Occurrence Of Feather Pecking Research Articles

Studies regarding the occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism in flocks of non-beaktrimmed male turkeys (B.U.T. 6) kept under different stocking densities in an enriched curtain-sided barn

Abstract The occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism is a challenge in turkey husbandry in regard to animal welfare, especially as the triggers of these behavioural disorders have not been finally clarified. Genetics, lightning, feeding, flock size, stocking density and poor environmental complexity are discussed as the main reasons. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a reduced stocking density on the occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism in turkeys. In addition, it was examined whether an environmental enrichment with structural elements and manipulable materials in combination with intensive animal care allows the keeping of non-beaktrimmed male turkeys in a curtain-sided barn. Therefore, two consecutive trials with two flocks of non-beaktrimmed toms (British United Turkeys 6) were conducted. Animals were kept with defined stocking densities of 40 kg/m² as low stocking density (LD) and 58 kg/m² as high stocking density (HD). The separation of injured turkeys, total losses and numbers of dead and culled animals, with special emphasis on injuries caused by cannibalism, were recorded separately for both flocks. Within this study reducing the stocking density did not result in a decrease of injurious pecking. Separation rates of up to a maximum of 15.81% were documented. Whereas in the first trial significantly more turkeys of the HD flock had to be separated due to injuries (HD 9.30%; LD 5.56%; p < 0.001), contrasting results could be found for the second trial (HD 4.93%; LD 7.67%; p = 0.0035). In both trials the cumulative mortality did not significantly differ between the different stocking densities and was less than 10%. In conclusion, stocking density did not affect the number of animals injured due to cannibalism. Furthermore, the study suggests, that structural environmental enrichment in combination with an intensive animal care may be key elements in keeping non-beaktrimmed toms in a curtain-sided barn.

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary—Part 1: integument condition in pullets and laying hens

Severe feather pecking is a damaging allopecking behavior in pullets and laying hens which was found to be associated with multiple factors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the occurrence of feather pecking could be reduced by additional environmental enrichment materials (EM; pecking stones and hard-pressed alfalfa bales) in a littered housing system. In total 4,000 pullets (2000 Lohmann Brown classic [LB] and 2000 Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic [LSL]) were reared in an aviary system until week 18, and 1,320 remaining laying hens were kept thereafter, from week 19 to 48. During rearing, half of the compartments were permanently supplied with enrichment materials, while the other half did not receive any EM. After transferring to the laying hens’ stable, we examined the hens under four treatment variants: V1 - no EM over the entire study period; V2 - rearing period with and laying period without EM; V3 - rearing period without and laying period with EM; V4 - EM over the entire study period. The integument condition (i.e. beak protrusion, beak fissures, plumage condition, skin and toe injuries, and foot pad dermatitis) was scored in weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18 (rearing) and 25, 30, 40, and 48 (laying period). At the end of the study (week 48), lower plumage damage was observed in the variants provided with EM during rearing (V2 and V4) compared to the other two variants (V1 and V3; P < 0.001). Skin injuries were less prevalent in week 40 in hens with access to EM during rearing (V2 and V4) than the other variants (V1 and V3) within LSL (P < 0.001), and in week 48 in the both strains (P < 0.001). The variants with access to EM during the laying period (V3 and V4) showed lesser protrusion of the beak tip in week 48 (P < 0.001). The observed beneficial effects of EM could be attributed to its impact on foraging behavior and beak-tip abrasion.

Are dual-purpose hens less fearful than conventional layer hybrids?

BackgroundExcessive fear in farm animals can lead to chronic stress and thus impair animal welfare. In laying hens, fear responses in several behavioural tests have also been associated with the...

Effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of feather pecking in pullets and laying hens - A focused review.

Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a serious problem in the egg production industry with regard to animal welfare and performance. The multifactorial causes of SFP are discussed in the areas of genetics, feeding, husbandry, stable climate and management. Several studies on the influence of manipulable material on the incidence of SFP in different environments and housing systems have been performed. This review presents current knowledge on the effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of SFP in pullets and laying hens. Because SFP is associated with foraging and feed intake behaviour, the provision of manipulable material in the husbandry environment is an approach that is intended to reduce the occurrence of SFP by adequate exercise of these behaviours. As shown in the literature, the positive effect of enrichment and litter substrate on SFP in a low‐complexity cage environment is evident. On the other hand, consistent results have not been reported on the influence of additional enrichment material in housing systems with litter substrate, which represent the most common type of husbandry in Northwestern Europe. Thus, further research is recommended.

