Perch Types Research Articles

Variable foraging and flower probing behaviour of sunbird pollinators of the South African Pelargonium fulgidum

ABSTRACT Whether foraging sunbird pollinators hover or perch, the type of perch used, and the direction of flower probing are generally thought to be determined by matching shapes of decurved bird bills and curved flower tubes, as well as inflorescence architecture. However, few studies have objectively quantified aspects of sunbird foraging behaviour to test predictions based on adaptive trait matching. I investigated sunbird foraging in a population of Pelargonium fulgidum, a species with slightly upcurved flowers borne on upward-oriented peduncles, which grows along the west coast of South Africa. Long-range photographs revealed that Cinyris chalybeus, a sunbird species with a slightly decurved bill, hovers or perches during foraging, and uses both the inflorescence and alternative vegetation structures as perch. Contrary to previous suggestions, both male and female sunbirds probe flowers from either of two alternative directions (sternotribic versus nototribic) in more or less equal proportions, and frequently display flexibility in both foraging behaviour and flower probing direction. Predominant or complete sternotribic and nototribic flower probing were explained by hovering versus use of an inflorescence perch respectively, whereas use of an alternative perch resulted in similar proportions of each mode of flower probing. The number of flowers per visited inflorescence and number and proportion of probed flowers did not vary with foraging behaviour or flower probing direction. Although certain foraging behaviours resulted in predictable flower probing directions, variation in foraging behaviour and the presence of many alternative perches provided by vegetation surrounding P. fulgidum plants resulted in variability in flower probing direction that appears not to affect foraging efficiency. Relatively weak reciprocal curvature of flower tube and sunbird bill, resulting in easy access to nectar from multiple feeding directions, likely facilitates flexible foraging. This study shows that environmental context may facilitate more complex foraging behaviour than that predicted by adaptive trait matching.

Resource choice during ontogeny enhances both the short- and longer-term welfare of laying hen pullets

We hypothesised that resource choice during early life contributes to both current and longer-term beneficial effects on animal welfare. We investigated this hypothesis in a longitudinal cross-over experiment with laying hen pullets (Gallus gallus domesticus) reared in pens with one or four litter and perch types, respectively (n = 8 pens/treatment, all providing ample and identical litter and perch space). After 4 weeks (chick period), half the pens were modified to provide the opposite treatment (juvenile period). After 11 more weeks, all groups were moved to novel, identical laying pens (adult period; Week 16–27). In support of our hypothesis, the opportunity to choose between multiple litter and perch variants was associated with higher levels of positively-valenced behaviours, including play as chicks and dustbathing as juveniles and adults, and lower levels of negatively-valenced behaviours, including feather pecking as chicks and juveniles and aggressive pecking as adults. Resource choice in the juvenile period also led to better juvenile and adult plumage condition, and greater growth as adults. We conclude that the opportunity to choose among different litter and perch types, instead of having only one type of each, had both short- and longer-term positive effects on the birds’ affective states and physical condition.

Making the most of life: environmental choice during rearing enhances the ability of laying hens to take opportunities.

The potential of aviary housing for improving laying hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) welfare will be constrained if rearing conditions limit the hens' behavioral ability to take opportunities. Incorporating theories on developmental plasticity and animal agency, this study aimed to determine: (1) whether a choice of litter and perch types during rearing would promote long-lasting changes in use of novel locations and resources, and (2) the influence of timing of choice provision. Laying hen chicks were assigned to either a "Single-choice" (one litter and perch type) or "Multi-choice" environment (four litter and perch types) during "Early" (day 1-week 4) and "Late" rearing (week 5-15). The environments were switched in half of the 16 pens in week 5, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design with four choice environment by period combinations. The allocation of perch and litter space was the same across all treatment combinations. In week 16, all groups were moved to standard aviary laying pens (Laying period, week 16-27). When first moved to the laying pens, hens with Multi-choice in either or both rearing periods were quicker to spread out in their pen than hens with Single-choice throughout rearing. Multi-choice in Early rearing also reduced the latency to use novel elevated structures (perches and nests) in the laying pens. Multi-choice during Late rearing increased success in finding and consuming hidden mealworms (tested in weeks 9-17) and increased the proportion of eggs laid on elevated nesting trays. Numerically, hens switched from Multi-choice to Single-choice in week 5 used the outdoor range less than hens switched from Single-choice to Multi-choice. These results support the hypothesis that offering multiple resource choices during rearing improves hens' ability to make the most of new opportunities by being more proactive in exploring and exploiting newly available resources. In different opportunity challenges, hens showed positive outcomes in response to choice during Early, Late or both stages of rearing, suggesting that best results can be obtained by offering environmental choice throughout rearing.

