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Liste G, Estevez I. Phenotype alteration causes long-term changes to the social strategies of victimised birds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2421. [PMID: 36765194 PMCID: PMC9918478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotype alterations can occur naturally during the life span of the domestic fowl. These alterations increase the risk to become a target of aggression and may cause a severe impact on the welfare of affected birds. We analysed the behavioural consequences of sequential phenotype alterations and their long-term effects within stable social groups of adult birds differing in group size. Phenotypically homogeneous groups, with 100% or 0% marked individuals, and heterogeneous groups, with 70%, 50% or 30% marked birds, were housed at constant density in groups of 10, 20 or 40. We applied sequential phenotype alterations to homogeneous groups (by marking or unmarking birds) and compared their behavioural response to heterogeneous groups considered controls. Results show that aggression was greatly affected by phenotype alteration but, unexpectedly, group size did not play any relevant role modulating social responses. Aggression was directed towards the first altered birds and was significantly higher than in control groups. Long term effects were detected, as victimized individuals failed to engage in aggression at any time and adapted their behaviour to minimize aggressive encounters (e.g. high perch use). Therefore, we provide evidence of long-lasting submissive strategies in stable groups of adult domestic fowl, highlighting the relevance of phenotype alteration on the social dynamics of affected birds. Phenotype alterations could help explain much of the targeted aggression observed in producing flocks which severely affects animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiomar Liste
- Neiker, Animal Production Department, P.O. Box 46, 01080, Vitoria, Spain.
| | - Inma Estevez
- Neiker, Animal Production Department, P.O. Box 46, 01080, Vitoria, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Alameda Urquijo 36-5 Plaza Bizkaia, 48011, Bilbao, Spain.
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2
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Pellegrini S, Orso G, Marin R, Guzman D. The insemination status and social context influences quail laying and social behavior: A novel experimental set up. Poult Sci 2022; 102:102328. [PMID: 36476681 PMCID: PMC9723937 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102328] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese quails in wild life live in small groups with females being even solitary during the laying period. Although it is a poultry species widely used for egg production, information regarding laying behavior motivations or influencing variables is scarce. Our study focuses on evaluating along 7 d the quail laying behavior in a novel environmental set up. This set up allows the female to choose between remaining separated from a conspecific in one side of the apparatus or to voluntarily enter their space (box-mate side) and interact with it. We evaluated whether the female insemination status prior to enter the environmental set up, and the presence of a female or a male partner in the box-mate side can influence their laying and social behavior. Thus, 4 experimental groups were established. Females spent a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of time in the box-mate side than in their separated sector in all groups. In 3 of the 4 experimental groups (non-inseminated females interacting with a female or a male box-mate, and inseminated females interacting with a male box-mate) females also laid a greater percentage (≥65%, P < 0.05, in all cases) of eggs in the box-mate sector than in their separated sector. However, the group of inseminated females that interacted with a female box-mate shifted their egg distribution and laid equally between both sides of the apparatus. Aggressive social interactions were reduced (P < 0.05) throughout the testing days but this was depending upon the female insemination status and the sex of their box-mate. Findings suggest that females can change their laying side choice when they are inseminated but depending on the sex identity of their box-mate partners. Thus, providing quail female breeders with the option of laying their eggs in separated enclosures from conspecifics could be key to favor their well-being.
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Nazar FN, Estevez I. The immune-neuroendocrine system, a key aspect of poultry welfare and resilience. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101919. [PMID: 35704954 PMCID: PMC9201016 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing societal concern regarding the negative impact of intensive poultry production on animal welfare, human health, and on the environment. This is leading to the inclusion of animal welfare as an imperative aspect for sustainable production. Certain environmental factors may challenge domesticated birds, resulting in poor health and welfare status. Resilience is the capacity to rapidly return to prechallenge status after coping with environmental stressors, thus resilient individuals have better chances to maintain good health and welfare. Immune-neuroendocrine system, thoroughly characterized in the domestic bird species, is the physiological scaffold for stress coping and health maintenance, influencing resilience and linking animal welfare status to these vital responses. Modern domestic bird lines have undergone specific genetic selective pressures for fast-growing, or high egg-production, leading to a diversity of birds that differ in their coping capacities and resilience. Deepening the knowledge on pro/anti-inflammatory milieus, humoral/cell-mediated immune responses, hormonal regulations, intestinal microbial communities and mediators that define particular immune and neuroendocrine configurations will shed light on coping strategies at the individual and population level. The understanding of the profiles leading to differential coping and resilience potential will be highly relevant for improving bird health and welfare in a wider range of challenging scenarios and, therefore, crucial to scientifically tackle long term sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Nicolas Nazar
- NEIKER, Arkaute Agrifood Campus, Departamento de Producción Animal, Vitoria-Gasteiz E-01080, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT, CONICET-UNC) and Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, CP 5000, Argentina
| | - Inma Estevez
- NEIKER, Arkaute Agrifood Campus, Departamento de Producción Animal, Vitoria-Gasteiz E-01080, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain.
