Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
XVth EUROPEAN POULTRY CONFERENCE, Dubrovnik, Hırvatistan, 17 - 21 Eylül 2018, ss.558
Behaviours and Feather Condition in Laying Hens
Abstract ID: 136
S. Kamanlı2, A. Nuri Taşdemir2, Ş. Demirtaş2, E. Tülek2, M. Pekcan3, E. Kurtdede3,
H. Öztürk3, S. Özkan1
1Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, İzmir, Turkey,
2Poultry Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey, 3Ankara University, Veterinary Faculty, Ankara,
Turkey
Feather pecking in laying hens is a serious behavioural problem and has negative
impact on bird’s welfare and productivity. Genetics, nutritional and managemental
factors beside developmental stages of birds affecting feather pecking have long been
studied. However, there is no clear solution available by now. Therefore, this study
aimed to investigate differences in feather pecking behaviour and feather condition
of local layer hybrids that developed and commercialyy available in Ankara Poultry
Research Institute. A total of 576 hens from three genotypes namely Atabey (white
egg), Atak, and Atak-S (brown egg), 192 each, were used. Birds were kept at enriched
cages in two adjacent environmentally controlled rooms by 64 wk. Each room contained
18 cages (240×63.5×68 cm) with 16 hens each. Genotypes were represented with 6
cages per room (12 cages/genotype) as experimental unit. Observations for feather
pecking behaviour were made using video records obtained from 4 cages/genotype in 2
consequent days on 24 and 30 weeks of ages during photoperiod (14 h). However, time
sampling (1 minute in every hour) was used for data collection; and gentle, severe and
aggressive pecks given to cage mates were counted. Each bird was scored for feather
condition at the age of 64 wk. Each body part (head-upper neck, back, ramp, tail,
cloaca-abdomen, breast, and wings) was scored using a scale 0 (best) to 5 (worst).
Behaviour data were analysed by generalized estimating equations (GEE) using logistic
regression procedure (PROC GENMOD) of SAS statistical software with a model including
age, genotype, age by genotype interaction, and room effect. Cage effect was nested
within genotype and room effects. ANOVA was performed for feather condition and
the model included genotype, room, and interaction effects; and cage within room and
genotype. Statistical significance was based on P ≤0.05. Severe and aggressive pecking
counts significantly differed with genotype (P ≤0.05). Odd ratios revealed that both
brown egg layers, Atak and Atak-S, showed a higher tendency to perform severe pecks
as compared with the white egg layer Atabey (OR=3.17 and 3.44 for Atak and Atak-S
genotypes using Atabey as reference). Higher aggressive peck counts were observed in
Atak-S than Atak (OR=1.75) and Atabey (OR=2.24). Gentle feather peck counts did not
differ with genotype. There were significant differences among genotypes for feather
condition (P≤0.05) and Atabey had the best score (17.03) while Atak was worst (28.15)
and Atak-S (26.27) was intermediate.
This study has been funded by TAGEM/HAYSUD/A/16/A06/P03/01.