Diurnal rhythm of feather pecking behaviour and condition of integument in four strains of loose housed laying hens

ABSTRACT Diurnal changes of LH secretion in sexually immature hens of 9, 11, 13 and 15 weeks of age consisted of 25–40% increases in the mean concentrations of LH in plasma between 15.00 and 18.00 h, i.e. between 2 h before and 1 h after the onset of darkness. During this time there was a tendency for the mean contents of LHRH-I in the anterior hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus to increase by 21–74% and 20–56% respectively. In hens of 9 and 15 weeks, diurnal changes in the plasma concentration of LH closely paralleled those of LHRH-I content in the posterior hypothalamus. In contrast, the diurnal rhythm of LH secretion in hens of 11 and 13 weeks was more marked and plasma concentrations of LH continued to rise steeply between 18.00 and 21.00 h, i.e. between 1 and 4 h after the onset of darkness. At 11 weeks, this was associated with a reduction (P<0·01) in the contents of LHRH-I and LHRH-II, particularly in the anterior hypothalamus. In laying hens, a diurnal decline (P<0·01) in the plasma concentration of LH between 1 and 4 h after the onset of darkness was preceded by a fall (P<0·05) in the content of LHRH-I in the posterior hypothalamus and in the total hypothalamic content of LHRH-II (P<0·01). In all groups of hens, irrespective of the times of day at which tissue was taken, significant (P<0·05–<0·001) correlations between the contents of LHRH-I and LHRH-II in the anterior hypothalamus were observed. It is concluded that a diurnal rhythm of release of LHRH-I may drive the diurnal rhythm of LH secretion. Thus, in sexually immature hens of 9 and 15 weeks and laying hens in which diurnal changes in plasma LH were small there were parallel changes in the content of LHRH-I in the posterior hypothalamus. However, where the plasma concentration of LH was increased substantially, as at 11 weeks, there was a decline in the hypothalamic contents of LHRH-I. A simultaneous fall in the hypothalamic content of LHRH-II raises the possibility of a causal relationship between the activities of LHRH-II, LHRH-I and the release of LH. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 457–462

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Severe feather-pecking in non-cage laying hens and some associated and predisposing factors: a review

World s Poultry Science Journal ◽

10.1017/s0043933915002469 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 103-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

K.M. Hartcher ◽

S.J. Wilkinson ◽

P.H. Hemsworth ◽

G.M. Cronin

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Predisposing Factors ◽

Feather Pecking

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Effects of haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, on feather pecking behaviour in laying hens

Applied Animal Behaviour Science ◽

10.1016/j.applanim.2003.11.009 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 86 (1-2) ◽

pp. 77-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

J.B. Kjaer ◽

B.M. Hjarvard ◽

K.H. Jensen ◽

J. Hansen-Møller ◽

O. Naesbye Larsen

Keyword(s):

Receptor Antagonist ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Dopamine D2 Receptor ◽

D2 Receptor ◽

Feather Pecking ◽

Dopamine D2 ◽

Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonist

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Providing laying hens in group-housed enriched cages with access to barley silage reduces aggressive and feather-pecking behaviour

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2015-0133 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 161-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S.G. Johannson ◽

C. Raginski ◽

K. Schwean-Lardner ◽

H.L. Classen

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Free Access ◽

Feather Pecking ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

And Performance ◽

Barley Silage ◽

Effect Of Feeding ◽

Bird Weight

Two trials were conducted to study the effect of feeding barley silage on the behaviour and performance of beak-trimmed laying hens. In each trial, 20 hens and 2 roosters were housed in each of eight group-housed enriched cages, with four cages provided a laying hen diet and four cages additionally given free access to barley silage. Egg production and quality, and hen behaviour were assessed throughout the trials (Trial One 20–30 weeks; Trial Two 19–28 weeks). Data were analysed using Proc Mixed of SAS 9.4 and differences were significant when P ≤ 0.05. Silage-fed hens consumed 41 (13.9 g DM) and 50 (13.5 g DM) grams of silage per hen per day in Trials One and Two, respectively, while consuming less layer diet. Birds fed silage spent less time expressing aggressive and feather-pecking behaviours and in nest boxes, and more time feeding than control birds. Egg production, egg quality, and bird weight were not affected by treatment; yolk colour was darker for the silage treatment. Feathering quality was improved in silage-fed birds compared to control birds. It was concluded that providing hens with access to barley silage can improve welfare indicators without negatively affecting the egg production and egg quality.