Environmental change or choice during early rearing improves behavioural adaptability in laying hen chicks

Laying hens are typically moved to a novel environment after rearing, requiring adaptability to cope with change. We hypothesized that the standard rearing of laying hen chicks, in non-changing environments with limited choices (a single variant of each resource), impairs their ability to learn new routines, use new equipment and exploit new resources. On the contrary, rearing in a changing environment that also offers a choice of resource variants could better prepare chicks for the unexpected. To explore this hypothesis, environmental change and choice were manipulated in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. Compared to standard rearing, greater change during early rearing, through repeatedly swapping litter and perch types, reduced initial freezing when exposed to a novel environment suggesting a lower fear response. Greater choice during rearing, through simultaneous access to multiple litter and perch types, resulted in shorter latencies to solve a detour task, more movement in novel environments and less spatial clustering, suggesting improved spatial skills and higher exploration. However, combining both change and choice did not generally result in greater improvement relative to providing one or the other alone. We conclude that environmental change and choice during rearing have different positive but non-synergistic effects on later adaptability potential.

Urban Low-Rise Residential Areas Provide Preferred Song Post Sites for a Resident Songbird.

Simple SummarySongbirds adjust their song traits to adapt to urban environments from rural ones. However, the effects of the intraurban environmental variation on resident birds have received little attention. Here, we assessed the distribution and song differences of a common songbird—the oriental magpie-robin—between three urban habitat types. Population density and song diversity were higher in low-rise residential areas than in urban parks, while high-rise residences were rejected by birds. Overall, these results suggest that low-rise residential areas may provide preferred song post sites for this urban resident bird.Urbanization is expanding rapidly worldwide, and brings additional selection pressure on animals. The song differences between urban and rural songbirds have been widely verified, but the effects of urban morphological variation on long-settled urban birds have been poorly explored. Here, we investigated the distribution and song differences of a common resident songbird—the oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) between three urban morphology types (i.e., urban park, low-rise residential area, and high-rise residential area). The results indicated that the population density in low-rise residential areas was significantly higher than in urban parks, while it was the lowest in high-rise residential areas. Males in low-rise residential areas had greater song length, syllable numbers, frequency bandwidth, and song diversity than those in urban parks. The song differences were mainly related to habitat types, independent of singing height and perch type. Our findings suggest that low-rise residential areas may provide preferred song post sites for the oriental magpie-robin, which is well-adapted to the low-rise building morphology, but rejects the emerging high-rise buildings. Future studies are needed to assess the effects of urban morphological variation on more resident animals to determine which urban morphologies are conducive to enhancing biodiversity and encouraging animals to settle in urban areas.

Effect of perch access on perching, health and production outcomes in commercial broiler breeder flocks

There is a need for more knowledge about perch use in broiler breeders and the potential effects of perches on health and production outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of perches by commercial broiler breeders, effect of perch access on keel bone fractures (KBF), footpad dermatitis (FPD) and number of floor eggs. Two commercial breeder flocks (Ross 308) reared at the same facility were observed during the production period. Half of each flock was provided with 15 cm perch/bird and the other half had no perches. The perch group had two types of perches; a steel plate mounted on the hen feeder lines “feeder perch” (15 cm high) and elevated plastic perches (5 cm high). Perching by hens and roosters was recorded during the dark period by counting birds on each of the two perch types in 10 sections and in the corresponding patches on the control side at 25, 35, and 45 wk of age (WOA). FPD was scored in 100 random hens in each group at 30 WOA and end of lay, KBF was scored by postmortem in 100 random hens in each group at end of lay, and number of floor eggs (n) in each treatment was scored daily. More hens perched on the feeder perch with the steel plate mounted, compared to the feeder line without the steel plate, but this difference decreased with age (P < 0.0001). Within the perch treatment, more hens perched on the feeder lines compared to the plastic perches at all ages (P < 0.0001). When combining number of hens on the plastic and feeder perches, on average 6.7 birds perched per meter perch, which is full capacity given an average shoulder width of 15 cm/bird. Perch use among the roosters was low overall, but more roosters perched in the perch group compared to the control group at 35 WOA (P = 0.007). Between 47 and 53% of the hens had KBF at the end of the lay. At 30 WOA, birds housed with perches were more likely to have lower FPD. Perch treatment did not affect number of floor eggs. In conclusion, broiler breeder hens perch when the perches are sufficiently high and allow all birds to perch simultaneously, and access to perches may have positive effects on FPD.

