016), crude protein (p = 0.012), organic matter (p = 0.016) and nitrogen-free extract (p = 0.008). Xylanase in combination with flaxseed increased the content of n-3 fatty acids in the breast meat (p = 0.006). The lowest n-6/n-3 ratio (p = 0.001) was detected in the flaxseed and flaxseed combined with xylanase groups. Significant interaction effects of flaxseed and xylanase on tibia strength (p = 0.030) and tibia ash content (p = 0.009) were detected. The administration of xylanase or flaxseed alone increased tibia strength. Compared with the control diet, the addition of flaxseed to the diet increased the digesta viscosity (p = 0.043) in the ileum, whereas the addition of xylanase decreased the level of this indicator. It can be concluded that xylanase is an enzyme suitable for increasing nutrient availability, and in the case of its addition to a flaxseed diet, it can reduce the antinutritional effect of flaxseed by reducing the viscosity of the digesta and increasing the content of health-promoting n-3 PUFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Skřivan
- Department of Nutritional Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Uhrineves, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Englmaierová
- Department of Nutritional Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Uhrineves, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Marounek
- Department of Nutritional Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Uhrineves, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Taubner
- Department of Nutritional Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Uhrineves, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Davide Lanzoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Klára Bejčková
- Department of Nutritional Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Uhrineves, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Carlotta Giromini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Coordinating Research Centres, Innovation for Well-Being and Environment, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Baldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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7
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Oke OE, Onagbesan OM. Impacts of access to legume- or grass-based pasture on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load of laying hens. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34780. [PMID: 39149081 PMCID: PMC11324940 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the plethora of studies on the impacts of access to runs on chickens, there is a paucity of information on the welfare and behavioural repertoire of hens raised in the deep litter houses with or without access to legume- or grass-based pasture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of access to grass or legume pastures by laying hens on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load. The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of exposure of egg-type chickens to runs on grass or legume pastures on their welfare and behaviours. The study involved the use of 240 ISA brown pullets from 12 weeks of age and and lasted for 48 weeks. The treatments were deep litter housing with grass-based pasture run (PG), deep litter housing with legume-based pasture run (PL) and deep litter housing without runs (LD) having 80 pullets with four replicates of twenty birds each. Behavioural observations of the hens in each pen were made at 52 weeks of age and tonic immobility was assessed by making the birds lie on their back with their head resting in a U-shaped wooden cradle. The measurements of the respiratory rate and rectal temperature of the hens were assessed at 1:00 p.m. at different laying phases. The gastrointestinal and egg bacterial counts were conducted at 60 weeks of age. Results revealed that the proportion of time spent eating was highest (p < 0.05) in the deep litter housing system, while the legume and grass pasture were similar. The hens spent most of their time standing and eating in the three treatments. However, the time spent standing in PL and PG was similar but significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in LD. Results on tonic immobility duration showed that the time spent by the hens in LD during the reaction was significantly longer than those of the PL and PG in the first, second and third phases of the experiments. However, the time spent by the hens in PL and PG was similar. The rectal temperatures of PL and PG birds were comparable and higher than those of LD during the second phase. On the other hand, there was no difference in the respiratory rate. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) of the hens did not follow a consistent pattern. The bacterial count in the large intestine in LD and PL was similar but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the PG. It was concluded that access to pasture influenced the behaviours of hens and that tonic immobility duration was shorter in the hens on the pasture, suggesting that access to pasture favoured hens' welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- O E Oke
- Animal Physiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Centre of Excellence in Avian Sciences, University of Lome, Togo
| | - O M Onagbesan
- Animal Physiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Centre of Excellence in Avian Sciences, University of Lome, Togo
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8
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Anderson MG, Johnson AM, Harrison C, Jones J, Ali A. Influence of perch provision during rearing on activity and musculoskeletal health of pullets. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307114. [PMID: 39008511 PMCID: PMC11249234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Prior research suggests exercise during pullet rearing can mitigate lay-phase bone fractures by strengthening muscles, enhancing balance, and increasing bone mass. This study aimed to confirm that Hy-Line brown pullets with multi-tier perches show increased activity and improved musculoskeletal health. Pullets (n = 810) were randomly allocated to housing systems, either with multi-tier perches (P; n = 15 pens) or without (NP; n = 15 pens), spanning from 0-17 weeks of age. At 5, 11, and 17 weeks, individual birds were meticulously monitored for activity using accelerometers over three consecutive days (n = 90 randomly selected birds/week). At 11 and 17 weeks, 60 birds underwent euthanasia and computed tomography (CT) scans to ascertain tibiotarsal bone mineral density and cross-sectional area measurements. Post-CT scanning, birds were dissected for muscle size, tibiotarsal breaking strength, and tibiotarsal ash percentage measurements. Additionally, serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide were assessed as markers of bone formation (n = 90 birds/week). Pullet group P exhibited heightened vertical activity (P<0.05), with no discernible differences in overall activity (P>0.05) during weeks 5, 11, and 17 compared to group NP. Tibiotarsal bones of P pullets demonstrated superior total and cortical bone mineral density at week 11, alongside increased cortical bone cross-sectional areas and heightened total and cortical bone mineral densities at week 17 (P<0.05) compared to NP pullets. At week 11, P pullets displayed larger leg muscles, including triceps, pectoralis major and minor, and leg muscles at week 17 (P<0.05) compared to NP pullets. Notably, at both weeks, P pullets' tibiae exhibited greater breaking strengths, higher ash percentages, and elevated concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide compared to NP pullets (P<0.05). The study findings underscore the benefits of providing multi-tier perches for pullets, serving as a valuable tool for enhancing bird activity and musculoskeletal health preceding the lay phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory G. Anderson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Alexa M. Johnson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Cerano Harrison
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
- South Carolina Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health Center, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Jeryl Jones
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
- South Carolina Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health Center, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
- Animal Behavior and Management, Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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9
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Terada T, Shimoda M, Waku D, Ogawa H. Formation of the Pecking Order during Small-Scale Floor Feeding in Helmeted Guinea Fowl ( Numida meleagris). J Poult Sci 2024; 61:2024020. [PMID: 38873243 PMCID: PMC11166474 DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.2024020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Helmeted guinea fowl are social animals and only males form a hierarchy in the wild. Non-cage husbandry systems benefit the reproductive health of guinea fowl; however, there are concerns that the feeding duration of subordinate individuals is insufficient. Here, the pecking orders formed during small-scale floor feeding were investigated. There were three experimental categories: male-only (four males), female-only (four females), and mixed category (two males, two females). Each experimental category was set up three times and included different individuals. Behaviors were recorded for 130 h 52 min, 89 h 11 min, and 98 h 46 min in the male, female, and mixed categories, respectively. Male helmeted guinea fowls pecked other males, whereas females exhibited little pecking behavior. Male pecking behavior was not homogeneous within each experimental group. It has been suggested that males form a pecking order, whereas females have no hierarchy under small-scale floor-feeding conditions, as observed in the wild. In most cases, on the first day the number of pecking behaviors was low 20 min after the start of the experiment. The three subordinate individuals in the mixed category had little time to feed, whereas the other birds in the mixed category and all helmeted guinea fowl in the male- and female-only categories had longer feeding durations. We suggest that helmeted guinea fowl may be reared under small-scale floor feeding, and that the health of males should be managed. However, rearing females and males under small-scale floor feeding conditions should be avoided. This study contributes to improving the welfare of helmeted guinea fowl reared under small-scale floor feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Terada
- Faculty of
Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1737
Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
- Graduate School of
Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1
Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Shimoda
- Faculty of
Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1737
Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Daisuke Waku
- Faculty of
Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1737
Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
- Faculty of
International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo
University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka,
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ogawa
- Faculty of
Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1737
Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
- Yamashina
Institute for Ornithology, 115 Konoyama, Abiko,
Chiba 270-1145, Japan
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10
