Mothering influences the distribution of activity in young domestic chicks.
The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of a maternal hen influences the quality, quantity, and distribution of activity in young chicks. Brooded and nonbrooded chicks were observed during the entire light phase when they were 4 d of age. Our results revealed that although both brooded and nonbrooded chicks expressed the same behavioral items and in quite the same quantity, activity bouts were much longer in brooded chicks. However, only brooded chicks presented a high level of ultradian rhythmicity. Moreover, the brooded chicks made greater use of the space. The presence and the behavior of maternal hens appeared to provide structuring factors for the expression of the chicks behavior.
Wauters
Aline-Marie
AM
UMR 6552-Ethologie-Evolution-Ecologie, Rennes, France. marie-annick.richard@univ-rennes1.fr
Perré
Yvan
Y
Bizeray
Dorothée
D
Leterrier
Christine
C
Richard-Yris
Marie-Annick
MA
D000204:Activity Cycles / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*