The Crimean population of the lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor) has low behavioural flexibility in its response to approaching humans

The ongoing growth of the human population will increase the rate of wildlife-human interactions. High levels of animal tolerance and flexible responses towards human presence seem to be among the key mechanisms behind successful wildlife-human coexistence, but this behaviour remains unexplored for most populations and species of animals. Here, we investigate the escape behaviour (measured as flight initiation distance) of the Crimean population of a charismatic and declining bird species, the lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor). We examined its relationship with starting distance of the approaching human, directness of that approach (direct or tangential), habitat type (rural or suburban), and height of the perch used by shrikes. We found that the starting distance was significantly associated with escape responses of shrikes to approaching humans. In contrast, we found no significant association between escape responses and directness of approach, habitat type, or height of perch. Our results indicate that the lesser grey shrike may exhibit low flexibility in their escape responses towards humans which may have implications for their conservation management. Our results also indicate that the widely used 30 m threshold for minimum starting distance may be insufficient for rural populations, even of small passerines.

Increasing Environmental Complexity by Providing Different Types of Litter and Perches during Early Rearing Boosts Coping Abilities in Domestic Fowl Chicks.

Simple SummaryThe benefits of rearing chicks in complex environments rather than barren environments are well established. However, the typical rearing environments for modern laying hens are still considerably more barren than the complex forest habitat of their ancestors. This small-scale experimental study investigated whether giving chicks of white Bovans Robust the possibility to express choices between different variants of the same resource could result in them being better able to cope with challenges, as well as being better able to make the most of new opportunities. We found that chicks with access to different types of litter and perches were less fearful, less chronically stressed, and were better prepared to cope with pathogenic challenges. Furthermore, they were more successful in a repeated opportunity test, implying an improved learning ability. Overall, the results suggest that rearing laying hen chicks in an environment with access to variation in relevant resources could be a simple and feasible way to increase complexity under commercial conditions. This input could result in them being more resistant to infection and better able to adapt to novel situations later in life.Early experience of a complex environment can improve biologically relevant traits related to coping abilities. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects have not been well explored. We hypothesized that giving chicks possibilities to express choices within relevant resources could be an important part of the mechanism, as well as a novel way to increase environmental complexity. In a balanced design, laying hen hatchlings of the white hybrid Bovans Robust were reared in a “single-choice” environment (single litter and perch type) or a “multi-choice” environment (four different litter and perch types). Immunological and behavioral indicators of chicks’ coping abilities were explored in this experimental study at three weeks of age. Chicks from “multi-choice” environments had shorter durations of tonic immobility, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, higher natural antibody concentrations, and were more successful in gaining novel food rewards in a repeated opportunity test. These results imply that chicks having access to variation within resource types were less fearful, experienced less chronic stress, would be more able to cope with pathogenic challenges, and potentially had an improved learning ability. To conclude, the more complex environment, achieved by increasing chicks’ possibilities to choose, seemed to make chicks better prepared for potential challenges, boosting their adaptive capacities and their ability to make the most of opportunities.

Sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) autophagy related gene 5 promotes RGNNV infection via inhibiting RLRs-interferon signaling pathway

Autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5), an essential component of autophagy machinery, is associated with innate immune responses. Here, the Atg5 of sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) (LjAtg5) was cloned and its role in regulating autophagy and interferon (IFN) response during red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection was investigated. The LjAtg5 cDNA encoded a polypeptide of 275 amino acids with an APG5 domain, and had the closet genetic relationship with Micropterus salmoides Atg5. Autophagic detection showed LjAtg5 was conserved in inducing cell autophagy. Spatial expression analysis revealed LjAtg5 had a higher expression level in liver, brain, and kidney tissues of RGNNV-infected sea perch compared with the control group. In RGNNV-infected LJB cells, overexpression of LjAtg5 significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of capsid protein, whereas knockdown of LjAtg5 led to the opposite effect, indicating LjAtg5 played a pro-viral role during RGNNV infection. Furthermore, dual luciferase reporter assay revealed LjAtg5 significantly suppressed the activation of sea perch type I IFN promoter in vitro, and overexpression of LjAtg5 strongly weaken the expression of genes related to the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) signaling pathway and IFN stimulated genes. These results suggested LjAtg5 promoted RGNNV infection by negatively regulating RLRs-IFN signaling pathway.

Perch use in commercial broiler breeders – Preference for perch material and effect of age

Unlike for laying hens in most European countries, few broiler breeders have access to perches, and there is a need for more knowledge on perching behavior in broiler breeders. The aim of this study was to investigate the overall use of perches by broiler breeders throughout the production period and to investigate preferences for different perch materials in a commercial setting. Four breeder flocks (Ross 308, n = 2, Ranger Gold, n = 1, Hubbard JA 757, n = 1) were each given five different perches. Four of the perches (each 6 m long) were placed on the elevated slats; steel round, steel square, plastic and wooden perch, while the three Siesta perches (plastic, 15 cm high) were placed in the litter area. From week 30, one of the Siesta perches (3 m long) was placed on the elevated slats. Perch use was recorded by counting number of birds on the perches during the last hour before the light went off, once in week 20, 25, 30, 40, 45 and 50. Footpad dermatitis were scored at end of lay in 100 random hens across the house. Overall, perching behavior was constant with age, and there were no significant differences between the flocks with regards to perch use (birds/m perch). At 20 weeks of age, the square steel perches were most used (0.90 birds/m perch) and the wooden perches were the least used (0.41 birds/m perch) (P = 0.09). From week 30, more birds were perching on the Siesta perches on the slats (1.6 birds/m perch) compared to all other types of perches (P < 0.003). There was no relationship between body weight and footpad score (P > 0.05). The average perch use in the present study was only 0.44 birds/m perch which is a capacity utilization of less than 10 %. The Siesta perch on the elevated slats was the most popular perch, possibly due to its height. In conclusion, broiler breeders use perches, but perch type and placement of the perches must be considered carefully.

Commercial broiler breeder pullet hens use perches but show no preference for perch type or height

An important behavioral need for laying hens is perching, but few studies have investigated perching behavior in commercial broiler breeder pullets. The aim of this study was to investigate perching behavior throughout the pullet period and preferences for different perch types and heights. We also investigated the effect of hybrid on perching and the potential effect of perches on keel bone damage (KBD) and footpad dermatitis (FPD). We followed four commercial broiler breeder pullet hen flocks (Ross 308, n = 2 and Hubbard JA 757, n = 2), each with three groups of birds (n = 2 500 hens); A-group; four A frames consisting of four perch types (plastic, steel square, steel round and wood) placed on different heights (35 cm and 95 cm); S-group; Siesta perches (a plastic perch 15 cm high) and C-group; control group without perches. Perch use was recorded by counting number of birds on the perches during the last hour before the light went off, at week 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 15. At week 16, footpad dermatitis, keel bone deformations and keel bone fractures were scored in 30 random birds in each group (n = 90 birds/flock). Hubbard birds perched significantly more than Ross birds (P < 0.0001), and more birds perched on the Siesta perches than on the A frames (P = 0.046). Perching increased with age for Hubbard birds (P < 0.05), but not for the Ross birds. There were no effects of perch height or perch types on number of birds observed on the perches. There were no observed cases of bumblefoot, breast blisters, keel bone deformations or keel bone fractures. The incidence of FPD was low, with 73.6% of assessed birds receiving a score of 0, with no significant differences between hybrids or perch groups. In conclusion, Hubbard birds perched more than Ross 308 birds, and all birds perched more with age. None of the hybrids showed any preferences for perch type or height and increased perching had no negative effects on important health parameters. Broiler breeder pullets should therefore be given access to perches from day 1 to promote training and perch use.