The most important dilemmas regarding the welfare of farm animals

In this review paper, contradictions in modern livestock production as dilemmas of farm animal welfare are considered. The main dilemma concerns the question of whether extensive production in small farms is generally better than intensive production in large farms. The next dilemma relates to an intensive selection of animals and its impact on the emergence of welfare problems. Another dilemma is related to the two main interconnected problems of pig welfare in individual farrowing pens: the piglet death by crushing and the sows? movement restriction. Similarly, welfare dilemma is the paradox of parent flocks of broiler line breeding that could not be solved until the pressure for genetic advancement in production is required due to the economic efficiency. The next example of the dilemma is the widespread practice of tail docking in piglets in order to reduce the risk of tail biting. Although the tail docking is painful and may cause death, anaesthesia is usually not applied on farms. A similar example of the dilemma is debeaking in the laying hens and the occurrence of feather pecking in free rearing systems. It is important to notice the difference between the described dilemmas, where one premise opposes the other, which is essentially a conflict between the animal welfare goals and other values, such as economic, ethical and moral issues. Finally, there are also some dilemmas about the consumers? willingness to pay a higher price of products that originate from welfare friendly rearing conditions.

The influence of stocking density and enrichment on the occurrence of feather pecking and aggressive pecking behavior in laying hen chicks

The housing conditions and environments experienced during the rearing period can influence the development of feather pecking in chickens during this time and in the subsequent laying period. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a reduced stocking density and the provision of enrichment materials on the occurrence of feather pecking in hen chicks under commercial rearing conditions. Three groups, identical in age, laying strain, and management but kept with different stocking densities and varying availability of enrichment (pecking stone, pecking block, and lucerne bale), were observed. Group 1 had a high stocking density (22.9 animals per m2) and no access to enrichment, group 2 had a lower stocking density (18.1 animals per m2) plus enrichment, and group 3 had a high stocking density (22.9 animals per m2) plus the same enrichment as group 2. Behavioral observations from video recordings were made on the occurrence of enrichment pecking, gentle feather pecking (GFP), severe feather pecking (SFP), and aggressive pecking. Furthermore, the influence of enrichment pecking on the occurrence of GFP, SFP, and aggressive pecking and the effect of SFP on the plumage condition were examined. The comparison of the 2 groups with enrichment demonstrated that the group with the higher stocking density showed a higher rate of SFP (95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference: [0.001-0.015]). The comparison of the 2 groups with and without enrichment but with equal stocking densities showed that the group with access to enrichment had significantly lower rates of GFP (95% CI: −0.019 to −0.006), SFP (95% CI: −0.036 to −0.020), and aggressive pecking (95% CI: −0.004 to −0.001). The group with a combination of a lower stocking density and enrichment had significantly lower rates of GFP (95% CI: −0.022 to −0.009), SFP (95% CI: −0.044 to −0.028), and aggressive pecking (95% CI: −0.004 to −0.001) compared to the group with a high stocking density without enrichment. Additionally, the occurrence of enrichment pecking had a significantly reducing effect on the occurrence of GFP (95% CI: −0.046 to −0.031), SFP (95% CI: −0.030 to −0.016), and aggressive pecking (95% CI: −0.003 to −0.0003). Finally, a high rate of SFP had a deteriorating effect on the plumage condition (95% CI: −0.859 to −0.084). Thus, we conclude that a lower stocking density and the provision of enrichment, such as pecking stones, pecking blocks, and lucerne bales, can reduce the prevalence of feather pecking and aggressive pecking in laying hen chicks. The evaluation of the plumage condition can be a valid indicator of feather pecking.

Assessment of Plumage and Integument Condition in Dual-Purpose Breeds and Conventional Layers.