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Caliva JM, Alcala RS, Guzmán DA, Marin RH, Kembro JM. High-resolution behavioral time series of Japanese quail within their social environment. Sci Data 2019; 6:300. [PMID: 31796742 PMCID: PMC6890678 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0299-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The behavioral dynamics within a social group not only could depend on individual traits and social-experience of each member, but more importantly, emerges from inter-individual interactions over time. Herein, we first present a dataset, as well as the corresponding original video recordings, of the results of 4 behavioral tests associated with fear and aggressive response performed on 106 Japanese quail. In a second stage, birds were housed with conspecifics that performed similarly in the behavioral tests in groups of 2 females and 1 male. By continuously monitoring each bird in these small social groups, we obtained time series of social and reproductive behavior, and high-resolution locomotor time series. This approach provides the opportunity to perform precise quantification of the temporal dynamics of behavior at an individual level within different social scenarios including when an individual showing continued aggressive behaviors is present. These unique datasets and videos are publicly available in Figshare and can be used in further analysis, or for comparison with existing or future data sets or mathematical models across different taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Martín Caliva
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT, CONICET-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rocio Soledad Alcala
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Diego Alberto Guzmán
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT, CONICET-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Raúl Héctor Marin
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT, CONICET-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jackelyn Melissa Kembro
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Córdoba, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT, CONICET-UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
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Rufener C, Baur S, Stratmann A, Toscano MJ. Keel bone fractures affect egg laying performance but not egg quality in laying hens housed in a commercial aviary system. Poult Sci 2019; 98:1589-1600. [PMID: 30481360 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pey544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of keel bone fracture (KBF) severity and healing activity on individual productivity of laying hens. Focal hens (75 Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL), 75 Lohmann Brown (LB)) were housed alongside non-focal hens in 10 identical pens containing a commercial aviary system (15 focal hens per pen). Eggs of focal hens were identified by orally administering a dye on 3 consecutive days, resulting in a hen-specific color pattern in the yolk. Eggs were collected at 7 time points (37 to 61 weeks of age; WOA) for 5 d to determine individual laying performance and to assess egg quality. Radiographs were performed to score KBF severity on a continuous scale. Healing activity was scored as inactive, healing, or fresh. Linear mixed effects models were used for statistical analyses. We found an association between KBF severity and reduced egg laying performance with increasing age (P = 0.005). At 37 WOA, egg laying performance was similar across KBF severities, whereas at 61 WOA, performance in hens with the highest observed KBF severity was 16.2% lower than in hens without fractures. Hens with fresh fractures had a lower performance than hens with healing and inactive fractures at 37 WOA but higher performance at 61 WOA (P = 0.02). Egg quality parameters were not affected by fractures but were associated with an age × hybrid interaction (egg mass: P = 0.039, shell breaking strength: P = 0.03, shell width: P = 0.001). In conclusion, hens could maintain high performance irrespective of fracture severity until shortly after peak of lay, but seemed to redirect available resources towards fracture healing if a fresh fracture was present. At the end of lay, the negative effect of KBF fracture severity on individual production amplified indicating that hens were no longer able to cope with the physiological challenge of a fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Rufener
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Baur
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Radiology, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ariane Stratmann
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Toscano
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
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An integrated analysis of social stress in laying hens: The interaction between physiology, behaviour, and hierarchy. Behav Processes 2018; 149:43-51. [PMID: 29408572 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Livestock is the category of animals that suffers the most severe welfare problems. Among these, physical, physiological, and behavioural distress caused by artificial grouping are some of the challenges faced by these animals. Groups whose members are frequently changed have been reported as socially unstable, which could jeopardise the welfare of animals. Here, we assessed the effect of social instability on aggression, stress, and productivity in groups of laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). We studied 36 females, distributed into three stable groups (without group membership change) and three unstable groups (where the dominant member was rotated every week) over the course of 10 weeks. We evaluated the frequency of agonistic interactions, glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) concentrations, and egg production. In both treatments, dominant hens produced more eggs compared to intermediate and subordinates, and intermediate hens had the highest GCM concentrations. Socially unstable groups had lower productivity and higher frequencies of agonistic interactions than stable groups. Social instability also affected GCM of the animals: in stable groups, subordinate hens had higher concentrations than dominants; in unstable groups, this pattern was reversed. Our results point to a social destabilisation in groups whose members were alternated, and suggest the welfare of individuals in unstable groups was compromised. Our results pointed to a complex relationship between hierarchy, productivity, physiological stress and aggression in laying hens, and have implications for their husbandry and management and, consequently, for their welfare levels.