홰 종류 및 높이 설정에 따른 육계 생산성, 행동특성, 계육품질에 미치는 영향

This study investigates the effect of perch type and height on the growth performance, footpad dermatitis (FPD), blood parameters, behavioral characteristics, and meat quality of broilers. A total of 912 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (48.23± 0.264 g) were subjected to a three x two factorial design of three types of perch (wood, steel, plastic) and two levels of perch height (10→30 cm change, 10 cm fixed) over a five-week experiment. Growth performance, perch availability, litter quality, FPD incidence, serum biochemical parameters, and meat quality of the broilers were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the body weight, feed conversion ratio, and biochemical parameters (except for aspartate aminotransferase), pH, color, and water holding capacity. The incidence of FPD was significantly higher in the plastic perch group than in the wood and steel perch groups (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) at five weeks of age. Perch use was high in the order of wood, steel, and plastic groups in the daytime and nighttime at one, three, and five weeks of age (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). Perch use was higher in the 10 cm fixed group than the 10→30 cm group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). The shear force of the breast significantly increased in the order of wood, steel, and plastic groups (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the group with a fixed perch height of 10 cm had high perch usage. Additionally, the use of wooden perches was higher than that of other materials, and it lowered the incidence of FPD in broilers.

Antiviral activities of sea perch type I and type II IFNs against RGNNV and their different roles in antigen presentation

Viral nervous necrosis disease, caused by nervous necrosis virus (NNV), is one of the most serious diseases in many marine and freshwater fish species worldwide. To better understand the antiviral ability and immunoregulatory function of sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) interferon (IFN) to NNV infection, three type I IFN genes (IFNc, IFNd and IFNh) and two type II IFN genes (IFNγ and IFNγ rel) were cloned and characterized in this study. Tissue distribution analysis showed that all five IFNs were high expressed in immune organs of sea perch. The transcription levels of IFNc, IFNd and IFNh were significantly up-regulated in both LJB cells in response to Poly I:C treatment or red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection and head kidney leukocytes (HKLs) treated with Poly I:C, while the expression of IFNγ and IFNγ rel were only detected in HKLs. Furthermore, promoter activity analysis showed that overexpression of IRF7 significantly enhanced the promoter activities of IFNc, IFNd and IFNh, whereas IRF1 and IRF3 overexpression only induced IFNh promoter activity. In vitro study, IFNc, IFNd, IFNh and IFNγ possessed significant antiviral activities against RGNNV. In addition, overexpressed IFNc and IFNγ up-regulated the expression of antigen presentation cell markers MHCII-α and MHCII-β in LJF cells, indicating IFNc and IFNγ might be involved in antigen presentation. Taken together, our study may provide the basis for exploring the interaction between viruses and the IFN system in sea perch.

Litter and perch type matter already from the start: exploring preferences and perch balance in laying hen chicks

Early chick environment, such as provision of litter and perches, can be a predictor of laying hen welfare. Inadequate or nonpreferred litter and perch types could have similar negative effects as those seen when not providing these resources at an early stage, such as increased feather pecking and cannibalism in adult flocks. However, suitable litter and perch types for chicks are not well explored. In the present project, 6 different types of litter (crushed straw pellets, hemp shavings, peat, sand, straw, wood shavings) and 6 different types of perches (narrow or wide forms of rope, flat or round wood) were presented in a controlled way (3 at a time) to chicks in 6 pens. Usage was compared in 93 chicks of Lohmann Selected Leghorn Classic divided across the pens, during their first 3 wk after hatch. Different litter types were seen to be preferred for different behaviors. The majority of dustbathing bouts occurred in sand and peat. Chicks foraged more in wood shavings, hemp shavings, and sand than in peat and pellets (P < 0.05). Perch width and shape were found to affect both usage and perch balance, measured as the probability of successful or problematic landings. The wide rope was generally used more during the first week (P < 0.05) and was used more for sleeping or resting (P < 0.05) than the other wide perch types. Furthermore, birds were more likely to land on the wide rope or on flat perches successfully than they were to have a problematic landing (P < 0.05). That birds were more likely to be observed preening on flat perches than on the potentially shaky rope perches could further reflect a sense of security. Our results suggest that presenting several litter types could better fulfill chicks' behavioral needs and that flat perches or a wide rope (4.5-cm diameter) could be appropriate perch types for laying hen chicks and thereby promote early perch use and training.