Simple SummaryBehavioural problems, such as injurious pecking, are major welfare concerns in laying hen husbandry. To take adequate measures at the right time, useful information about the occurrence of these problems in a flock can be obtained by examining the hens for feather loss and skin injuries. Although feather loss and injuries can also result from mechanical abrasion or health issues, they provide strong evidence of behavioural problems in a flock, particularly when observed on the back and the tail of the animals. In our study, the behaviour of two genetic strains of laying hens (conventional layers and dual-purpose breeds) was evaluated by means of two different methods for assessing the feathers and the skin on distinct body parts of the animals. One method was a mere visual inspection of the flocks, whereas the other included the capture and handling of individual hens. Damaging behaviour, which resulted in severe feather loss and skin injuries, only occurred in the conventional layers. Both of the methods provided similar results for feather loss and injuries for most of the tested body regions and weeks. Therefore, the mere visual method was sufficient to detect injurious behaviour in laying hens.The assessment of plumage and integument condition in laying hens provides useful information about the occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism. Although feather loss and skin injuries can result from mechanical abrasion or clinical diseases, they are valid animal-based indicators for behavioural disorders. This particularly applies to damage on the back and tail region of the hens. The aim was to evaluate the behaviour of dual-purpose breeds (Lohmann Dual, LD) and conventional layer hybrids (Lohmann Brown plus, LB+), and to compare a mere visual assessment (Visual Scoring, VSc), with a method involving the handling of individual animals (Hands-on Scoring, HSc). During weekly VSc, the hens’ plumage and integument were scored on five body parts. HSc was carried out on seven study days applying the same scoring scale as for VSc. In LB+ hens, minor plumage damage started at 25 weeks and increased to the 71st week. With 99.5% of LB+ showing feather loss to a different extent, the back was the most severely affected body part. In contrast, only between 4.5% and 7% of LD showed minor feather loss at the end of the study. Integument damage reached a peak, with 6% affected LB+ in week 66. Injuries were found only sporadically in LD hens. Spearman’s rho for the comparison of plumages scores given in VSc and HSc was >0.90 (p < 0.01) in both hybrids for most of the tested body regions and weeks, except for the breast/belly region. However, VSc and HSc were equally valid for detecting skin injuries of all of the body regions (rs > 0.86, p < 0.01). Damaging behaviour only occurred in the LB+ flocks, though both of the genetic strains were kept under the same conditions. The visual scoring method was suitable for detecting both plumage and integument damage.

Evaluation of welfare parameters in laying hens on the basis of a Bavarian survey

Health issues like infestation with poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) and behavioral problems such as feather pecking and cannibalism are reported as current problems on laying hen farms. However, the epidemiological prevalence of these issues in Bavaria, Germany, is not known. The objective of the present survey was to determine the epidemiological prevalence of health and behavioral parameters and the management of hen farms in practice. The survey was sent to all laying hen farmers with more than 1,000 hens in Bavaria, Germany, and contained questions regarding flock management, behavior problems and health issues. The response rate was 40.8% and surveys were answered regarding 293 individual flocks on 147 farms. Three-quarters (77.6%) of the respondents housed their hens under conventional conditions. Farming system had an influence (P ≤ 0.05) on several management measures and the hens’ behavior. An infestation of the flocks with poultry red mite was stated in 65.7%, whereby a relationship existed with the farming system (P = 0.001) and the provision of an additional dust bath (P ≤ 0.001). The occurrence of feather pecking (18.5%) was related with the farming system (P = 0.001), the presence of roosters (P = 0.034), the locking of laying hens into the aviary (P = 0.006), not allowing access to the entire litter space after housing (P = 0.044) and nervous (P = 0.002) or chasing behavior (P ≤ 0.001) of laying hens. Similarly, cannibalism (15.0%) was related with locking hens into the aviary system (P ≤ 0.001) and not allowing access to the entire litter space (P = 0.026). According to these results, farmers should avoid locking the hens into the aviary or not allowing access to the entire litter space, because these measures relate to nervous behavior that may result in feather pecking or cannibalism. The provision of an additional dust bath is one of the management measures that can positively influence hens’ health and behavior.

Influence of farm factors on the occurrence of feather pecking in organic reared hens and their predictability for feather pecking in the laying period

