Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries

Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a major animal welfare problem in layers. It results in pain and injuries in the affected animal. It was the aim of this study to gain insight into the actual pecking behavior of laying hens kept on commercial farms with flock sizes common in practice. We observed agg...

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Autores principales:	Angela Schwarzer, Christina Plattner, Shana Bergmann, Elke Rauch, Michael Erhard, Sven Reese, Helen Louton
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	layer severe feather pecking animal welfare animal behavior poultry Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/6b2ee65a0b0142cb874ea094d5703632
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id	oai:doaj.org-article:6b2ee65a0b0142cb874ea094d5703632
record_format	dspace
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	layer severe feather pecking animal welfare animal behavior poultry Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991
spellingShingle	layer severe feather pecking animal welfare animal behavior poultry Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 Angela Schwarzer Christina Plattner Shana Bergmann Elke Rauch Michael Erhard Sven Reese Helen Louton Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
description	Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a major animal welfare problem in layers. It results in pain and injuries in the affected animal. It was the aim of this study to gain insight into the actual pecking behavior of laying hens kept on commercial farms with flock sizes common in practice. We observed aggressive pecking and SFP in non-beak-trimmed and beak-trimmed flocks of laying hens and investigated possible influencing factors. The study took place on eight conventional farms in Germany with aviaries, including three farms with a free range and a winter garden, one with a free range and one with a winter garden. Pecking behavior was observed during three observational periods (OPs): OP 1, at the peak of the laying period between the 28th and 33rd week of life; OP 2, in the middle of the laying period between the 42nd and 48th week of life; and OP 3, at the end of the laying period between the 63rd and 68th week of life in one laying period. Videos were analyzed using behavior sampling and continuous recording. We found that SFP occurred in all flocks, but the pecking rate differed significantly between the flocks. SFP correlated positively with the number of hens per square meter of usable area, with statistical significance in the litter area (<i>r</i> = 0.564; <i>p</i> = 0.045). The multivariate analysis revealed that access to a winter garden or free range significantly reduced the SFP rate on perches (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The stocking density (number of birds per usable square meter) had a significant influence on the SPF rate in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The hybrid line had a significant effect on the SFP rate on perches and in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.001 each). Lohmann Brown hens in mixed flocks had a higher SFP rate (significant in OP 2) than those in homogeneous flocks, indicating that mixed flocks may be a risk factor for SFP. Lohmann Brown hens pecked significantly less than Dekalb White hens in the litter area (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.025) and less than Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens in the litter area (<i>p</i> = 0.010). Lohmann Brown and Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens showed increasing SFP rates during the laying period. All hybrid lines had significantly higher SFP rates in the litter area, followed by the nest-box area and perches. These findings emphasize the importance of providing enough litter, litter areas and environmental enrichment. We found a significant positive correlation between aggressive pecking and SFP—in OP 1: rho (Spearman) = 0.580, <i>p</i> < 0.001; OP 2: rho = 0.486, <i>p</i> = 0.002; and OP 3: rho = 0.482, <i>p</i> = 0.002 (<i>n</i> = 39) —indicating that SFP may lead to a higher stress level in the flock. Beak trimming reduced pecking rates but did not entirely prevent SFP. Instead of subjecting chicks to this potentially painful procedure, reasons for SFP should be addressed. In conclusion, our data suggest a positive influence of a lower stocking density and the provision of a winter garden or free range for additional space. The hybrid line had a significant influence on the feather-pecking rate on perches and the nest-box area. Aggressive pecking and severe feather pecking correlated positively. We assume that vigorous and painful AP were an additional stress factor, especially in non-beak-trimmed flocks, leading to more SFP in due course. Beak trimming had a reducing effect on SFP. However, our results showed that non-beak-trimmed flocks could be kept without major outbreaks of SFP.
format	article
author	Angela Schwarzer Christina Plattner Shana Bergmann Elke Rauch Michael Erhard Sven Reese Helen Louton
