Effects of simulated aircraft noise on the behavior and egg production of white leghorn chickens

• DOI: 10.1121/1.423612
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:05:41Z
• Authors: Ann Bowles; Erik Berg; Natalie Abraham
• Keywords: Laying

White leghorn chicken poults (3 weeks and 8 of age) laying pullets (48 were exposed to a series simulated jet aircraft overflights. Poultry in small groups (∼35 birds/pen) barns equipped with U. S. Air Force-designed simulation system. For poult experiments, 72 pens four six times per day for 4 days. experiments hens, 60 two 5-day blocks over 2-week period. Level exposure ranged from 105 dB ASEL down the ambient noise floor barns. Ambient was dominated by poultry vocalizations fan (70–85 dBA). Behavior, food water consumption, mortality, weights (poults), success (hens) measured each pen throughout experiment. Neither nor hens responded overflights panic flight, piling, or any other hazardous behavior, regardless level. However, 8-week-old picked at one another more often most highly pens. Hens exhibited brief, decreases rate after initial exposure. Over experimental period, decrease not significant. [Work supported U.S. Force, AL/OEBN, Wright–Patterson Force Base (F41624-95-C-6014 DO-C9).]