| Vocalisations and acoustic parameters of flock noise from feather pecking and non-feather pecking laying flocks. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 18568747 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
1. In this study, the calling rates of vocalisations known to indicate distress and aversive events (Alarm calls, Squawks, Total vocalisations) and acoustic parameters of flock noise were quantified from feather and non-feather pecking laying flocks. 2. One hour of flock noise (background machinery and hen vocalisations) was recorded from 21 commercial free-range laying hen flocks aged > or =35 weeks. Ten of the flocks were classified as feather pecking (based on a plumage condition score) and 11 as non-feather pecking. 3. Recordings were made using a Sony DAT recorder and Audio-Technica omni-directional microphone, placed in the centre of the house-1.5 m from the ground. Avisoft-SASlab Pro was used to create and analyse audio spectrograms. 4. There was no effect of flock size or farm on call/s or acoustic parameters of flock noise. However, strain had an effect on the number of Total vocalisation/s; the Hebden Black flock made more calls than Lohmann flocks. Feather pecking flocks gave more Squawk/s and more Total vocalisation/s than non-feather pecking flocks. Feather pecking did not explain variation in alarm call rate or, intensity (dB) and frequency (Hz) measures of flock noise. 5. The differences between Squawk and Total vocalisation call rates of feather and non-feather pecking flocks are a new finding. An increase or change in flock calling rate may be evident before other conventional measures of laying hen welfare such as a drop in egg production or increase in plumage damage, thus enabling farmers to make management or husbandry changes to prevent an outbreak of feather pecking. |
| | |
Authors:
|
A Bright |
Related Documents
:
|
1427697 - Involvement in productive activities and satisfaction with living situation among sever... 16672087 - Covering ent out of hours: how confident are senior house officers? 14454677 - Acrosome formation in the house cricket. 20220247 - A pathway to a more sustainable water sector: sustainability-based asset management. 12398367 - Developing effective environmental indicators--does a new dog need old tricks? 22276277 - Trainees in the practice - practical issues. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: British poultry science Volume: 49 ISSN: 1466-1799 ISO Abbreviation: Br. Poult. Sci. Publication Date: 2008 May |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2008-06-23 Completed Date: 2008-08-06 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 15740290R Medline TA: Br Poult Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 241-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Animal Behaviour Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England. ashleigh.bright@faifarming.plus.com |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Aggression Animals Behavior, Animal* Chickens / physiology* Feathers Female Housing, Animal Noise* Oviposition Vocalization, Animal* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Evaluation of the performance of different cleaning treatments in reducing microbial contamination o...
Next Document: Role of loose feathers on the development of feather pecking in laying hens.