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The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: identifying the underlying principles

World s Poultry Science Journal ◽

10.1017/s0043933913000354 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 361-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

T.B. Rodenburg ◽

M.M. Van Krimpen ◽

I.C. De Jong ◽

E.N. De Haas ◽

M.S. Kops ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Feather Pecking ◽

And Control

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Feather pecking in adult laying hens: Can it be associated with pecking at inanimate objects?

British Poultry Science ◽

10.1080/00071669888106 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 39 (sup001) ◽

pp. 15-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. E. CHANNING

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Feather Pecking

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Meta-analyses of genome wide association studies in lines of laying hens divergently selected for feather pecking using imputed sequence level genotypes

BMC Genetics ◽

10.1186/s12863-020-00920-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Clemens Falker-Gieske ◽

Hanna Iffland ◽

Siegfried Preuß ◽

Werner Bessei ◽

Cord Drögemüller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Structure ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Association Studies ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Feather Pecking ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Feather pecking (FP) is damaging behavior in laying hens leading to global economic losses in the layer industry and massive impairments of animal welfare. The objective of the study was to discover genetic variants and affected genes that lead to FP behavior. To achieve that we imputed low-density genotypes from two different populations of layers divergently selected for FP to sequence level by performing whole genome sequencing on founder and half-sib individuals. In order to decipher the genetic structure of FP, genome wide association studies and meta-analyses of two resource populations were carried out by focusing on the traits ‘feather pecks delivered’ (FPD) and the ‘posterior probability of a hen to belong to the extreme feather pecking subgroup’ (pEFP). Results In this meta-analysis, we discovered numerous genes that are affected by polymorphisms significantly associated with the trait FPD. Among them SPATS2L, ZEB2, KCHN8, and MRPL13 which have been previously connected to psychiatric disorders with the latter two being responsive to nicotine treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that phosphatidylinositol signaling is affected by genes identified in the GWAS and that the Golgi apparatus as well as brain structure may be involved in the development of a FP phenotype. Further, we were able to validate a previously discovered QTL for the trait pEFP on GGA1, which contains variants affecting NIPA1, KIAA1211L, AFF3, and TSGA10. Conclusions We provide evidence for the involvement of numerous genes in the propensity to exhibit FP behavior that could aid in the selection against this unwanted trait. Furthermore, we identified variants that are involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling, Golgi metabolism and cell structure and therefore propose changes in brain structure to be an influential factor in FP, as already described in human neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Welfare aspects of the perchery systea of housing for laying hens

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600023941 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 1993 ◽

pp. 68-68

Author(s):

D M Alvey ◽

S A Tucker

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Public Concern ◽

Feather Pecking ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Alternative Systems ◽

Current Alternative ◽

High Feed ◽

Battery Cages

There is continuing public concern about the welfare of poultry kept in battery cages. However, current alternative systems would be unsuitable to fill the gap if cages were to be banned. Many welfare problems have been encountered with alternative systems. These include feather pecking, cannibalism, poor foot condition, bone breakage, poor production, high feed intake and floor egg laying. In 4 studies, between 1988 and 1992, the effect of the Gleadthorpe design of perchery on the performance, behaviour and welfare of laying hens was evaluated.The perchery consisted of 2 perch units constructed on wooden slatted platforms over a droppings pit. A block of 5 tier high nestboxes was provided along each side of the perchery. The nestboxes were of a rear roll-away type and contained “Astroturf” nest pads. Litter areas were available between the 2 perch units and between the perch units and the blocks of nest boxes.

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