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Campderrich I, Liste G, Estevez I. The looks matter; aggression escalation from changes on phenotypic appearance in the domestic fowl. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188931. [PMID: 29261668 PMCID: PMC5737892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic fowl in small groups are assumed to establish hierarchical systems based on individual recognition. Conversely, interactions in large groups are modulated by badges of status. Previous studies suggested that birds differing in phenotypic appearance (PA) became targets for aggression, possibly mistaking altered PA for badges of status. We evaluated the impact of altering PA on 0, 30, 50, 70 or 100% of the birds’ house at three experimental group sizes (GS). Tested GS were 10, 20 or 40 (8 birds/m2, 3 pens/GSxPA, 45 total). Thus, for each GS we had groups initially homogenous (100U, U = Unmarked; 100M, M = Marked), or heterogeneous M and U phenotypes coexisting in different proportions: 30M/70U, 50M/50U, and 70M/30U, remaining unchanged until 33 weeks of age. Then, homogeneous groups (100U and 100M) were sequentially altered by marking or unmarking 30, 50 and 70% of birds at 34, 38 and 44 weeks, respectively. Aggressive interactions were observed before applying changes at 27–28 weeks (T0), and after each sequential PA change on week 35–36 (T1), 39–40 (T2) and 45–46 (T3). Frequency of aggressive interactions in altered groups at T1, T2, and T3 were compared with non-altered heterogeneous controls. Results indicate no differences across initial PA and GS treatments (T0; P>0.05). However, aggression escalation was observed at T1 immediately after the first PA manipulation (Tukey P<0.05 altered vs controls). Aggression in altered groups remained high at T2 when compared to controls (Tukey, P<0.05), although by T3 interactions declined to almost initial levels (Tukey, P>0.05 altered vs controls). Aggressive interactions at T1 and T2 were predominantly directed from un-altered towards recently altered birds, irrespectively of their initial phenotype and of the GS. These results demonstrate that a sudden change in PA affects group dynamics. Altered birds were exposed to escalated aggression even in small groups, where individual recognition was presumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Campderrich
- Neiker-Tecnalia, Department of Animal Production, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Guiomar Liste
- Neiker-Tecnalia, Department of Animal Production, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Inma Estevez
- Neiker-Tecnalia, Department of Animal Production, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- * E-mail:
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8
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Stress Induced Polarization of Immune-Neuroendocrine Phenotypes in Gallus gallus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8102. [PMID: 28808318 PMCID: PMC5556001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08733-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes (INPs) stand for population subgroups differing in immune-neuroendocrine interactions. While mammalian INPs have been characterized thoroughly in rats and humans, avian INPs were only recently described in Coturnix coturnix (quail). To assess the scope of this biological phenomenon, herein we characterized INPs in Gallus gallus (a domestic hen strain submitted to a very long history of strong selective breeding pressure) and evaluated whether a social chronic stress challenge modulates the individuals' interplay affecting the INP subsets and distribution. Evaluating plasmatic basal corticosterone, interferon-γ and interleukin-4 concentrations, innate/acquired leukocyte ratio, PHA-P skin-swelling and induced antibody responses, two opposite INP profiles were found: LEWIS-like (15% of the population) and FISCHER-like (16%) hens. After chronic stress, an increment of about 12% in each polarized INP frequency was found at expenses of a reduction in the number of birds with intermediate responses. Results show that polarized INPs are also a phenomenon occurring in hens. The observed inter-individual variation suggest that, even after a considerable selection process, the population is still well prepared to deal with a variety of immune-neuroendocrine challenges. Stress promoted disruptive effects, leading to a more balanced INPs distribution, which represents a new substrate for challenging situations.