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Colditz IG, Campbell DLM, Ingham AB, Lee C. Review: Environmental enrichment builds functional capacity and improves resilience as an aspect of positive welfare in production animals. Animal 2024; 18:101173. [PMID: 38761442 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The success of the animal in coping with challenges, and in harnessing opportunities to thrive, is central to its welfare. Functional capacity describes the capacity of molecules, cells, organs, body systems, the whole animal, and its community to buffer against the impacts of environmental perturbations. This buffering capacity determines the ability of the animal to maintain or regain functions in the face of environmental perturbations, which is recognised as resilience. The accuracy of physiological regulation and the maintenance of homeostatic balance underwrite the dynamic stability of outcomes such as biorhythms, feed intake, growth, milk yield, and egg production justifying their assessment as indicators of resilience. This narrative review examines the influence of environmental enrichments, especially during developmental stages in young animals, in building functional capacity and in its subsequent expression as resilience. Experience of enriched environments can build skills and competencies across multiple functional domains including but not limited to behaviour, immunity, and metabolism thereby increasing functional capacity and facilitating resilience within the context of challenges such as husbandry practices, social change, and infection. A quantitative method for measuring the distributed property of functional capacity may improve its assessment. Methods for analysing embedded energy (emergy) in ecosystems may have utility for this goal. We suggest functional capacity provides the common thread that links environmental enrichments with an ability to express resilience and may provide a novel and useful framework for measuring and reporting resilience. We conclude that the development of functional capacity and its subsequent expression as resilience is an aspect of positive animal welfare. The emergence of resilience from system dynamics highlights a need to shift from the study of physical and mental states to the study of physical and mental dynamics to describe the positive dimension of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Colditz
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
| | - D L M Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - A B Ingham
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - C Lee
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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11
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Kliphuis S, Manet MWE, Goerlich VC, Nordquist RE, Vernooij H, Tuyttens FAM, Rodenburg TB. Effects of lighted incubation and foraging enrichment during rearing on individual fear behavior, corticosterone, and neuroplasticity in laying hen pullets. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103665. [PMID: 38569241 PMCID: PMC10999657 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental conditions during incubation and rearing can influence stress responsivity of laying hen pullets throughout their lifespan, and therefore have important implications for their welfare. In this study, a 12:12h green LED light-dark cycle during incubation and larvae provisioning as enrichment during rearing were tested as strategies to optimize early-life conditions and thereby decrease stress responsivity in ISA Brown laying hens. A combination of parameters was measured to indicate neuronal, physiological, and behavioral changes that may affect fear and stress. The proteins calbindin D28k (calbindin1), doublecortin (DCX), and neuronal nuclein protein (NeuN) were quantified after hatch as a proxy for brain plasticity. Plasma and feather corticosterone levels were measured after hatch and at the end of the rearing phase, and fearfulness was investigated through a series of behavioral tests (i.e., voluntary approach, open field, tonic immobility, and manual restraint tests). No effects of light during incubation were found on calbindin1, DCX, or NeuN. Neither of the treatments affected corticosterone levels in blood plasma and feathers. Light-incubated pullets showed less fearfulness towards humans in the voluntary approach test, but not in the other behavioral tests reported in this study. Larvae provisioning had no effect on behavior. Our study showed minor effects of light during incubation and no effects of enrichment during rearing on stress responsivity of laying hen pullets. The small effects may be explained by the enriched rearing conditions for all birds in this experiment (low stocking density, natural daylight, and 24/7 classical music). Given the promising results of lighted incubation in other studies, which were mostly performed in broiler chickens, and evidence regarding the positive effects of enrichment during rearing, the potential of these strategies to improve laying hen welfare needs to be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Kliphuis
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Maëva W E Manet
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vivian C Goerlich
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E Nordquist
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Vernooij
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A M Tuyttens
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Mazocco CC, de Castro Júnior SL, Silveira RMF, Poletto R, da Silva IJO. Laying Hens: Why Smothering and Not Surviving?-A Literature Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1518. [PMID: 38891565 PMCID: PMC11171085 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The proliferation of rearing systems providing opportunities for birds to engage in natural behaviors can trigger behavioral repertoires that when not manageable compromise animal welfare and the economic viability of the flock. Smothering in laying hens has long been perceived as "natural" or the result of hysteria among birds in the flock. However, the current literature has recognized smothering as an abnormal outcome with the potential to result in significant losses in cage-free poultry systems. Recent studies have specifically aimed to categorize the organization of smothering behavior and highlight its potential causes and consequences. In this study, literature review and bibliographic mapping, drawing on published articles and engagement with poultry farmers through extension and rural technical assistance, were employed. The findings indicate that smothering is a behavior triggered by factors related to the environment in which the laying hens are kept. This study concludes that there is a critical need for more rigorous and detailed research to elucidate the nuances of avian behavioral physiology and assess the impact of production systems on animal welfare and the economic impacts on the flock. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of bird behavior in high-production environments and provides practical insights for the poultry industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Citta Mazocco
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ambiência (NUPEA), Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘‘Luiz de Queiroz’’ (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil; (S.L.d.C.J.); (R.M.F.S.); (I.J.O.d.S.)
| | - Sérgio Luís de Castro Júnior
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ambiência (NUPEA), Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘‘Luiz de Queiroz’’ (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil; (S.L.d.C.J.); (R.M.F.S.); (I.J.O.d.S.)
| | - Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ambiência (NUPEA), Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘‘Luiz de Queiroz’’ (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil; (S.L.d.C.J.); (R.M.F.S.); (I.J.O.d.S.)
| | - Rosangela Poletto
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS)-Campus Sertão, Sertão 99170-000, RS, Brazil;
| | - Iran José Oliveira da Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ambiência (NUPEA), Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘‘Luiz de Queiroz’’ (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil; (S.L.d.C.J.); (R.M.F.S.); (I.J.O.d.S.)
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13
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Abraham ME, Robison CI, Serpa PBS, Strandberg NJ, Erasmus MA, Fraley GS, Erf GF, Karcher DM. Cage-Free Pullets Minimally Affected by Stocking Density Stressors. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1513. [PMID: 38791730 PMCID: PMC11117258 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Management choices during the pullet phase can affect behavior, welfare, and health later in life, but few studies have evaluated the pullet phase, particularly in extensive housing systems. This study was a 2 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two strains and two stocking densities. The Lohmann LB-Lite and Lohmann LSL-Lite were housed on the floor at high-stocking density (619-670 cm2/bird) and low-stocking density (1249-1352 cm2/bird), which changed with age from 2 to 16 weeks of age (WOA). Bird-based measures of appearance, blood parameters, organ measurements, and production values were evaluated. Stocking density alone affected (p < 0.05) only relative bursal weight (% of body weight)-3.32% in the low-density versus 3.08% in the high-density group. High-stocking density was correlated with decreased uniformity (high-89.33 ± 0.24%; low-90.41 ± 0.24; p < 0.02) and worse feather coverage in the brown strain. High-stocking density was correlated with greater uniformity (High-90.39 ± 0.24%; Low-88.47 ± 0.24%; p < 0.001) and better feather coverage in the white strain. This study's feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved by 0.07 in the low-stocking density for both strains. The remaining parameters were affected by strain and age only. Thus, while stocking density effects vary slightly depending on the strain used, cage-free pullets had limited negative effects at both the high and low-stocking densities tested in this study; there were few to no changes in the numerous bird-based welfare parameters tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan E. Abraham
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2050, USA; (M.E.A.); (M.A.E.); (G.S.F.)
| | - Cara I. Robison
- Department of Animal Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-2604, USA;
| | - Priscila B. S. Serpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (P.B.S.S.); (N.J.S.)
| | - Natalia J. Strandberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (P.B.S.S.); (N.J.S.)
| | - Marisa A. Erasmus
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2050, USA; (M.E.A.); (M.A.E.); (G.S.F.)
| | - Gregory S. Fraley
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2050, USA; (M.E.A.); (M.A.E.); (G.S.F.)
| | - Gisela F. Erf
- Department of Poultry Science, System Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Darrin M. Karcher
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2050, USA; (M.E.A.); (M.A.E.); (G.S.F.)
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14
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Golfidis A, Kriengwatana BP, Mounir M, Norton T. An Interactive Feeder to Induce and Assess Emotions from Vocalisations of Chickens. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1386. [PMID: 38731390 PMCID: PMC11083406 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the emotional states of animals is a long-standing research endeavour that has clear applications in animal welfare. Vocalisations are emerging as a promising way to assess both positive and negative emotional states. However, the vocal expression of emotions in birds is a relatively unexplored research area. The goal of this study was to develop an interactive feeding system that would elicit positive and negative emotional states, and collect recordings of the vocal expression of these emotions without human interference. In this paper, the mechatronic design and development of the feeder is described. Design choices were motivated by the desire for the hens to voluntarily interact with the feeder and experience the different stimuli that were designed to induce (1) positive low-arousal, (2) positive high-arousal, (3) negative low-arousal, and (4) negative high-arousal states. The results showed that hens were motivated to engage with the feeder despite the risk of receiving negative stimuli and that this motivation was sustained for at least 1 week. The potential of using the interactive feeder to analyse chicken vocalisations related to emotional valence and arousal is being explored, offering a novel proof of concept in animal welfare research. Preliminary findings suggest that hens vocalised in response to all four stimulus types, with the number of vocalisations, but not the probability of vocalising, distinguishing between low- and high-arousal states. Thus, the proposed animal-computer interaction design has potential to be used as an enrichment device and for future experiments on vocal emotions in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Buddhamas Pralle Kriengwatana
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU LEUVEN), Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (A.G.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Tomas Norton
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU LEUVEN), Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (A.G.); (M.M.)