Feather pecking is one of the most obvious welfare problems in laying hens. It is seen in all types of housing systems. Although banned in some countries, beak trimming is generally used to reduce the damage caused by this behaviour. In organic farming, where beak trimming is prohibited, the animals are being kept in a less intensive way than in conventional farming in order to improve their welfare. However, feather pecking is also seen in organic laying hens. Generally, rearing circumstances play an important role in the development of this behaviour. Therefore, rearing flocks were monitored for feather pecking and the relations between rearing factors and feather pecking at a young and at an adult age were analysed. Also the correlation between feather pecking during the rearing period and feather pecking during adult life was studied. Twenty-eight commercial flocks of rearing hens were monitored. These flocks split into 51 flocks of laying hens. Flocks were scored for signs of feather damage during rearing at the ages of 7, 12, and 16 weeks and on the laying farms at 30 weeks. On the rearing as well as the laying farm, data were collected on the housing system. Logistic regression was used to analyse our data. Feather damage was seen in 13 out of 24 (54%) of rearing flocks. Logistic regression showed that a higher number of pullets being kept per square meter in the first 4 weeks of life were associated with feather damage during the rearing period (Chi square = 8.49, df = 1, p = 0.004). Moreover, the combination of not having litter at the age of 1–4 weeks and the absence of daylight at the age of 7–17 weeks was a significant predictor of feather damage during the laying period (Chi square = 13.89, df = 4, p = 0.008). In 71% of the cases that pullets did not show feather pecking damage during rearing, they did not show feather pecking damage in the laying period either. When flocks of pullets did show feather damage, in 90% of the cases they did so during adult life. These results lead to suggestions on how to improve the rearing conditions of laying hens and increase their welfare not only during rearing but also during later life. Although the observations were done on organic farms, the results can be applied for other non-cage systems too.

Feed and strain effects on the use of outdoor areas by broilers

1. The use of outdoor areas by two broiler strains, known to have different growth rates and with access to either moderate (M) or low (L) energy feeds, was examined to assess the consequences for production, meat quality, health and welfare. 2. Sixteen groups of either Ross 208 (ROSS) or a Labresse cross (LAB) were fed either feed M or L. They were raised indoors until 42 d of age when groups of 102 birds were moved to outdoor houses with free access to an outdoor area. 3. The number of chickens standing and lying, respectively, in each of 5 zones in the outdoor area were recorded at intervals throughout the outdoor growth period until slaughter at 84 d of age. Production variables were measured, and gait, feather condition, litter quality, and dermal lesions on foot-pads and hocks were scored together with objective meat quality measures. 4. Both strains showed a diurnal rhythm with most birds observed outside around sunrise and before sunset. Feed and strain both affected the distribution of the birds on the outdoor area, with more birds on feed M than L observed outside, and with more LAB birds outside and using more of the outdoor area than ROSS. This was reflected in some of the carcase and meat quality measures. Feather pecking and cannibalism only occurred in LAB. 5. ROSS was found to have a faster growth rate, poorer litter quality, more dermal lesions and impaired mobility, reflected in low usage of outdoor area and poor gait score compared with LAB. 6. This together with the presence of pectoral myopathies make ROSS unsuitable for 12 week growth in free range production systems. The occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism in LAB make this particular Labresse cross questionable for meat-type poultry production.

Feed and strain effects on the use of outdoor areas by broilers

1. The use of outdoor areas by two broiler strains, known to have different growth rates and with access to either moderate (M) or low (L) energy feeds, was examined to assess the consequences for production, meat quality, health and welfare. 2. Sixteen groups of either Ross 208 (ROSS) or a Labresse cross (LAB) were fed either feed M or L. They were raised indoors until 42 d of age when groups of 102 birds were moved to outdoor houses with free access to an outdoor area. 3. The number of chickens standing and lying, respectively, in each of 5 zones in the outdoor area were recorded at intervals throughout the outdoor growth period until slaughter at 84 d of age. Production variables were measured, and gait, feather condition, litter quality, and dermal lesions on foot-pads and hocks were scored together with objective meat quality measures. 4. Both strains showed a diurnal rhythm with most birds observed outside around sunrise and before sunset. Feed and strain both affected the distribution of the birds on the outdoor area, with more birds on feed M than L observed outside, and with more LAB birds outside and using more of the outdoor area than ROSS. This was reflected in some of the carcase and meat quality measures. Feather pecking and cannibalism only occurred in LAB. 5. ROSS was found to have a faster growth rate, poorer litter quality, more dermal lesions and impaired mobility, reflected in low usage of outdoor area and poor gait score compared with LAB. 6. This together with the presence of pectoral myopathies make ROSS unsuitable for 12 week growth in free range production systems. The occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism in LAB make this particular Labresse cross questionable for meat-type poultry production.