Notas sobre el uso de ecosistemas subterráneos por murciélagos en el Parque Nacional Tingo María, Huánuco, Perú

En el Perú existe poca información sobre la biodiversidad de los ecosistemas subterráneos, particularmente de las cuevas. En este trabajo registré qué especies de murciélagos habitan las cuevas del Parque Nacional Tingo María (PNTM) y cómo se distribuyen dentro de las mismas categorizándolas en tipos de percha. Evalué seis formaciones rocosas en el PNTM en los años 2015 y 2017. Se usaron redes de niebla y de mano para capturar a los murciélagos. En total registre 16 especies de murciélagos pertenecientes a las familias Phyllostomidae, Emballonuridae y Mormoopidae. En la cueva de “Las lechuzas” encontré el mayor número de especies (10). Categoricé tres tipos de percha usados por los murciélagos dentro de las cuevas: (I) pequeñas bóvedas formadas como depresiones en el techo, (II) espacios angostos en medio de las estalactitas, (III) cavidades amplias entre las estalactitas y la pared en forma de campana. Las cuevas del PNTM contribuyen a la persistencia local de los murciélagos proveyéndoles de refugios, y existe la necesidad de conocer sobre los aspectos ecológicos y la importancia funcional de los murciélagos dentro de estas cuevas.

Foraging behaviour and diet in two sympatric shrike species during autumn migration across the Arabian Peninsula.

In situations of restricted food supply, the trophic niches of closely-related species of animals should be separate. For sit-and-wait hunters, such as shrikes, this is associated with competition for food and hunting sites. In the present study, the foraging behaviour of two shrike species – Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides and Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio – was studied in a desert habitat in Oman. The fieldwork was carried out in September 2019, during the peak migration of these birds. Their behaviour was recorded in detail during 30-minute observation bouts. A General Linear Mixed Model with logit link function and binomial error variance was used to compare their behaviour. The type of perch and its height did not differ between them, but there were significant differences in their use of look-out posts only in the mean duration of a single perching event, which was more than twice as long in Red-backed Shrike. No differences in prey size were found between the species and hunting success (the ratio of successful attacks to all attacks) was similar in both (RtS-RbS: 46 vs. 61%). Dietary diversity was twice as great in Red-tailed Shrike as in Red-backed Shrike, but in general, their diets did not differ very much. Dietary overlap between the species at this level of prey identification was 92%. This absence of differences in some aspects of behaviour and diet may be due to the similarity of the two species, above all their same body size, and even the possibility of hybridization. If the species compared are so similar due to body size, behaviour and evolutionary relationship their food niches may overlap.

Effects of Perch Location on Wintering Raptor Use of Artificial Perches in a California Vineyard

Most raptor species rely on perches for hunting, resting, preening, and roosting, and in many agricultural areas the availability of adequate perches can limit raptor abundance and diversity. This has negative implications for both raptor conservation and for the provisioning of natural pest control services for farmers. Installing artificial perches on agricultural lands can therefore benefit both raptors and farmers, but perches must be installed in optimal locations to maximize raptor use and minimize unnecessary costs to farmers. We monitored raptor use of artificial perches in a California vineyard over winter using remote photography to compare two sets of perch types: perches at the top versus perches at the bottom of a steep hill, and perches located among trees versus perches located in an open area. We found that raptors preferred perches on hilltops over perches at the base of hills, and that raptors seem to prefer perches in open habitat over perches located adjacent to trees, although a small sample size for this comparison limited our analysis.