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15
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Desmarchelier MR. Behavioral Development of Pediatric Exotic Pets and Practical Applications. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2024; 27:431-448. [PMID: 38103997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of epigenetics and the interaction between genes and the environment have moved our understanding of how animal behavior develops from gestation to adulthood, and even throughout generations, to a new level. Studying the natural biology of exotic pets is key to providing them with a rich social and physical environment that will encourage species-specific behaviors. Combining parent-raising with appropriately timed human handling is likely to result in individuals with more resilience to stress. Using operant conditioning techniques early in life to train the animals' basic behaviors gives them control over their environment, empowering them through their social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion R Desmarchelier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, J2S 2M2 Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
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16
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Lourenço da Silva MI, Ulans A, Jacobs L. Pharmacological validation of an attention bias test for conventional broiler chickens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297715. [PMID: 38593170 PMCID: PMC11003672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear and anxiety are considered concerns for animal welfare as they are associated with negative affective states. This study aimed to pharmacologically validate an attention bias test (ABT) for broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a cognitive bias test to determine anxiety. Two-hundred-and-four male Ross 708 broiler chickens were arbitrarily allocated to either the anxiogenic or control treatment at 25 days of age (n = 102/treatment). Birds from the anxiogenic group were administered with 2.5 mg of β-CCM (β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid-N-methylamide [FG 7142]) per kg of body weight through an intraperitoneal injection (0.1 ml/100 g of body weight). Birds from the control group were administered with 9 mg of a saline solution per kg of body weight. During ABT, birds were tested in groups of three (n = 34 groups of three birds/treatment) with commercial feed and mealworms as positive stimuli and a conspecific alarm call as a negative stimulus. Control birds were 45 s faster to begin feeding than anxiogenic birds. Birds from the control group vocalized 40 s later and stepped 57 s later than birds from the anxiogenic group. The occurrence of vigilance behaviors did not differ between treatments. This study was successful in pharmacologically validating an attention bias test for fast-growing broiler chickens, testing three birds simultaneously. Our findings showed that latencies to begin feeding, first vocalization, and first step were valid measures to quantify anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marconi Italo Lourenço da Silva
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Ulans
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Leonie Jacobs
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
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17
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Hu X, Li J, Xin S, Ouyang Q, Li J, Zhu L, Hu J, He H, Liu H, Li L, Hu S, Wang J. Genome sequencing of drake semen micobiome with correlation with their compositions, sources and potential mechanisms affecting semen quality. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103533. [PMID: 38359770 PMCID: PMC10878113 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) technology has greatly promoted the development of the chicken industry. Recently, AI technology has also begun to be used in the duck industry, but there are some problems. Numerous researchers have shown that microbes colonizing in semen can degrade semen quality, and AI can increase the harmful microbial load in hen's reproductive tract. Different from the degraded external genitalia of roosters, drakes have well-developed external genitalia, which may cause drake semen to be more susceptible to microbial contamination. However, information on the compositions, sources, and effects of semen microbes on semen quality remains unknown in drakes. In the current study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect microbial communities in drake semen, environmental swabs, cloacal swabs, and the spermaduct after quantifying the semen quality of drakes to investigate the effects of microbes in the environment, cloaca, and spermaduct on semen microbiota and the relationships between semen microbes and semen quality. Taxonomic analysis showed that the microbes in the semen, environment, cloaca, and spermaduct samples were all classified into 4 phyla and 25 genera. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla. Phyllobacterium only existed in the environment, while Marinococcus did not exist in the cloaca. Of the 24 genera present in semen: Brachybacterium, Brochothrix, Chryseobacterium, Kocuria, Marinococcus, Micrococcus, Rothia, Salinicoccus, and Staphylococcus originated from the environment; Achromobacter, Aerococcus, Corynebacterium, Desemzia, Enterococcus, Jeotgalicoccus, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, and Turicibacter originated from the cloaca; and Agrobacterium, Carnobacterium, Chelativorans, Devosia, Halomonas, and Oceanicaulis originated from the spermaduct. In addition, K-means clustering analysis showed that semen samples could be divided into 2 clusters based on microbial compositions, and compared with cluster 1, the counts of Chelativorans (P < 0.05), Devosia (P < 0.01), Halomonas (P < 0.05), and Oceanicaulis (P < 0.05) were higher in cluster 2, while the sperm viability (P < 0.05), total sperm number (P < 0.01), and semen quality factor (SQF) (P < 0.01) were lower in cluster 2. Furthermore, functional prediction analysis of microbes showed that the activities of starch and sucrose metabolism, phosphotransferase system, ABC transporters, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and quorum sensing pathways between cluster 1 and cluster 2 were significantly different (P < 0.05). Overall, environmental/cloacal microbes resulted in semen contamination, and microbes from the Chelativorans, Devosia, Halomonas, and Oceanicaulis genera may have negative effects on semen quality in drakes by affecting the activities of starch and sucrose metabolism, phosphotransferase system, ABC transporters, and quorum sensing pathways that are associated with carbohydrate metabolism. These data will provide a basis for developing strategies to prevent microbial contamination of drake semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jie Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shuai Xin
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Qingyuan Ouyang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jialu Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Hua He
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China.
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18
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Santacà M, Gatto E, Dadda M, Bruzzone M, Dal Maschio M, Bisazza A. Exploring the Importance of Environmental Complexity for Newly Hatched Zebrafish. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1031. [PMID: 38612270 PMCID: PMC11011065 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The effects of an early impoverished social or physical environment on vertebrate neural development and cognition has been known for decades. While existing studies have focused on the long-term effects, measuring adult cognitive phenotypes, studies on the effects of environmental complexity on the early stages of development are lacking. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) hatchlings are assumed to have minimal interaction with their environment and are routinely reared in small, bare containers. To investigate the effects of being raised under such conditions on development of behaviour and cognition, hatchlings housed for 10 days in either an enriched or a standard environment underwent two cognitive tasks. The results were mixed. Subjects of the two treatments did not differ in performance when required to discriminate two areas. Conversely, we found a significant effect in a number discrimination task, with subjects from impoverished condition performing significantly worse. In both experiments, larvae reared in impoverished environment showed a reduced locomotor activity. Given the effects that enrichment appears to exert on larvae, a third experiment explored whether hatchlings exhibit a spontaneous preference for more complex environments. When offered a choice between a bare setting and one with objects of different shapes and colors, larvae spent over 70% of time in the enriched sector. Deepening these effects of an early impoverished environment on cognitive development is crucial for the welfare of captive zebrafish populations and for enhancing the quality and reliability of studies on larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Santacà
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.D.)
| | - Elia Gatto
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Dadda
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.D.)
| | - Matteo Bruzzone
- Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy (M.D.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Dal Maschio
- Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy (M.D.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Angelo Bisazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (M.D.)
- Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy (M.D.M.)
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19
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Pullin AN, Rufener CB, Millman ST, Tarlton JF, Toscano MJ, Blatchford RA, Makagon MM. Providing elevated structures in the pullet rearing environment affects behavior during initial acclimation to a layer aviary. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103357. [PMID: 38194831 PMCID: PMC10792628 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial abilities of hens are particularly sensitive to development during early life. Experiences in pullet housing may have lasting consequences on adult hens' movements in cage-free environments. We tested whether opportunities to access elevated spaces during rearing improved hens' use of a multitiered aviary. Female Dekalb White pullets were reared in either floor pens (FL), single-tiered aviaries (ST), or 2-tiered aviaries (TT; n = 5 pens/environment) through 16 wk of age. Rearing structures were replaced with identical multitiered aviaries at 17 wk. The distribution of the flock within the aviary and the vertical transitions of 10 focal hens/pen across the aviary were determined from videos recorded during their first (D1) and seventh (D7) day of aviary access, as well as at 19, 23, and 27 wk of age. Prevalence of floor eggs was recorded weekly from 17 to 28 wk of age. On D1, more ST and TT hens utilized the aviary during the daytime (P = 0.0077), made more vertical transitions when searching for a roosting spot in the evening (P = 0.0021), and maintained a consistent distance traveled during transitions compared to FL hens (P = 0.02). These differences disappeared by D7, except that ST and TT hens continued to roost on the highest perches of the aviary more (P < 0.0001) than FL hens through 27 wk of age. FL hens laid more floor eggs than ST and TT hens for the first 2 wk of lay (P < 0.0001). The majority (97.9%) of vertical transitions was controlled. Uncontrolled transitions were highest at D1 and decreased by D7 (P = 0.0009) and were not affected by rearing (P = 0.33). The results suggest that hens reared with minimal height are hesitant to use the laying hen aviaries when they are first transferred. They acclimate within 1 to 2 wk, but continue to roost less in the highest accessible level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Pullin
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Christina B Rufener
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Center for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Agroscope, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - Suzanne T Millman
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - John F Tarlton
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Toscano
- Center for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits, Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Richard A Blatchford
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Maja M Makagon
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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20
