Research note: genetic adaptation to multiple-bird cage environment is less evident with effective beak trimming.
Selection of hens with intact beaks for high performance in multiple-bird cages has produced a stock that clearly exceeds its unselected control when hens have intact beaks but shows less advantage when comparisons involve effectively beak-trimmed birds. The selected stock performed at about the same level as a stock recently derived from a commercial source (but with two generations of relaxed selection) when birds had intact beaks but at a lower level when birds had their beaks trimmed. Relative incidences of deaths from cannibalistic pecking were partially responsible for the results obtained.
Craig
J V
JV
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
Muir
W M
WM
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001502:Beak / Q000254:growth & development; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010058:Oviposition