The prevalence of feather pecking and development in commercial flocks of laying hens

Feather pecking and cannibalism remain serious problems when laying hens are intensely farmed, but there is not much data on the true prevalence of feather pecking under commercial conditions. A recent epidemiological survey estimated it to be 37.5%. To verify this value we collected data on the occurrence of feather pecking by means of direct observations. Twenty-five rearing flocks on commercial poultry farms were included in the study. Observations were made in weeks 5, 14, 20, 32 and 50. Additionally plumage condition was evaluated and mortality and egg production were recorded. The observations revealed that 40.0% of all flocks had developed considerable frequencies of feather pecking (>30 feather pecking interactions per 30 individuals per 30 min) by week 5 and by week 14 this had risen to 77.3%. The frequency of feather pecking interactions increased significantly between weeks 5 and 14, then there was a significant decrease at week 20 and the level remained the same in week 32. Feather pecking became more damaging with increased frequency and with increasing age of the birds. Each week the relative amount of severe feather pecking was positively correlated to the overall frequency of feather pecking in a flock and the regression coefficient for these two measurements increased steadily from weeks 5 to 32. Very little damage to the plumage was recorded before week 20, but thereafter damage increased significantly in weeks 32 and 50. Feather pecking did not influence mortality, but egg production was negatively affected in week 32. We conclude that more attention should be paid to the development of feather pecking during the rearing of laying hen chicks. Its consequences are not immediately evident, but frequencies of feather pecking remain high as the birds get older, with damage to the plumage increasing and egg production may be reduced. Therefore, all known risk factors such as a lack of access to elevated perches, high density or bad air quality should be controlled in order to prevent development of feather pecking during the rearing of laying hen chicks.

Analysis of risk factors for the occurrence of feather pecking in laying hen growers

1. Potential risk factors for the occurrence of feather pecking in laying hen growers raised under commercial conditions were investigated on Swiss farms with more than 500 rearing places. On-farm interviews were conducted on a sample of 64 flocks which represented 42.6% of all farms concerned. 2. All variables considered were dichotomised and their univariate correlation with the occurrence of feather pecking was tested for significance at P<0 20 using chi 2 tests. Logistic regression with backward elimination was then used with the significant variables to identify the potentially most important factors influencing feather pecking. These variables included stocking density, light intensity, intensity of care, access to elevated perches, access to a roofed and littered outdoor area ('bad weather run'), time of access to the feeding facilities of the housing system, stocking density in the restricted area at the beginning of the rearing period, additional open feeding areas in the beginning and air quality. 3. The final model contained stocking density and access to elevated perches as significant factors (P<0.05). Flocks kept in high density (10 birds per m2) and with no access to elevated perches were 6.4 (95% Confidence interval 1.7 to 24.2) and 4.0 (95% Confidence interval 1.2 to 12.9) times more likely to be affected by feather pecking, respectively. 4. The study identified 2 risk factors for the occurrence of feather pecking in flocks of laying hen growers reared under commercial conditions. It is concluded that in order to reduce feather pecking chicks should be reared at low density and with access to elevated perches.

Feather pecking in domestic chicks: its relation to dustbathing and foraging

Feather pecking is a serious problem in poultry housing, as it may lead to feather damage, injuries and even mortality. We tested predictions of the two prevalent hypotheses claiming that feather pecking is related to dustbathing and foraging, respectively. Forty-two groups of 30 laying hen chicks,Gallus gallus domesticuswere reared in pens with a slatted floor. Access to sand as a dustbathing substrate and straw as a foraging substrate was varied between groups. The rate of feather pecking was measured in early development up to week 7. The provision of a sand area did not prevent the chicks from developing high rates of feather pecking that caused injuries. Chicks that had access to sand from day 10 showed higher rates of feather pecking than chicks that had access to sand from day 1. The provision of straw to chicks that had developed high rates of feather pecking led to a decrease in this behaviour. Chicks that could use both sand and straw from day 1 on did not show high rates of feather pecking, and no injuries were observed in these groups. There was no significant difference in dustbathing activity between housing conditions characterized by high or low rates of feather pecking. On the other hand, foraging activity was inversely related to the rate of feather pecking, and the occurrence of feather pecking could be delayed from week 4 to week 7 by postponing procedures that led to changes in foraging behaviour. In conclusion, the results show that the presence of an appropriate substrate for dustbathing does not prevent domestic chicks from developing feather pecking. On the other hand, housing conditions that promote foraging behaviour are effective in reducing and preventing feather pecking.