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Rentsch AK, Harlander A, Niel L, Siegford JM, Widowski TM. Raising laying hens: housing complexity and genetic strain affect startle reflex amplitude and behavioural response to fear-inducing stimuli. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231075. [PMID: 38511084 PMCID: PMC10951723 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Individual variation in fearfulness can be modified during ontogeny, and high levels of fear can affect animal welfare. We asked whether early-life environmental complexity and genetic strain affect fear behaviour in young laying hens (pullets). Four replicates of brown (B) and white (W) genetic strains (breeds) of layers were each raised in four environmental treatments (housing): conventional cages (Conv) and different rearing aviaries with increasing space and complexity (Low < Mid < High). We used a startle reflex test (weeks 4 and 14) to measure startle amplitude and autonomic response (i.e. comb temperature). A combination of novel arena (NA) and novel object (NO) tests was used (week 14) to assess NA exploration and alertness, latency to approach the centre and initial NO avoidance and investigation. Housing × strain affected startle amplitude (B-Conv, B-High < B-Low, B-Mid; B > W; no housing effect in W) but not autonomic response. Fear behaviour was affected by housing (NA exploration, investigation: Conv < Low, Mid, High; NO avoidance: Conv, High < Low, Mid), strain (NA alertness: B > W, NO avoidance: W > B) and their interaction (NA centre approach: B-Conv < all other groups). We present evidence for strain-specific fear responses depending on early experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K. Rentsch
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alexandra Harlander
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Lee Niel
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Janice M. Siegford
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 South Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI48824-1225, USA
| | - Tina M. Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
- Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, OntarioN1G 2W1, Canada
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Grebey TC, Swanson JC, Widowski TM, Tempelman RJ, Siegford JM. Variation in litter occupancy and dust bathing patterns among layer strains following periods of litter restriction. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103322. [PMID: 38100940 PMCID: PMC10762471 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Producers are moving toward cage-free systems to house laying hens. These include aviary styles with multilevel wire enclosures and litter areas on the floor. In aviaries with doors hens can be confined within the tiered enclosure, which can be done to promote oviposition in nests and prevent hens from laying eggs in litter. However, there are multiple genetic strains of laying hen used in the egg industry, and some show different temporal patterns for key behaviors that could affect when they want to be on litter. For example, though dust bathing by laying hens is typically considered to peak in early afternoon, there may be variation in timing of motivation to dust bathe among strains. Differences in hens' temporal patterns, coupled with aviary configurations or management practices, may restricts birds' ability to perform important behaviors, such as dust bathing (DB), when they would most prefer to do them. Our objective was to determine if there were strain differences in the temporal pattern of DB. We examined the timing of DB in 4 strains of laying hen (Hy-Line Brown [HB], Bovans Brown [BB], DeKalb White [DW], and Hy-Line W36 [W36]) housed in aviaries using 144 hens of each strain per aviary unit (4 units/strain). We recorded the number of hens DB and on litter using instantaneous scan sampling every 5 min using video collected at 26 and 28 wk of age beginning at 11:35 (when litter access began each day) to 20:00 (lights off). Brown strains acclimated to litter access more slowly than white strains. Hens of all strains DB most often soon after gaining access to litter, and more white hens (DW and W36) DB simultaneously and in the presence of more conspecifics. Further examination of diurnal rhythm of behaviors, such as dust bathing, under unconstrained conditions by a range of genetic strains of laying hens is needed to design management practices and aviary styles that best meet hens' needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa C Grebey
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Janice C Swanson
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Tina M Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Robert J Tempelman
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Janice M Siegford
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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22
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Osadcha Y. Haematological parameters of laying hens under different group size. Anat Histol Embryol 2023; 52:919-926. [PMID: 37462257 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The relevance of this study lies in its potential implications for poultry farming practices and animal welfare. Understanding the impact of group size on the blood parameters of hens can provide valuable insights for optimising their health and well-being in farming environments. The aim of the study was an analysis of haematological parameters of laying hens under the influence group size with the same stoking density in analogous cages by design. Hens were kept for 34 weeks in cages of multilevel batteries at different group sizes: I group-93 birds, II group-52 birds, III group-17 birds and IV group-9 birds. The study analysed blood samples from laying hens at 18 and 52 weeks of age. Results showed that reducing the group size from 93 to 52 birds led to a haematological status within the physiological norm, characterized by increased heterophils and decreased monocyte levels. Whereas, the decrease in group size to 17 birds was accompanied by a decrease in the hens' blood content of thrombocytes, an increase of heterophile, a decrease of monocytes and lymphocytes within the physiological norm, as well as an increase in the heterophiles to lymphocytes ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliia Osadcha
- Department of Animal Biology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Zhao S, Cui W, Yin G, Wei H, Li J, Bao J. Effects of Different Auditory Environments on Behavior, Learning Ability, and Fearfulness in 4-Week-Old Laying Hen Chicks. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3022. [PMID: 37835629 PMCID: PMC10572013 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment can improve animal welfare. As a method of environmental enrichment, the effect of different auditory stimulations on the behavior response and welfare of laying hen chicks has yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the impact of various auditory exposures on the behavior, learning ability, and fear response of 4-week-old laying hen chicks. A total of 600 1-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to five different groups: C (control group), LM (Mozart's String Quartets, 65 to 75 dB), LN (recorded ventilation fans and machinery, 65 to 75 dB), HN (recorded ventilation fans and machinery, 85 to 95 dB), and HM (Mozart's String Quartets, 85 to 95 dB). The experiment was conducted from day 1 until the end of the experiment on day 28. Groups LM and LN were exposed to music and noise stimulation ranging from 65 to 75 dB. Groups HN and HM, meanwhile, received noise and music stimulation ranging from 85 to 95 dB. The control group (C) did not receive any additional auditory stimuli. During the experimental period, continuous behavioral recordings were made of each group of chicks from day 22 to day 28. On day 21, the PAL (one-trial passive avoidance learning) task was conducted. On days 23 and 24, OF (open field) and TI (tonic immobility) tests were performed, and the levels of serum CORT (corticosterone) and DA (dopamine) were measured. The results indicated that exposure to music and noise at intensities ranging from 85 to 95 dB could reduce comforting, preening, PAL avoidance rate, the total number of steps and grid crossings of OF, and the concentration of DA in 4 WOA chicks (p < 0.05), increase the freezing times of OF (p < 0.05); 65 to 75 dB of noise stimulation could reduce preening and total number steps of OF in 4 WOA chicks (p < 0.05), increase the freezing times of OF (p < 0.05); and 65 to 75 dB of music exposure could reduce the concentration of CORT in 4 WOA chicks (p < 0.05). Therefore, 65 to 75 dB of music exposure could produce positive effects on chicks and showed relatively low CORT level, whereas 85 to 95 dB of music and noise exposure could reduce comforting and preening behavior, impair learning ability, and increase the fear responses of chicks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China; (S.Z.); (W.C.); (G.Y.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Weiguo Cui
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China; (S.Z.); (W.C.); (G.Y.)
| | - Guoan Yin
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China; (S.Z.); (W.C.); (G.Y.)
| | - Haidong Wei
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China;
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China;
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
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Anderson MG, Johnson AM, Jacobs L, Ali ABA. Influence of Perch-Provision Timing on Anxiety and Fearfulness in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3003. [PMID: 37835608 PMCID: PMC10572007 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Perches can enhance laying hen welfare, but their effectiveness might be age-dependent. We investigated early and late perch access effects on anxiety and fear in pullets through attention bias (AB) and tonic immobility (TI) tests. Pullets (n = 728) were raised with or without multi-level perches: CP (continuous perch access: 0-37 weeks), EP (early perch access: 0-17 weeks), LP (late perch access: 17-37 weeks), and NP (no perch access). AB was conducted in weeks 21 and 37 (n = 84/week), and TI was performed in weeks 20, 25, and 37 (n = 112/week). CP hens fed quicker than EP, LP, and NP in AB at weeks 21 and 37 (p ≤ 0.05). CP and NP feeding latencies were stable, while EP and LP fed faster at week 37 (p ≤ 0.05). CP had the shortest TI at week 20 (p < 0.05). CP and LP had the shortest TI in weeks 25 and 37 (all p ≤ 0.05). Unlike NP, CP reduced anxiety and fear. Adding perches during laying (LP) raised anxiety at week 21, adapting by week 37, and removing pre-laying perches (EP) worsened fear at weeks 20 and 25 and anxiety at week 21, recovering by week 37. Adding or removing perches prior to the lay phase increased fear and anxiety, an effect that disappeared by week 37 of age. Our study indicates that continuous perch access benefits animal welfare compared to no perch access at all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory G. Anderson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.J.)
| | - Alexa M. Johnson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.J.)
| | - Leonie Jacobs
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
| | - Ahmed B. A. Ali
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.J.)
- Animal Behavior and Management, Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
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25
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Kliphuis S, Manet MWE, Goerlich VC, Nordquist RE, Vernooij H, Brand HVD, Tuyttens FAM, Rodenburg TB. Early-life interventions to prevent feather pecking and reduce fearfulness in laying hens. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102801. [PMID: 37343352 PMCID: PMC10404761 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe feather pecking, the pulling out of feathers of conspecifics, is a major welfare issue in laying hens. Possible underlying causes are fearfulness and lack of foraging opportunities. Because early life is a crucial stage in behavioral development, adapting the incubation and rearing environment to the birds' needs may reduce fearfulness and prevent the development of feather pecking. In a 2 × 2 factorial design study, we investigated whether a green light-dark cycle throughout incubation, which resembles natural incubation circumstances more than the standard dark incubation, and foraging enrichment with live larvae during rearing reduce fearfulness and feather pecking and increase foraging behavior of laying hen pullets from an early age onwards. In this 2-batch experiment, 1,100 ISA Brown eggs were incubated under either 0 h of light/24 h of darkness or 12 h of green LED light/12 h of darkness. After hatching, 400 female chicks (200 per batch) were housed in 44 pens (8-10 chicks per pen). During the entire rearing phase (0-17 wk of age), half of the pens received black soldier fly larvae in a food puzzle as foraging enrichment. We assessed fear of novel objects and humans, feather pecking, plumage condition, foraging behavior, and recovery time after a 3-fold vaccination (acute stressor). A slight increase in the number of foraging bouts was only seen with larvae provisioning (rate ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.29, P = 0.008). Neither lighted incubation nor larvae provisioning affected fearfulness, feather pecking, plumage condition or recovery time after vaccination. In conclusion, the present study showed no effects of light during incubation and minor effects of foraging enrichment during rearing on the behavior of laying hen pullets. Further research is recommended on other welfare aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Kliphuis
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Maëva W E Manet
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vivian C Goerlich
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E Nordquist
