Pekin ducks are motivated to lay in their preferred nest substrate

Abstract Nest design is one factor contributing to floor-laying in farmed poultry. We investigated: (i) if ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos ) prefer a particular nest substrate; and (ii) how important that preference them, indicated by stress-induced hyperthermia, egg albumen corticosterone, behaviour. Twelve female were trained push-door task had temperature data loggers implanted. Preference testing identified the most least preferred substrates between sawdust, astroturf, hemp fibres. A behavioural demand test then required use push-doors access nests containing either or substrate. The substrate door was loaded with increasing weight (0–120% of bodyweight, four nights per workload) eventually blocked prevent access. remained unweighted. overall rank order preferences sawdust > astroturf. Six 12 birds pushed all workloads attempted push door. area under curve (AUC) hyperthermia larger when compared 0%. AUC did not differ 2–4 night 1. Egg corticosterone unaffected. conclude laying Pekin manipulatable accessing enough pay cost. results indicate should be provided commercially nesting ducks.