Gut Microbial Composition and Predicted Functions Are Not Associated with Feather Pecking and Antagonistic Behavior in Laying Hens

Severe feather-pecking in free-range ISA Brown laying hens

................................................................................................................................ 37 CHAPTER 1: General Introduction ......................................................................................... 44 TYPES OF BIRD-TO-BIRD PECKING .................................................................................. 47 HOUSING SYSTEMS ...........

Relationship between feather pecking and ground pecking in laying hens and the effect of group size.

The aim of this experiment was to study the relationship between feather pecking and ground pecking in laying hens and the effect of group size on feather pecking behaviour. Hisex White hens were kept in floor pens in group sizes of 15, 30, 60 and 120 birds, each with four replicates. Behavioural observations were performed at four different ages and focused on the number of feather pecks and a...

Feather Pecking of Laying Hens in Different Stocking Density and Type of Cage

Both stocking rate and housing systems are main factors influencing the occurrence of feather pecking in laying hens raised in conventional cage system. This study examines the effects of different type of cage and stock density on feather pecking behaviour in hens. Total of 216 Hisex Brown hens at 16 weeks of age were randomly selected and put into 2 types of battery cages: conventional cages ...

Controlling Feather Pecking & Cannibalism in Laying Hens without Beak Trimming

Feather pecking behavior in laying hens: hypothalamic gene expression in birds performing and receiving pecks.

Feather pecking (FP) is a welfare and economic problem in the egg production sector. Beak trimming, the current method used to reduce FP, is also criticized. The present study used gene expression to explore the biological mechanisms underlying this behavior, which could lead to a greater understanding of the cause and a tool to mitigate the problem. White Leghorn hens performing and receiving ...