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Vernooij
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Henry van den Brand
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank A M Tuyttens
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Animals in Science and Society, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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26
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Dumontier L, Janczak AM, Smulders TV, Nordgreen J. Effects of the rearing environment complexity on laying hens’ spatial cognition: A holeboard test approach. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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27
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Pillan G, Xiccato G, Ciarelli C, Bordignon F, Concollato A, Pascual A, Birolo M, Pirrone F, Sirri F, Averόs X, Estevez I, Trocino A. Factors affecting space use by laying hens in a cage-free aviary system: effect of nest lighting at pullet housing and of curtain nest color during laying. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102524. [PMID: 36805400 PMCID: PMC9969319 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
At 17 wk of age, 1,800 Lohman brown hens were housed in 8 pens of an experimental aviary system, specifically set up for the purposes of the present study, and kept until 26 wk without or with nest lighting (lights inside the nest 1.5 h before the lighting of the installation) for training in the nest use. Then, at 27 wk, 4 combinations of nest curtains were adopted to evaluate the effects on hens' distribution, that is, nests with red (RR) or yellow (YY) curtains at all tiers; nests with red and yellow curtains at the first and second tier, respectively (RY); or nests with yellow and red curtains at the first and second tier, respectively (YR). The use of enlightened compared to dark nests at housing increased the oviposition rate (P < 0.001) and decreased the rate of broken (P < 0.001) and dirty eggs (P < 0.05) from 27 to 45 wk, while increasing the rate of eggs laid inside the nests (P < 0.001). The presence of yellow nest curtains increased the rate of hens on the floor in pens YY and YR compared to pens RR and RY (35.3 and 35.5% vs. 34.1 and 33.3%, respectively; P = 0.05) and the rate of floor eggs in pens YR (2.23% vs. 1.63 and 1.65% in pens RR and RY; P < 0.05). In pens RY, a higher rate of eggs was always found on the second tier compared to the first one with the most inhomogeneous distribution compared to pens RR, YY, and YR (+10.8 vs. +3.4, +1.9, and +4.6 percentage points of eggs laid on the second tier compared to the first one, respectively). In conclusion, nest lighting at housing trained hens to the use of nests while improving egg production in terms of quantity and quality. The use of yellow curtains on nests moved hens between the different levels of the aviary but this was not associated with an increased nest use for laying.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Pillan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - G. Xiccato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - C. Ciarelli
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Bordignon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | | | - A. Pascual
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - M. Birolo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Pirrone
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - F. Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - X. Averόs
- Animal Production Department, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - I. Estevez
- Animal Production Department, NEIKER, 01192 Arkaute, Spain,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - A. Trocino
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy,Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy,Corresponding author:
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28
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Meyer MM, Bobeck EA. Undergraduate student attitudes to current poultry industry issues over four semesters: surveying an introductory poultry science course. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:6987166. [PMID: 36638081 PMCID: PMC9838800 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual background and demographics affect student perceptions of animal production. Understanding how science-based education alters these opinions is a critical aspect of improving university instruction as well as increasing consumer engagement in the poultry industry. The study objectives were to quantify the effects of student background, career interests, and science-based instruction on opinions regarding current issues in the poultry industry. Undergraduate students enrolled in a one semester poultry science course at Iowa State University between 2018 and 2021 were anonymously surveyed at the start and end of the semester as part of a 4-yr study. Students who opted to take the survey answered three demographic questions indicating their 1) livestock experience, 2) sex, and 3) career goals. The body of the survey consisted of 16 "poultry issue statements" where students were directed to mark a vertical dash on a 130 mm horizontal line indicating their level of agreement with each statement. Post-survey collection, the line was separated into 5 sections for discussion: responses within 0%-20% indicated strongly disagree, 21%-40% disagree, 41%-60% neutral, 61%-80% agree, and 81%-100% indicated strongly agree. Responses were analyzed using Proc Mixed in SAS Version 9.4 with a Tukey-Kramer adjustment for all pairwise comparisons using main effects including demographic categories, education (pre- or post-instruction), and year the survey was taken. Responses to various issue statements were affected by students' livestock experience (P < 0.05; 6 out of 16 statements affected), sex (P < 0.05; 5 out of 16 statements), and ultimate career goals (P < 0.05; 4 out of 16 statements). Pre- vs. post-education responses differed significantly in 6 out of 16 statements (P < 0.05), and in 2 out of 16 poultry issue statements, the year of instruction affected student response (P < 0.05). These data indicate that individual student background, sex, and differing career interests impact opinions of current topics in the broiler and layer industries. Further, science-based education as well as the year the course was taken over consecutive semesters significantly altered student opinions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan M Meyer
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames IA, USA
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Huanhong K, Thomya S, Teerakitchotikan P, Lumsangkul C, Tangpao T, Prasad SK, Prasad KS, Sommano SR. Volatile organic compound emissions in free-range chicken production: Impacts on environment, welfare and sustainability. AIMS AGRICULTURE AND FOOD 2023; 8:1071-1091. [DOI: 10.3934/agrfood.2023058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
<abstract>
<p>The increasing demand for free-range poultry products has led to a surge in their availability in the market, prompting a potential decline in premium prices associated with these products. This shift places considerable pressure on upstream costs in chicken production. A comprehensive under-standing of its impact on the environment is essential to ensure the success of commercial and industrial free-range chicken production. However, there exists a significant knowledge gap concerning the emission and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from organic-free range chicken, and their environmental implications have yet to be understood. We aim to address this critical knowledge gap by elucidating the role of VOC emissions in chicken production and assessing their impact on human and animal health, as well as environmental challenges. Understanding the implications of VOC emissions is essential for promoting sustainable and responsible free-range chicken farming practices. By identifying the sources of VOC emissions and their impacts, stakeholders can implement appropriate measures to optimize air quality and enhance the well-being of chickens and workers. Ultimately, this review highlights the role of VOCs in animal production, providing valuable insights for improving the efficiency, environmental sustainability and welfare aspects of free-range chicken farming.</p>
</abstract>
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiattisak Huanhong
- Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Plant Bioactive Compound Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sureerat Thomya
- Postharvest Technology Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Plant Bioactive Compound Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Patipon Teerakitchotikan
- Plant Bioactive Compound Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Chompunut Lumsangkul
- Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Multidisciplinary Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Tibet Tangpao
- Plant Bioactive Compound Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Shashanka K Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kollur Shiva Prasad
- Department of Sciences, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru campus, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sarana Rose Sommano
- Plant Bioactive Compound Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Cluster of Agro Bio-Circular-Green Industry (Agro BCG), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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30
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Jacobs L, Blatchford RA, de Jong IC, Erasmus MA, Levengood M, Newberry RC, Regmi P, Riber AB, Weimer SL. Enhancing their quality of life: environmental enrichment for poultry. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102233. [PMID: 36351344 PMCID: PMC9647224 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Providing environmental enrichments that increase environmental complexity can benefit poultry welfare. This Poultry Science Association symposium paper is structured around four themes on 1) poultry preferences and affective states 2) species-specific behavior, including play behavior and the relationship between behavior, activity level and walking ability, 3) environmental enrichment and its relationship with indicators of welfare, and 4) a case study focusing on the application of enrichments in commercial broiler chicken production. For effective enrichment strategies, the birds' perspective matters most, and we need to consider individual variation, social dynamics, and previous experience when assessing these strategies. Play behavior can be a valuable indicator of positive affect, and while we do not yet know how much play would be optimal, absence of play suggests a welfare deficit. Activity levels and behavior can be improved by environmental modifications and prior research has shown that the activity level of broilers can be increased, at least temporarily, by increasing the environmental complexity. However, more research on impacts of enrichments on birds' resilience, on birds in commercial conditions, and on slow(er)-growing strains is needed. Finally, incorporating farmers' expertise can greatly benefit enrichment design and implementation on commercial farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jacobs
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - R A Blatchford
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - I C de Jong
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M A Erasmus
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IA, USA
| | | | - R C Newberry
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - P Regmi
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - A B Riber
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - S L Weimer
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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Western Hognose Snakes ( Heterodon nasicus) Prefer Environmental Enrichment. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233347. [PMID: 36496867 PMCID: PMC9739432 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental enrichment needs of snakes are often disregarded. Using preference testing, we aimed to shed light on the enrichment preferences of a popular pet species, the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). Snakes' enclosures were divided into enriched and standard sides. The enriched half had substrate for burrowing, interactive stimuli, and a large water dish. The standard half had paper towel substrate and a small water dish. Each side also contained a single shelter. We provided belly heat to create a thermal gradient on one side of the cage. Snakes were observed for 6 days, four times daily. We predicted a preference for enriched conditions and, as snakes are ectothermic, a preference for the warmer side. Snakes were additionally given an exploration assay, to explore whether differences in preference for environmental enrichment interact with boldness levels. We found that hognose snakes preferred enrichment, and the strength of this preference increased over time. Preference for enrichment was stronger when the enriched side was cooler. This may be due to the burrowing tendencies of these snakes. We found no relationship between preference and boldness. These findings emphasise the importance of preference testing in establishing research-informed enrichment opportunities for reptiles.