author_facet	Angela Schwarzer Christina Plattner Shana Bergmann Elke Rauch Michael Erhard Sven Reese Helen Louton
author_sort	Angela Schwarzer
title	Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
title_short	Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
title_full	Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
title_fullStr	Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
title_full_unstemmed	Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries
title_sort	feather pecking in non-beak-trimmed and beak-trimmed laying hens on commercial farms with aviaries
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/6b2ee65a0b0142cb874ea094d5703632
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:6b2ee65a0b0142cb874ea094d57036322021-11-25T16:14:49ZFeather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries10.3390/ani111130852076-2615https://doaj.org/article/6b2ee65a0b0142cb874ea094d57036322021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3085https://doaj.org/toc/2076-2615Severe feather pecking (SFP) is a major animal welfare problem in layers. It results in pain and injuries in the affected animal. It was the aim of this study to gain insight into the actual pecking behavior of laying hens kept on commercial farms with flock sizes common in practice. We observed aggressive pecking and SFP in non-beak-trimmed and beak-trimmed flocks of laying hens and investigated possible influencing factors. The study took place on eight conventional farms in Germany with aviaries, including three farms with a free range and a winter garden, one with a free range and one with a winter garden. Pecking behavior was observed during three observational periods (OPs): OP 1, at the peak of the laying period between the 28th and 33rd week of life; OP 2, in the middle of the laying period between the 42nd and 48th week of life; and OP 3, at the end of the laying period between the 63rd and 68th week of life in one laying period. Videos were analyzed using behavior sampling and continuous recording. We found that SFP occurred in all flocks, but the pecking rate differed significantly between the flocks. SFP correlated positively with the number of hens per square meter of usable area, with statistical significance in the litter area (<i>r</i> = 0.564; <i>p</i> = 0.045). The multivariate analysis revealed that access to a winter garden or free range significantly reduced the SFP rate on perches (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The stocking density (number of birds per usable square meter) had a significant influence on the SPF rate in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The hybrid line had a significant effect on the SFP rate on perches and in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.001 each). Lohmann Brown hens in mixed flocks had a higher SFP rate (significant in OP 2) than those in homogeneous flocks, indicating that mixed flocks may be a risk factor for SFP. Lohmann Brown hens pecked significantly less than Dekalb White hens in the litter area (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and in the nest-box area (<i>p</i> = 0.025) and less than Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens in the litter area (<i>p</i> = 0.010). Lohmann Brown and Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens showed increasing SFP rates during the laying period. All hybrid lines had significantly higher SFP rates in the litter area, followed by the nest-box area and perches. These findings emphasize the importance of providing enough litter, litter areas and environmental enrichment. We found a significant positive correlation between aggressive pecking and SFP—in OP 1: rho (Spearman) = 0.580, <i>p</i> < 0.001; OP 2: rho = 0.486, <i>p</i> = 0.002; and OP 3: rho = 0.482, <i>p</i> = 0.002 (<i>n</i> = 39) —indicating that SFP may lead to a higher stress level in the flock. Beak trimming reduced pecking rates but did not entirely prevent SFP. Instead of subjecting chicks to this potentially painful procedure, reasons for SFP should be addressed. In conclusion, our data suggest a positive influence of a lower stocking density and the provision of a winter garden or free range for additional space. The hybrid line had a significant influence on the feather-pecking rate on perches and the nest-box area. Aggressive pecking and severe feather pecking correlated positively. We assume that vigorous and painful AP were an additional stress factor, especially in non-beak-trimmed flocks, leading to more SFP in due course. Beak trimming had a reducing effect on SFP. However, our results showed that non-beak-trimmed flocks could be kept without major outbreaks of SFP.Angela SchwarzerChristina PlattnerShana BergmannElke RauchMichael ErhardSven ReeseHelen LoutonMDPI AGarticlelayersevere feather peckinganimal welfareanimal behaviorpoultryVeterinary medicineSF600-1100ZoologyQL1-991ENAnimals, Vol 11, Iss 3085, p 3085 (2021)

Feather Pecking in Non-Beak-Trimmed and Beak-Trimmed Laying Hens on Commercial Farms with Aviaries

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