AbstractKeel bone damage (KBD) is a critical issue facing the contemporary laying hen industry due to likely pain leading compromised welfare and reduced productivity. Recent reports suggest that KBD, while highly variable dependent on host of factors, extends all housing systems (including traditional battery cages, furnished cages non-cage systems), genetic lines, management styles. Despite extent problem, research community remains uncertain as causes influencing factors KBD. To combat...

High flock-level prevalence of keel-bone fractures and deviations in laying hens are commonly reported across various housing systems; however, few longitudinal studies exist, especially for furnished conventional cage systems. Load-bearing exercise improves bone strength mineral composition has the potential to reduce damage, if is allowed during critical periods growth throughout pullet rearing phase. The objective this study was determine damage housed cages, assess whether opportunities...

Increased load-bearing exercise improves bone quality characteristics in a variety of species, including laying hens. Providing increased opportunities for during the pullet rearing phase, period substantial musculoskeletal growth, offers proactive approach to reducing osteoporosis by improving composition. The main objective this study was determine whether differing influences characteristics. Two flock replicates 588 Lohmann Selected Leghorn-Lite pullets were reared either standard,...

Abstract In commercial flocks of laying hens, keel bone fractures (KBFs) are prevalent and associated with behavioural indicators pain. However, whether their impact is severe enough to induce a depressive-like state chronic stress unknown. As downregulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in mammals birds, we employ this measure as neural biomarker subjective welfare state. Radiographs obtained longitudinally from Lohmann Brown hens housed multi-tier aviary were used score the severity...

Osteoporosis in laying hens has been a production and welfare concern for several decades. The objective of this study was to determine whether differing opportunities exercise during pullet rearing influences long-term bone quality characteristics end-of-lay hens. A secondary assess adult housing systems alters Four flock replicates 588 Lohmann Selected Leghorn-Lite pullets were reared either conventional cages (Conv) or an aviary system (Avi) placed into (CC), 30-bird furnished (FC-S),...

Chicks ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) make a repetitive, high energy ‘distress’ call when stressed. Distress calls are catch-all response to range of environmental stressors, and elicit food calling brooding from hens. Pharmacological behavioural laboratory studies link expression this with negative affective state. As such, there is an priori expectation that distress on farms indicate not only physical, but emotional welfare. Using whole-house recordings 12 commercial broiler flocks n = 25...

This study aimed to identify if sensor technology could be used detect sickness-type signs (caused by a live vaccine) in laying hens compared physiological and clinical sign scoring behaviour observation. The experiment comprised 5 replicate batches (4 12 days per batch) using previously non-vaccinated (n = 20). Hens were moved on day 1 large experimental room with various designated zones (e.g., litter, perches, nest box), where they wore two sensors (FitBark, TrackLab). Saline was applied...

To prevent health and fertility problems associated with excessive weight gain, broiler breeders are severely feed restricted during rearing, which may affect welfare. We compared the effects of an experimental ad libitum feeding regimen based on qualitative restriction food intake conventional quantitative performance female rearing lay. During up to 20 wk age, control birds were fed amounts standard breeder mash once daily. Experimental had access same mixed 400 g oat hulls/kg increasing...

Broiler breeders (parents of meat chickens) are selected for fast growth and become obese if fed ad libitum. To avoid this maintain good health reproductive ability, they feed restricted to about 1/3 what would eat As a result, experience chronic hunger exhibit abnormal behaviour patterns that may indicate stress frustration. One approach measuring is observe how much birds will work, such as pecking key, access more or different types food. However, the sight, smell, feedback from...

Abstract This paper reports results from two workshops held in York, England that investigated public attitudes towards the welfare of broiler chickens. At outset majority participants admitted they knew little about how chickens are reared and were shocked at some facts presented to them. Cognitive mapping aspects Q methodology used reveal range variables believed affected chicken welfare, causal relationships between those variables, what considered most least important. While focused on...

1. Poultry on farms are sometimes required to be killed in an emergency, such as during a disease epidemic, yet none of the available methods ideal. Whole-house carbon dioxide (CO2) administration has practical advantages, but gives rise welfare concerns. 2. The study measured body temperature, respiration, cardiac and brain activity (EEG) responses 10 adult hens placed tiered cages deep pit house while entire flock (28,000 end-of-lay hens) was with CO2. Video thermographic images were also...

Parent stocks of meat birds are severely feed restricted to avoid obesity-related health and fertility problems. This restriction often leads chronic hunger, accompanied by stereotypic behavior. Research based in the United Kingdom has shown that using diets containing fiber appetite suppressants may relieve some symptoms hunger. However, few data available regarding North American-sourced ingredients or nondaily feeding regimens. study investigated effects 2 alternative diets, combination...

Abstract An alternative emergency method for killing poultry on-farm is required following European legislation changes (EU 1099/2009), which heavily restricts the use of manual cervical dislocation. This study investigated kill efficacy two mechanical methods that conform to new legislation: (i) a novel dislocation device; and (ii) modified captive-bolt device (Rabbit Zinger™) (the control). Killing treatments were applied broilers layers at stages production (broilers: 2-3 5 weeks age;...

Broiler breeder chickens are commercially feed restricted to slow their growth and improve health production, however, there is research demonstrating that this leads chronic hunger resulting in poor welfare. A challenge these studies account for possible daily rhythms or the effects of time since last meal on measures relating hunger. To address this, we used 3 treatments: AL (ad libitum fed), Ram (restricted, fed morning), Rpm afternoon) control diurnal effects. We then conducted foraging...

1. Preen oil derived from the preen gland has previously been shown to differ in its composition between birds of different ages, sex and diet. As a part larger study on preening behaviour components, relative percentages fatty acids were examined laying hens that differed age, beak trimmed status, feather pecking status (pecker pecked) method sampling (either direct or lipid extracted feathers). 2. Five experiments are described. Fatty analysed by gas chromatography (GC). acid was affected...

Meat chickens from experimental flocks were tested repeatedly three to six weeks of age using gait score (GS) and force plate (FP) techniques, the findings related postmortem results for leg health. This initial study indicated that five was optimal test birds FP indicate abnormalities pathologies. Birds (n=492) with a range walking styles then selected at commercial flocks, scored FP. A subsample these (n=191) examined postmortem, relationships between pathologies, GS investigated. Models...