Abstract
To avoid the killing of surplus male layer chickens, dual-purpose hybrids are suggested as an alternative approach. These strains may offer additional advantages compared to conventional laying hens, for instance, a lower tendency to develop injurious pecking behavior. The aim of this study was to assess the behavior, with focus on pecking behavior, of conventional layers (Lohmann Brown plus, LB+) and dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD). About 1,845 hens per strain with intact beaks were housed in four stable compartments in aviary systems. Video-based scan sampling of general behaviors and continuous observations of pecking behavior were carried out between 25 and 69 weeks of life. With the exception of “dustbathing” and “scratching,” hybrid × time during the laying period affected all of the observed general behaviors [F(2, 89) = 3.92–10.81, P < 0.001–0.05]. With increasing age, the LB+ hens performed more general pecking, more locomotion and less comfort and sitting behavior. General pecking and comfort behavior did not change over time in the LD hens, whereas inactive behaviors increased with age. During continuous observations, a significant hybrid x period interaction was found for all forms of pecking behavior [F(2, 89) = 4.55–14.80, P < 0.001–0.05]. The LB+ hens showed particularly more severe feather pecking (SFP), which increased with age. In contrast, SFP remained exceptionally low in the LD hens throughout production. Therefore, dual-purpose hybrids should be considered as an alternative to both avoid the killing of surplus male chickens and the development of SFP in laying hen production.
Highlights
Killing male day-old chickens from layer strains directly after hatch is a common practice all over the world
A dual-purpose concept that consists of housing hens for egg production and keeping roosters for meat production, is one Pecking Behavior Dual-Purpose Hens solution to deal with the problem of surplus male chickens of very specialized hybrid strains
The LB+ hens performed more pecking behavior, severe feather pecking (SFP), which increased with age
Summary
Killing male day-old chickens from layer strains directly after hatch is a common practice all over the world. These chickens are not suitable for economic meat production due to the genetically determined negative correlation between fattening and reproductive performance [1]. This led to the selection of specialized hybrid strains for either meat production (broiler hybrids) or egg production (layer hybrids). The male offspring of conventional, high-yielding layers are reared without economic profit Their meat is mainly processed for convenience food and the costs of rearing are usually subsided by a higher price for the eggs from such concepts [2]. The use of dual-purpose hens may provide advantages compared to conventional layers, as they seem to show a lower tendency to develop injurious pecking behavior [6]
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