Thesis
Effects of play experience on fear-related behavior of chickens
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105442
Abstract
The welfare of laying hens is a topic of concern to the public and egg producers, since poor welfare may reduce consumer confidence and decrease production. Play behavior is a rewarding activity thought to have benefits including increased coping ability during novel, unanticipated events. Play, mainly studied in mammals, has received less attention in birds, especially poultry. In this thesis, literature on play, chickens, and welfare assessment is reviewed to explore the possibility of stimulating play in chickens, to enhance well-being, productivity, and public perception. Running with inedible worm-like objects and repeatedly jumping on swinging perches in safe environments are possible forms of play in chickens. I hypothesized that stimulating chicken play by providing worm-like objects and swinging perches in home-cages would reduce fear in future unanticipated situations and enhance body condition. To test this hypothesis, 8 cages each containing 9 female White Leghorn chicks were assigned to one of two 'worm' treatments ('worms' for 30 min/day or no 'worms' provided) and one of two perch treatments (permanent swinging perch in cage or no perch provided) in a randomized block design. At 5 and 10 weeks of age, effects of 'worm' and perch provision on fear-related responses of 4 chickens/cage were investigated using standardized fear tests: open field, novel object, handling, and tonic immobility tests. At 10 weeks, the same birds were subjected to previous tests while 4 other chickens/cage were subjected to variations of these tests. All chickens were weighed and examined for skin lesions weekly. Chickens provided with 'worms' weighed significantly more at 10 and 11 weeks, and exhibited longer durations in the center of the open field and higher rates of wing flapping during handling. Chickens provided with a swinging perch weighed significantly more at 7 weeks of age. Differences in behavior at 5 versus 10 weeks were consistent with an interpretation of reduced fear with age whereas effects of the 'worm' and perch treatments on fear-related behavior were less robust. In conclusion, the results suggest that there could be benefits to providing 'worms' to improve productivity and well-being of chickens.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of play experience on fear-related behavior of chickens
- Creators
- Nicole Sabina Dossey
- Contributors
- Ruth C. Newberry (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Animal Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525295501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis