Spatial cognition in vertebrates is adversely affected by a lack of environmental complexity during early life. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies have tested the effect of early exposure to varying degrees of environmental complexity on specific components of spatial cognition in chickens. There are two main rearing systems for laying hens in the EU: aviaries and cages. These two s...

As a result of rapid industrialization and urbanization in developing countries of West Africa, heavy metal pollution is likely to reach disturbing levels. The problem is that preparations are not being made towards the protection of the environment. Nigeria is one of the petroleum exporting countries and use of automobiles by middle and high income groups is rather high. In fact, the growing r...

This study aimed to evaluate the pathological changes that occur after administering different doses of R. jimi (Stevaux, 2002) parotoid glands secretion to Gallus gallus domesticus chicks. Twenty-three animals were used in this study and were divided into 5 groups that received a toad venom dose of 0, 3.0 mg/kg, 6.0 mg/kg, 10.0 mg/kg, and 25.0 mg/kg. After 48 h, the necropsy and pathological e...

This paper presents bone evidence for various pathological lesions occurring in domestic hen (Gallus domesticus L.), the first domesticated bird. They include healed fractures of a small grade exacerbated by dislocations, inflammations manifested in joints, osteopetrosis, cervical hernia and rickets. All but one of the illustrated specimens originate from archaeological assemblages found on the...

We have identified and characterized an ortholog of the putative mammalian clock gene cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) in the chicken, Gallus domesticus. Northern blot analysis of gCry2 mRNA indicates widespread distribution in central nervous and peripheral tissues, with very high expression in pineal and retina. In situ hybridization of chick brain and retina reveals expression in photoreceptors and in ...