Perch-shape preference and perching behaviors of young laying hens

Provision of perches in enriched colony or cage-free hen housing facilitates birds’ ability to express natural behaviors, thus enhancing animal welfare. Although considerable research has been conducted on poultry perches, further investigation is needed of perching behavior and preference of laying hens to perch exposure and perch types. This study aimed to assess preference of young laying hens for round vs. hexagon perches and to characterize temporal perching behaviors of the young hens brought to an enriched colony setting from a cage pullet-rearing environment. A total of 42 Lohmann white hens in six equal groups, 17 weeks of age at the onset of the experiment, were used in the study. Each group of hens was housed in a wire-mesh floor pen equipped with two 120 cm long perches (one round perch at 3.2 cm dia. and one hexagon perch at 3.1 cm circumscribed dia., placed 40 cm apart and 30 cm above the floor). Each group was monitored continuously for 9 weeks. Perching behaviors during the monitoring period, including perching time, perch visit, and perching bird number, were recorded and analyzed daily using an automated perching monitoring system. Results revealed that the laying hens showed no preference between the round and hexagon perches (P = 0.59–0.98). Young laying hens without prior perching experience showed increasing use of perches over time (P < 0.01). It took up to five to seven weeks of perch exposure for young hens to show consistent perching behaviors in the enriched colony setting. This study also found that laying hens spent about 10% of daytime on the perches and over 75% of hens perched at night after approaching consistent perching behaviors. In general, the results supplemented to the existing knowledge base for the quantitative behavior study on laying hens’ temporal perch use.

Use flexibility of perch types by the branch-camouflaged Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus): why this bird may occasionally dare to perch on artificial substrates

ABSTRACT Animal species gain protection against visually oriented predators when they choose a suitable substrate that maximizes camouflaging. The choice of appropriate substrate may be particularly important during the brooding period when vulnerability of the parents and their progeny is high. The Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) is a well-camouflaged bird that blends nearly perfectly into a branch extension. Camouflage may be so effective for this species that perched individuals may wait until the last second before fleeing a potential predator. We compared the features of day perch substrates used by this bird during nesting and nonnesting occasions. We accessed 1,560 photos online and found that Common Potoo predominantly use natural tree substrates for nesting and resting (1,510 photos, 96.8%), except for a small percentage of individuals (50 photos, 3.2%) that choose seemingly risky artificial substrates (e.g., wires, traffic poles, and even plastic bottles) as resting sites. In addition, a random...

Exploring perch provision options for commercial broiler chickens

Two related experiments involving broiler chickens are presented. Experiment 1 evaluated the use of six perch types: (1) an A-frame design (incorporating a platform and ramps), (2) a ‘flat top’ ramp, (3) a curved ramp, (4) a suspended bar, (5) a fixed bar and (6) a suspended platform. Two of each perch type was provided in one commercial house on each of two farms over two 6-week production cycles. Each perch was videoed for a 24 h period in weeks 1–6 of cycle 1, and weeks 1–5 of cycle 2. Scan sampling was used to assign an occupancy score to different perch components (platform, bar and ramp, where appropriate), and an overall weighted occupancy score also calculated. Counts were made of perching and failed perching attempts following selected scans in cycle 1. There were significantly higher occupancy scores for platform than for bar or ramp components, and this was apparent across the production cycle. This resulted in a higher overall weighted occupancy score for suspended platforms. The percentage of failed perching attempts was significantly greater with fixed and suspended bar perches than with the curved ramp. Three treatments were assessed in Experiment 2: (1) provision of six suspended platform perches (P), (2) provision of six suspended platform perches and four peat-filled dust baths (PD), and (3) control treatment with no platform perches or dust baths. Treatments were applied in one of three houses on each of two farms, and replicated over three cycles. Two perches in each of the P and PD treatments were videoed for a 25 min period in weeks 3, 4 and 5, and number of birds using the perches recorded. The severity of angular leg deformities, hock burn and pododermatitis lesions, and walking ability were scored in weeks 3, 4 and 5, and prevalence of pododermatitis and hock burn recorded at slaughter. Litter moisture and production-related measures were also taken. On average, 26 birds (12.6 birds/m2) occupied the perches, and this was not affected by provision of dust baths or age. Treatment did not significantly affect any of the measures taken. It is concluded that broilers prefer to perch on platforms rather than bars or ramps, and thus that platforms better cater for an important behavioural need. However, provision of platform perches, even in combination with dust baths, did not improve leg health, and future research should investigate greater levels of provision of these enrichments.