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Pullin AN, Farrar VS, Loxterkamp JW, Jones CT, Calisi RM, Horback K, Lein PJ, Makagon MM. Providing height to pullets does not influence hippocampal dendritic morphology or brain-derived neurotrophic factor at the end of the rearing period. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102161. [PMID: 36252500 PMCID: PMC9579382 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pullets reared with diverse behavioral experiences are faster to learn spatial cognition tasks and acclimate more successfully to laying environments with elevated structures. However, the neural underpinnings of the improved spatial abilities are unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether providing structural height in the rearing environment affected the development of the hippocampus and whether hippocampal neural metrics correlated with individual behavior on spatial cognition tasks. Female Dekalb White pullets were reared in a floor pen (FL), single-tiered aviary (ST), or two-tiered aviary (TT; 5 pens/treatment). Pullets completed floor-based Y-maze and elevated visual cliff tasks to evaluate depth perception at 15 and 16 wk, respectively. At 16 wk, brains were removed for Golgi-Cox staining (n = 12 for FL, 13 for ST, 13 total pullets for TT; 2 to 3 pullets/pen) and qPCR to measure gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; n = 10 for FL, 11 for ST, and 9 pullets for TT). Rearing environment did not affect various morphometric outcomes of dendritic arborization, including Sholl profiles; mean dendritic length; sum dendritic length; number of dendrites, terminal tips, or nodes; soma size; or BDNF mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Hippocampal subregion did affect dendritic morphology, with multipolar neurons from the ventral subregion differing in several characteristics from multipolar neurons in the dorsomedial or dorsolateral subregions (P < 0.05). Neural metrics did not correlate with individual differences in behavior during the spatial cognition tasks. Overall, providing height during rearing did not affect dendritic morphology or BDNF at 16 wk of age, but other metrics in the hippocampus or other brain regions warrant further investigation. Additionally, other structural or social components or the role of animal personality are areas of future interest for how rearing environments influence pullet behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N. Pullin
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Corresponding author:
| | - Victoria S. Farrar
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jason W. Loxterkamp
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Claire T. Jones
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Rebecca M. Calisi
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kristina Horback
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Maja M. Makagon
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA,Animal Behavior Graduate Group, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Bonnefous C, Collin A, Guilloteau LA, Guesdon V, Filliat C, Réhault-Godbert S, Rodenburg TB, Tuyttens FAM, Warin L, Steenfeldt S, Baldinger L, Re M, Ponzio R, Zuliani A, Venezia P, Väre M, Parrott P, Walley K, Niemi JK, Leterrier C. Welfare issues and potential solutions for laying hens in free range and organic production systems: A review based on literature and interviews. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:952922. [PMID: 35990274 PMCID: PMC9390482 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.952922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In free-range and organic production systems, hens can make choices according to their needs and desires, which is in accordance with welfare definitions. Nonetheless, health and behavioral problems are also encountered in these systems. The aim of this article was to identify welfare challenges observed in these production systems in the EU and the most promising solutions to overcome these challenges. It is based on a review of published literature and research projects complemented by interviews with experts. We selected EU specific information for welfare problems, however, the selected literature regarding solutions is global. Free range use may increase the risk of infection by some bacteria, viruses and parasites. Preventive methods include avoiding contamination thanks to biosecurity measures and strengthening animals' natural defenses against these diseases which can be based on nutritional means with new diet components such as insect-derived products, probiotics and prebiotics. Phytotherapy and aromatherapy can be used as preventive and curative medicine and vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics and pesticides. Bone quality in pullets and hens prevents keel deviations and is favored by exercise in the outdoor range. Free range use also lead to higher exposure to variable weather conditions and predators, therefore shadow, fences and guard animals can be used to prevent heat stress and predation respectively. Granting a free range provides opportunities for the expression of many behaviors and yet many hens usually stay close to the house. Providing the birds with trees, shelters or attractive plants can increase range use. Small flock sizes, early experiences of enrichment and personality traits have also been found to enhance range use. Severe feather pecking can occur in free range production systems, although flocks using the outdoor area have better plumage than indoors. While many prevention strategies are facilitated in free range systems, the influence of genetics, prenatal and nutritional factors in free range hens still need to be investigated. This review provides information about practices that have been tested or still need to be explored and this information can be used by stakeholders and researchers to help them evaluate the applicability of these solutions for welfare improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Collin
- INRAE, Université de Tours, BOA, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Vanessa Guesdon
- JUNIA, Comportement Animal et Systèmes d'Elevage, Lille, France
| | | | | | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Frank A. M. Tuyttens
- ILVO, Instituut voor Landbouw-, Visserij- en Voedingsonderzoek, Melle, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Sanna Steenfeldt
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Martina Re
- AIAB, Associazone Italiana per l'Agricultura Biologica, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Zuliani
- Veterinari Senza Frontiere Italia, Sede c/o Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie viale dell'Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Pietro Venezia
- Veterinari Senza Frontiere Italia, Sede c/o Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie viale dell'Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Minna Väre
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and Environment, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Keith Walley
- Harper Adams University, Newport, United Kingdom
| | - Jarkko K. Niemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and Environment, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Christine Leterrier
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
- *Correspondence: Christine Leterrier
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Increasing Environmental Complexity by Providing Different Types of Litter and Perches during Early Rearing Boosts Coping Abilities in Domestic Fowl Chicks. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151969. [PMID: 35953957 PMCID: PMC9367416 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The benefits of rearing chicks in complex environments rather than barren environments are well established. However, the typical rearing environments for modern laying hens are still considerably more barren than the complex forest habitat of their ancestors. This small-scale experimental study investigated whether giving chicks of white Bovans Robust the possibility to express choices between different variants of the same resource could result in them being better able to cope with challenges, as well as being better able to make the most of new opportunities. We found that chicks with access to different types of litter and perches were less fearful, less chronically stressed, and were better prepared to cope with pathogenic challenges. Furthermore, they were more successful in a repeated opportunity test, implying an improved learning ability. Overall, the results suggest that rearing laying hen chicks in an environment with access to variation in relevant resources could be a simple and feasible way to increase complexity under commercial conditions. This input could result in them being more resistant to infection and better able to adapt to novel situations later in life. Abstract Early experience of a complex environment can improve biologically relevant traits related to coping abilities. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects have not been well explored. We hypothesized that giving chicks possibilities to express choices within relevant resources could be an important part of the mechanism, as well as a novel way to increase environmental complexity. In a balanced design, laying hen hatchlings of the white hybrid Bovans Robust were reared in a “single-choice” environment (single litter and perch type) or a “multi-choice” environment (four different litter and perch types). Immunological and behavioral indicators of chicks’ coping abilities were explored in this experimental study at three weeks of age. Chicks from “multi-choice” environments had shorter durations of tonic immobility, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, higher natural antibody concentrations, and were more successful in gaining novel food rewards in a repeated opportunity test. These results imply that chicks having access to variation within resource types were less fearful, experienced less chronic stress, would be more able to cope with pathogenic challenges, and potentially had an improved learning ability. To conclude, the more complex environment, achieved by increasing chicks’ possibilities to choose, seemed to make chicks better prepared for potential challenges, boosting their adaptive capacities and their ability to make the most of opportunities.
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Productive performance, perching behavior, keel bone and other health aspects in dual-purpose compared to conventional laying hens. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102095. [PMID: 36095865 PMCID: PMC9472069 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several alternatives to avoid killing male day-old chicks are available. One of these alternatives is to keep dual-purpose chicken strains. The aim of this study was to compare dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD) with conventional laying hens (Lohmann Tradition, LT) in terms of performance, animal welfare parameters such as keel bone state and foot pad dermatitis, and perching behavior. We expected a generally equal or even better performance of the dual-purpose hens except for laying performance. Four hundred female day-old chicks were housed in 6 pens (3 pens per strain) and reared until 54 wk of age. Each pen offered a littered area, elevated slatted manure pit, elevated wooden frame with perches or grids and nest boxes on the manure pit. The wooden frame was alternately equipped with perches or grids. The elevated manure pit as well as the elevated structure was accessible via ramp. Productive performance parameters like mortality, total number of eggs and body weight were assessed periodically. In week 49, 132 hens (66 hens per strain) were randomly selected for radiography of the keel bone and assessment of plumage and foot pad state. Perching behavior was analyzed via scan sampling during rearing and laying period, respectively. Statistical analyzes were done with Linear Mixed Effect Model and General Linear Mixed Model. LD had a higher radiographic density than LT hens (P = 0.0016), other keel bone parameters (fracture score, P = 0.36; deformation, P = 0.83) showed no differences. The vast majority of fractures occurring in both strains were located in the caudal part of the keel bone. During the laying period, usage of elevated structures was higher with grids compared to perches (P < 0.001) and in LD compared to LT (P = 0.01). Some animal welfare problems were less frequent in LD compared to LT hens while other problems did not differ between the 2 strains or were even more frequent in LD hens. Grids may be more suitable as resting area than perches and may possibly help to decrease the prevalence of keel bone damage.
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36
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Hu J, Johnson TA, Zhang H, Cheng HW. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Gut Microbiota Modulates Conspecific Aggression in Diversely Selected Laying Hens. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061081. [PMID: 35744601 PMCID: PMC9230770 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating brain function, influencing psychological and emotional stability. The correlations between conspecific aggression, gut microbiota, and physiological homeostasis were further studied in inbred laying chicken lines, 63 and 72, which were diversely selected for Marek’s disease, and they also behave differently in aggression. Ten sixty-week-old hens from each line were sampled for blood, brain, and cecal content. Neurotransmitters, cytokines, corticosterone, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratios were determined. Cecal microbiota compositions were determined by bacterial 16s rRNA sequencing, and functional predictions were performed. Our data showed that the central serotonin and tryptophan levels were higher in line 63 compared to line 72 (p < 0.05). Plasma corticosterone, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, and central norepinephrine were lower in line 63 (p < 0.05). The level of tumor necrosis factor α tended to be higher in line 63. Faecalibacterium, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Bacteriodes were enriched in line 63 birds, while Clostridiales vadin BB60, Alistipes, Mollicutes RF39 were dominated in line 72. From the predicted bacterial functional genes, the kynurenine pathway was upregulated in line 72. These results suggested a functional linkage of the line differences in serotonergic activity, stress response, innate immunity, and gut microbiota populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Hu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Timothy A. Johnson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Correspondence: (T.A.J.); (H.-W.C.)
| | - Huanmin Zhang
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA;
| | - Heng-Wei Cheng
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Correspondence: (T.A.J.); (H.-W.C.)
