Effects on behaviour and plumage of a key-stimuli floor and a perch in triple cages for laying hens

Abstract

Three environmental factors were introduced in various combinations with the aim of reducing feather pecking and improving the plumage and welfare in low-density triple cages for light-hybrid laying hens (704 cm 2 per hen): (i) a floor with key stimuli for ground pecking, consisting of blue elliptic spots marked on a white matrix; (ii) a blue-dyed feed given during the sensitive period of food imprinting (0–6 days postnatally); (iii) a round wooden perch (d = 33 mm). The effects on the time budget of behaviour, plumage and production were studied. The key-stimuli floor attracted more attention and pecking than the normal cage floor. Hens in perch cages showed less locomotor activity and pacing than other hens. The utilization of the perch during the daytime was 25.2%, but 40% of the preening and 49% of the sitting was carried out on the perch. The plumage at 50 weeks of age was better in hens which were given both blue feed after hatching and a key-stimuli floor in laying cages, and better in perch cages, than in controls. Hens in perch cages consumed 4% less feed than other hens. The results indicate that it may be possible to counteract the redirection of pecking from ground to feathers by ethological methods which stimulate ground pecking.