Between breed genetic variation for welfare-related behavioural traits in domestic fowl

Abstract

Feather pecking (FP) resulting in feather loss and cannibalism (C) is an important welfare problem in domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus domesticus). Behavioural hypotheses to explain this behaviour have generally been proposed on the basis of within breed experiments or by comparing two lines. We examined these hypotheses by utilising a multi-breed experimental design to estimate the between breed genetic variation for feather pecking and cannibalism, behavioural time budgets and measures of fear, sociality and coping strategy. There was extensive between breed (genetic) variation in feather pecking, cannibalism and general pecking behaviour. There was no evidence for between breed genetic variation in time budgets; that for fear and coping strategy was slight whereas some measures of sociality were moderately high. Between breed genetic correlations between behavioural traits and feather score, skin score and mortality were low and those between sociality and skin lesions and culling were labile. We conclude that there is a strong genetic basis for damaging feather pecking and cannibalism and that these behaviours are not strongly related genetically to other behavioural traits.