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Thanabalan A, Ellis J, Kiarie EG. A Meta-Analysis on the Significance of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Bone Development and Quality in Egg- and Meat-Type Chickens. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.875944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Poultry egg and meat production continue to be optimized for productivity and efficiency. However, genetic selection focusing on production efficiency has overlooked other aspects critical to bird wellbeing, such as skeletal development. As a result, modern birds are more prone to leg weakness, osteoporosis, and, subsequently, fractures. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) enrichment has been proposed to benefit bone development, quality, and strength. However, there is a lack of conclusive and quantitative results across studies. Therefore, a meta-analysis approach was used to evaluate published studies to determine the effects of dietary n-3 PUFA enrichment on bone quality in laying- and meat-type birds. Publications were retrieved from multiple sources (databases and hand searching), and ten studies were selected for inclusion in the final dataset. A model to predict tibial bone ash content (BAC) was developed in Proc MIXED of SAS, treating the study as a random effect. The dietary concentration of n-3 PUFA, n-3 PUFA:n-6 PUFA ratio, calcium (Ca), phosphorus and feeding duration (days) were used as independent variables to predict BAC. The final model included the dietary n-6:n-3 FA ratio and the calcium concentration in the diet. The final model was selected based on the corrected Akaike Information Criteria, the root mean square prediction error (0.999) and its components, and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) (0.99). In laying-type birds, BAC was reduced by n-3 PUFA (p = 0.001) but was increased by Ca (p = 0.014). In contrast, in broiler chickens, BAC was increased by n-3 PUFA (p = 0.001) and decreased by Ca (p = 0.014). The influence of n-3 PUFA:n-6 PUFA ratio on tibia BAC in laying-type birds was not statistically significant (p = 0.505), whereas in meat-type birds, the influence of PUFA ratio was significant (p < 0.05). These results may indicate a low biological significance in laying-type birds but not in meat-type birds.
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Bird Welfare in Zoos and Aquariums: General Insights across Industries. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg3020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare is a priority across accredited zoological institutions; however, historically, research has been prioritized for mammals. Bird-focused studies accounted for less than 10% of welfare research in zoos and aquariums over the last ten years. Due to the lack of scientific publications on bird welfare, zoo scientists and animal practitioners can look to other industries such as agriculture, laboratories, and companion animal research for insight. This qualitative review highlights findings across industries to inform animal care staff and scientists on the welfare needs of birds within zoos and aquariums. Specifically, the review includes an overview of research on different topics and a summary of key findings across nine resources that affect bird welfare. We also highlight areas where additional research is necessary. Future welfare research in zoos and aquariums should prioritize studies that consider a diversity of bird species across topics and work to identify animal-based measures with empirical evidence. Moving forward, research from other industries can help develop innovative research on bird welfare within zoos and aquariums.
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Effect of Providing Environmental Enrichment into Aviary House on the Welfare of Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091165. [PMID: 35565591 PMCID: PMC9103546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of providing environmental enrichment materials—pumice stone and alfalfa hay—to laying hens in the aviary system. A total of 2196 40-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to three treatment groups: (1) no enrichment (control; CON), (2) enrichment with pumice stone (PS), and (3) enrichment with alfalfa hay (HAY). Each treatment comprised four replicates of 183 hens each, and four of the same materials were provided per replicate. The experiment lasted for 26 weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. As a result, the PS and HAY groups demonstrated increased egg production (p < 0.001). The HAY group showed a reduced rate of mislaid eggs (p < 0.01) and produced low egg weight and pale-yellow yolk (p < 0.05). Both enrichment materials decreased blood creatinine (CRE) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood and resulted in a significantly lower corticosterone (CORT) level (p < 0.05). However, the feather condition scores for the laying hens were similar across all treatments (p > 0.05). In summary, although pumice stone and alfalfa hay are effective in alleviating stress and improving the production of laying hens, additional environmental improvement studies are needed to contribute to reducing pecking behaviors in poultry farming.
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Michel V, Berk J, Bozakova N, van der Eijk J, Estevez I, Mircheva T, Relic R, Rodenburg TB, Sossidou EN, Guinebretière M. The Relationships between Damaging Behaviours and Health in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:986. [PMID: 35454233 PMCID: PMC9029779 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the ban in January 2012 of conventional cages for egg production in the European Union (Council Directive 1999/74/EC), alternative systems such as floor, aviary, free-range, and organic systems have become increasingly common, reaching 50% of housing for hens in 2019. Despite the many advantages associated with non-cage systems, the shift to a housing system where laying hens are kept in larger groups and more complex environments has given rise to new challenges related to management, health, and welfare. This review examines the close relationships between damaging behaviours and health in modern husbandry systems for laying hens. These new housing conditions increase social interactions between animals. In cases of suboptimal rearing and/or housing and management conditions, damaging behaviour or infectious diseases are likely to spread to the whole flock. Additionally, health issues, and therefore stimulation of the immune system, may lead to the development of damaging behaviours, which in turn may result in impaired body conditions, leading to health and welfare issues. This raises the need to monitor both behaviour and health of laying hens in order to intervene as quickly as possible to preserve both the welfare and health of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Michel
- Direction de la Stratégie et des Programmes, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jutta Berk
- Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 29223 Celle, Germany;
| | - Nadya Bozakova
- Department of General Animal Breeding, Animal Hygiene, Ethology and Animal Protection Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Student’s Campus, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Jerine van der Eijk
- Animal Health and Welfare, Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Inma Estevez
- Department of Animal Production, Neiker-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, 01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain;
| | - Teodora Mircheva
- Section of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Renata Relic
- Faculty of agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Evangelia N. Sossidou
- Laboratory of Farm Animal Health and Welfare, Veterinary Research Institute, Ellinikos Georgikos Or-Ganismos-DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Maryse Guinebretière
- Epidemiology, Health and Welfare Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), 22440 Ploufragan, France;
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Freeing the hens: Workshop outcomes for applying ethology to the development of cage-free housing systems in the commercial egg industry. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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42
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Kriengwatana BP, Mott R, ten Cate C. Music for animal welfare: a critical review & conceptual framework. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Effects of the genotype, cage type and time period on the behaviour of laying hybrids at the same egg production level. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:149. [PMID: 35353204 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03157-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hybrids with different morphological and yield characteristics are used in the table egg production. There is no change in the cage systems according to the different hybrids in the regulation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of genotype (brown laying hybrids (BLH) and white laying hybrids (WLH)) and cage type (conventional and enriched cages) on behaviours of hens at the 90% egg production level. Behavioural data were recorded with video cameras during the 4 days. Data were analysed in 6 time periods as 05.00-08.00 am, 09.00-12.00 am, 01.00-04.00 pm, 05.00-08.00 pm, 09.00-12.00 pm and 01.00-04.00 am. Behaviour inspection each hour was divided into 4 quarters and the first 3 min of each quarter were evaluated. Behaviours were represented as the proportion of the total behaviour performed in the time period by a given hen. There was no interaction between hens' behaviour and the genotype at the same egg production level. The frequency of feeding behaviour was found to be significantly lower (P < 0.01), but comfort behaviour was higher (P < 0.05) in hens that were reared in the enriched cages. Only preening was seen as a comfort behaviour due to the cage size. The feeding, drinking, pecking hen, comforting, walking, sitting, resting and perching behaviours changed during the day (P < 0.01). Especially, the transition from light to dark influenced the perching behaviour negatively. No interactions were detected amongst genotype, cage type and time period. Feeding behaviour decreased and the comfort behaviour increased in the hens that were reared in the enriched cages because there were materials that would exhibit different behaviours. Hens in the enriched cage could not suddenly adapt to the dark and light period. For this reason, transitions to light and dark periods in poultry houses should be provided gradually, as in natural life.
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Effects of Key Farm Management Practices on Pullets Welfare—A Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060729. [PMID: 35327126 PMCID: PMC8944683 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Studies on animal behavior and welfare have reported that improving the management practices of pullets can enhance their growth, as well as their physical and mental condition, thus benefiting the productivity of laying hens. Therefore, in this review, we elaborated on the key effective farm management measures, including housing type and matching, flock status, and environmental management and enrichment, to provide the necessary information to incorporate welfare into chicken rearing and its importance in production, with the aim of improving the quantity and quality of chicken products. Abstract Studies on animal behavior and welfare have reported that improving the management practices of pullets can enhance their growth, as well as their physical and mental condition, thus benefiting the productivity of laying hens. There is growing confidence in the international community to abandon the conventional practices of “cage-rearing and beak-trimming” to improve the welfare of chickens. Therefore, in this review, we summarized some of the effective poultry management practices that have provided welfare benefits for pullets. The results are as follows: 1. Maintaining similar housing conditions at different periods alleviates fear and discomfort among pullets; 2. Pullets reared under cage-free systems have better physical conditions and temperaments than those reared in cage systems, and they are more suitable to be transferred to similar housing to lay eggs; 3. Improving flock uniformity in appearance and body size has reduced the risk of pecking and injury; 4. Maintaining an appropriate population (40–500 birds) has reduced flock aggressiveness; 5. A combination of 8–10 h of darkness and 5–30 lux of light-intensity exposure via natural or warm white LED light has achieved a welfare–performance balance in pullets. (This varies by age, strain, and activities.); 6. Dark brooders (mimicking mother hens) have alleviated fear and pecking behaviors in pullets; 7. The air quality of the chicken house has been effectively improved by optimizing feed formulation and ventilation, and by reducing fecal accumulation and fermentation; 8. Complex environments (with litter, perches, straw bales, slopes, platforms, outdoor access, etc.) have stimulated the activities of chickens and have produced good welfare effects. In conclusion, the application of comprehensive management strategies has improved the physical and mental health of pullets, which has, in turn, improved the quantity and quality of poultry products.
