Effects of simulated aircraft noise on the behavior and egg production of white leghorn chickens

Abstract

White leghorn chicken poults (3 weeks and 8 weeks of age) and laying pullets (48 weeks of age) were exposed to a series of simulated jet aircraft overflights. Poultry were exposed in small groups (∼35 birds/pen) in barns equipped with a U. S. Air Force-designed simulation system. For poult experiments, 72 pens were exposed four to six times per day for 4 days. For experiments with laying hens, 60 pens were exposed four times per day for two 5-day blocks over a 2-week period. Level of exposure ranged from 105 dB ASEL down to the ambient noise floor in the barns. Ambient noise was dominated by poultry vocalizations and fan noise (70–85 dBA). Behavior, food and water consumption, mortality, weights (poults), and laying success (hens) were measured for each pen throughout the experiment. Neither poults nor hens responded to simulated overflights with panic flight, piling, or any other hazardous behavior, regardless of exposure level. However, 8-week-old poults picked at one another more often in the most highly exposed pens. Hens exhibited brief, small decreases in laying rate after initial exposure. Over the experimental period, the decrease was not significant. [Work supported by the U.S. Air Force, AL/OEBN, Wright–Patterson Air Force Base (F41624-95-C-6014 DO-C9).]