Genetic and phenotypic correlations between feather pecking and open-field response in laying hens at two different ages.
The object of this research was to study the relationship between feather pecking and open-field activity in laying hens at two different ages. A population of 550 birds of a laying hen cross was subjected to an open-field test at 5 and 29 weeks of age and to a social feather pecking test at 6 and 30 weeks of age. Factor analysis was used to identify underlying factors for each test: pecking behavior (social test) and open-field activity (open-field test). In young birds, a positive phenotypic correlation of 0.24 was found between high open-field activity and high levels of pecking behavior (ground pecking, preening, gentle feather pecking, and wall pecking). In adults, a similar genetic correlation of 0.62 was found. At adult age, the factor pecking behavior consisted mainly of gentle and severe feather pecking. Between ages, a strong, negative genetic correlation of -0.65 was found between open-field activity at young age and pecking behavior at adult age, indicating that open-field activity levels in young birds may predict pecking behavior in adult hens.
Rodenburg
T B
TB
Ethology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands. bas.rodenburg@wur.nl
Buitenhuis
A J
AJ
Ask
B
B
Uitdehaag
K A
KA
Koene
P
P
van der Poel
J J
JJ
van Arendonk
J A M
JA
Bovenhuis
H
H
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D005241:Feathers; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics*; D010058:Oviposition; D010641:Phenotype; D011930:Reaction Time