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van der Meer E, Dullemont H, Chen W, Chang A, Chen C, Pei KJ, Lai Y. Live capture and handling of Taiwanese leopard cats
Prionailurus bengalensis
: an evaluation of trap designs and capture protocol. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esther van der Meer
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Hans Dullemont
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Wen‐Li Chen
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Ai‐Mei Chang
- Inst. of Animal Vaccine Technology, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Chen‐Chih Chen
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Kurtis Jai‐Chyi Pei
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Ching Lai
- Dept of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, Huafan Univ. New Taipei City Taiwan
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Learning Ability and Hippocampal Transcriptome Responses to Early and Later Life Environmental Complexities in Dual-Purpose Chicks. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050668. [PMID: 35268235 PMCID: PMC8909157 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we hypothesized that complex early-life environments enhance the learning ability and the hippocampal plasticity when the individual is faced with future life challenges. Chicks were divided into a barren environment group (BG), a litter materials group (LG), and a perches and litter materials group (PLG) until 31 days of age, and then their learning abilities were tested following further rearing in barren environments for 22 days. In response to the future life challenge, the learning ability showed no differences among the three groups. In the hippocampal KEGG pathways, the LG chicks showed the downregulation of neural-related genes neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) and neurexins (NRXN1) in the cell adhesion molecules pathway compared to the BG (p < 0.05). Immune-related genes TLR2 in Malaria and Legionellosis and IL-18 and IL18R1 in the TNF signaling pathway were upregulated in the LG compared to in the BG (p < 0.05). Compared to the BG, the PLG displayed upregulated TLR2A in Malaria (p < 0.05). The PLG showed upregulated neural-related gene, i.e., neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-7-like (CHRNA8) in the nicotine addiction pathway and secretagogin (SCGN) gene expression, as compared to the LG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, early-life environmental complexities had limited effects on the learning ability in response to a future life challenge. Early-life perches and litter materials can improve neural- and immune-related gene expression and functional pathways in the hippocampus of chicks.
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Zurak D, Slovenec P, Janječić Z, Bedeković XD, Pintar J, Kljak K. Overview on recent findings of nutritional and non-nutritional factors affecting egg yolk pigmentation. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2022.2046447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Zurak
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - P. Slovenec
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Z. Janječić
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - X, D. Bedeković
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J. Pintar
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - K. Kljak
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
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Bari MS, Kheravii SK, Bajagai YS, Wu SB, Keerqin C, Campbell DLM. Cecal Microbiota of Free-Range Hens Varied With Different Rearing Enrichments and Ranging Patterns. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:797396. [PMID: 35222302 PMCID: PMC8881003 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.797396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-range pullets are reared indoors but the adult hens can go outside which is a mismatch that may reduce adaptation in the laying environment. Rearing enrichments might enhance pullet development and adaptations to subsequent free-range housing with impact on behavior and health measures including gut microbiota. Adult free-range hens vary in range use which may also be associated with microbiota composition. A total of 1,700 Hy-Line Brown® chicks were reared indoors across 16 weeks with three enrichment treatment groups: “control” with standard litter housing, “novelty” with weekly changed novel objects, and “structural” with custom-designed perching structures in the pens. At 15 weeks, 45 pullet cecal contents were sampled before moving 1,386 pullets to the free-range housing system. At 25 weeks, range access commenced, and movements were tracked via radio-frequency identification technology. At 65 weeks, 91 hens were selected based on range use patterns (“indoor”: no ranging; “high outdoor”: daily ranging) across all rearing enrichment groups and cecal contents were collected for microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing at V3-V4 regions. The most common bacteria in pullets were unclassified Barnesiellaceae, Prevotella, Blautia and Clostridium and in hens Unclassified, Ruminococcus, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, unclassified Bacteroidales, unclassified Paraprevotellaceae YRC22, and Blautia. The microbial alpha diversity was not significant within the enrichment/ranging groups (pullets: P ≥ 0.17, hen rearing enrichment groups: P ≥ 0.06, hen ranging groups: P ≥ 0.54), but beta diversity significantly varied between these groups (pullets: P ≤ 0.002, hen rearing enrichment groups: P ≤ 0.001, hen ranging groups: P ≤ 0.008). Among the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the propionic acid content was higher (P = 0.03) in the novelty group of pullets than the control group. There were no other significant differences in the SCFA contents between the rearing enrichment groups (all P ≥ 0.10), and the ranging groups (all P ≥ 0.17). Most of the genera identified were more abundant in the indoor than high outdoor hens. Overall, rearing enrichments affected the cecal microbiota diversity of both pullets and adult hens and was able to distinguish hens that remained inside compared with hens that ranging daily for several hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saiful Bari
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- *Correspondence: Md Saiful Bari,
| | - Sarbast K. Kheravii
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Yadav S. Bajagai
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Shu-Biao Wu
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Chake Keerqin
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Dana L. M. Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Dana L. M. Campbell,
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Widowski TM, Cooley L, Hendriksen S, Peixoto MRLV. Maternal age and maternal environment affect egg composition, yolk testosterone, offspring growth and behaviour in laying hens. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1828. [PMID: 35115547 PMCID: PMC8814016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05491-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effects have been reported to alter offspring phenotype in laying hens. In this study, we investigated the effects of maternal environment and maternal age on egg traits and offspring development and behaviour. For this, we ran two experiments. First (E1), commercial hybrid hens were reared either in aviary or barren brooding cages, then housed in aviary, conventional cages or furnished (enriched) cages, thus forming different maternal housing treatments. Hens from each treatment were inseminated at three ages, and measures of egg composition, yolk testosterone concentration and offspring’s development, anxiety and fearfulness were assessed. In experiment 2 (E2), maternal age effects on offspring's growth and behaviour were further investigated using fertile eggs from commercial breeder flocks at three different ages. Results from E1 showed that Old hens laid heavier eggs with less yolk testosterone and produced offspring with fewer indicators of anxiety and fearfulness. Maternal rearing and housing affected egg traits, offspring weight and behaviour, but not in a consistent way. Effects of maternal age were not replicated in E2, possibly due to differences in management or higher tolerance to maternal effects in commercial breeders. Overall, our research confirms that maternal age and maternal environment affects egg composition, with maternal age specifically affecting yolk testosterone concentration, which may mediate physical and behavioural effects in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | | | - Simone Hendriksen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Impacts of Rearing Enrichments on Pullets and Free-Range Hens’ Positive Behaviors across the Flock Cycle. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030280. [PMID: 35158604 PMCID: PMC8833614 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Enrichment during the indoor rearing of young laying hens (pullets) destined for free-range systems may improve pullet development and increase motivated natural behaviors (termed ‘positive behaviors’) such as foraging, dust bathing and chick play. Hy-Line Brown® chicks (n = 1700) were floor-reared indoors across 16 weeks with three enrichment treatments (n = 3 pens/treatment): (1) standard control, (2) weekly novel objects—‘novelty’, (3) perching/navigation structures—‘structural’. Pullets (16 weeks old: n = 1386) were then transferred to nine identical pens within rearing treatments, with outdoor range access from 25 to 65 weeks. Video cameras recorded the pullet pens, adult indoor pens, and outside range. During rearing, observations of play behavior in chicks at 2, 4 and 6 weeks showed no overall effect of rearing treatment. At 11 and 14 weeks only the novelty hens were observed to increase their foraging across age with no differences between treatments in dust bathing. Observations of adult hens at 26, 31, 41, 50, 60 and 64 weeks showed that the structural hens exhibited more dust bathing and foraging overall than the control hens, but that both novelty and/or structural hens showed small increases relative to control hens depending on the behavior and location. Across age, adult hens differed in the degree of dust bathing performed inside or outside and foraging outside but not inside. For litter-reared pullets, additional enrichments may result in some long-term increases in positive behaviors. Abstract Enrichment during the indoor rearing of pullets destined for free-range systems may optimize pullet development including increasing motivated natural behaviors (termed ‘positive behaviors’) including foraging, dust bathing and chick play. Hy-Line Brown® chicks (n = 1700) were floor-reared indoors across 16 weeks with three enrichment treatments (n = 3 pens/treatment): (1) standard control, (2) weekly novel objects—‘novelty’, (3) perching/navigation structures—‘structural’. At 16 weeks, pullets (n = 1386) were transferred to nine identical pens within rearing treatments with outdoor range access from 25 to 65 weeks. Video cameras recorded the pullet pens, adult indoor pens, and outside range. During rearing, observations of play behavior (running, frolicking, wing-flapping, sparring) in chicks at 2, 4 and 6 weeks (total of 432 thirty-second scans: 16 observations × 3 days × 9 pens) showed no overall effect of rearing treatment (p = 0.16). At 11 and 14 weeks only the ‘novelty’ hens were observed to increase their foraging across age (p = 0.009; dust bathing: p = 0.40) (total of 612 thirty-second scans per behavior: 17 observations × 2 days × 2 age points × 9 pens). Observations of adult hens at 26, 31, 41, 50, 60 and 64 weeks showed that the structural hens exhibited overall more dust bathing and foraging than the control hens (both p < 0.04) but both novelty and/or structural hens showed small increases depending on the behavior and location (total of 4104 scans per behavior: 17 observations × 2 days × 6 age points × 9 pens × 2 locations = 3672 + an additional 432 observations following daylight saving). Across age, adult hens differed in the degree of dust bathing performed inside or outside (both p ≤ 0.001) and foraging outside (p < 0.001) but not inside (p = 0.15). For litter-reared pullets, additional enrichments may result in some long-term increases in positive behaviors.
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