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Campderrich I, Liste G, Estevez I. Group size and phenotypic appearance: Their role on the social dynamics in pullets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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Daigle CL, Rodenburg TB, Bolhuis JE, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. Individual Consistency of Feather Pecking Behavior in Laying Hens: Once a Feather Pecker Always a Feather Pecker? Front Vet Sci 2015; 2:6. [PMID: 26664935 PMCID: PMC4672280 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The pecking behavior [severe feather, gentle feather, and aggressive pecks (AP)] of individual White Shaver non-cage laying hens (n = 300) was examined at 21, 24, 27, 32, and 37 weeks. Hens were housed in 30 groups of 10 hens each and on 3 cm litter with access to a feeder, perch, and two nest boxes. The number of severe feather pecks given (SFPG) and received (SFPR) was used to categorize hens as feather peckers (P), victims (V), neutrals (N), or feather pecker-victims (PV) at each age. Hens categorized as PV exhibited pecking behaviors similar to P and received pecks similar to V. SFP given were correlated with APs given, but not with gentle feather pecks (GFP) given throughout the study. State-transition plot maps illustrated that 22.5% of P remained P, while 44% of PV remained PV throughout the duration of the study. Lifetime behavioral categories identified hens as a consistent feather pecker (5%), consistent neutral (3.9%), consistent victim (7.9%), consistent feather pecker-victim (29.4%), or inconsistent (53.8%) in their behavioral patterns throughout their life. Consistent feather peckers performed more SFP than hens of other categories, and consistent neutral hens received fewer GFP than consistent feather PV. No differences in corticosterone or whole blood serotonin levels were observed among the categories. Approximately, half of the population was classified as a feather pecker at least once during the study, while the remainder was never categorized as a feather pecker. Therefore, even if the development and cause of feather pecking may be multifactorial, once the behavior has been developed, some hens may persist in feather pecking. However, as some hens were observed to never receive or perform SFP, emphasis should be made to select for these hens in future breeding practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L. Daigle
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - T. Bas Rodenburg
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Janice C. Swanson
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Janice M. Siegford
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Liste G, Campderrich I, de Heredia IB, Estevez I. The relevance of variations in group size and phenotypic appearance on the behaviour and movement patterns of young domestic fowl. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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12
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Nazar FN, Marin RH, Liste G, Campderrich I, Estevez I. Manipulation of the phenotypic appearance of individuals in groups of laying hens: effects on stress and immune-related variables. Stress 2015; 18:710-7. [PMID: 26364806 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2015.1078306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated whether phenotypic appearance (PA) alteration during two developmental phases in laying hens, reared in two different group sizes, affects stress and immune responses. After hatching, 750 chicks were randomly assigned to 30 pens at a group size of either 10 or 40 birds. Then, the appearance of 0, 30, 50, 70 or 100% of the chicks in each pen was altered by blackdyeing their head feathers (marked); remaining chicks were unmarked. At 32 weeks, basal and postacute stress plasma corticosterone concentration, leukocyte counts, phytohemagglutinin-p lymphoproliferative and primary antibody responses were measured in six birds/pen. Analysis of variances (ANOVAs) showed no differences among treatment combinations. In a second phase, birds within initially homogeneous pens were sequentially either marked or had dye bleached to alter PA of 70% of hens in each flock (= group in a pen). Hens within initially heterogeneous pens remained unaltered as controls. The above variables were remeasured. Hens in phenotypically manipulated pens showed modified leukocyte counts compared to hens in control pens, indicating a chronic stress reaction in all penmates (whether individual PA was altered or not). Social isolation increased plasma corticosterone concentration. However, within groups of n = 40, phenotypically unaltered hens had lower responses than their altered penmate counterparts, suggesting that remaining in a stable PA group aids better coping with challenges. Although all hens in manipulated pens showed modified leukocyte counts, their antibody and lymphoproliferative responses did not differ from controls suggesting that all groupmates were able to immunologically cope with the challenges presented, within the timeframe evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- F N Nazar
- a Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT; CONICET-UNC) and Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - R H Marin
- a Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT; CONICET-UNC) and Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (ICTA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - G Liste
- b Department of Animal Production , Neiker-Tecnalia, Arkaute Agrifood Campus , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain, and
| | - I Campderrich
- b Department of Animal Production , Neiker-Tecnalia, Arkaute Agrifood Campus , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain, and
| | - I Estevez
- b Department of Animal Production , Neiker-Tecnalia, Arkaute Agrifood Campus , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain, and
- c IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 3 , Bilbao , Spain
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13
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Daigle CL, Rodenburg TB, Bolhuis JE, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. Use of dynamic and rewarding environmental enrichment to alleviate feather pecking in non-cage laying hens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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