Poultry Behaviour Flashcards
What is a morphological feature of chickens?
Comb size
Comb size varies among different breeds of chickens.
What is a notable characteristic of quail?
Large numbers of sexually dimorphic feathers around head and neck
This feature helps in sexual selection.
What is unique about turkey necks?
Necks are featherless
This adaptation may play a role in thermoregulation.
What is a snood?
A fleshy growth on the beak of turkeys
It can indicate health and dominance.
How does social behavior affect reproduction in broiler breeders?
Feed restricted birds show that dominant birds become fat while subordinates thin, affecting egg production
This dynamic can lead to unequal mating opportunities.
What happens to subordinate roosters in terms of sexual maturity?
They show delayed sexual maturity
This can impact overall breeding success within the flock.
What is a consequence of dominant males mating more?
There might be females who are never mated in a breeding flock
This can lead to genetic bottlenecks.
What is common practice in housing chickens until breeding age?
House males and females separately
This reduces early reproductive behaviors.
How does visibility of males affect egg production in hens?
Hens lay earlier if they can see and hear males
This indicates the importance of social cues in reproductive timing.
What is the effect of increasing group size on poultry?
Higher mortality and damage, more stress
Larger groups can lead to increased competition and aggression.
What is the relationship between stocking density and poultry health?
Increased stocking density shows increased mortality, feather damage, and cannibalism
This indicates the need for careful management in commercial settings.
True or False: Birds generally like unfamiliar birds.
False
Birds prefer familiar companions for social cohesion.
What is the impact of mixing unfamiliar hens?
Hens will mix with unfamiliar hens after only a few hours
This suggests a level of adaptability in social structures.
What factors influence social interactions in adult breeding flocks?
Mixing of males and females close to sexual maturity
The dynamics of these interactions are not fully understood.
How does social rank affect feeding behavior in laying hens?
Interaction between social rank, aggression, feeding behavior, and egg production
Aggressive strains can impact overall flock productivity.
What is the dominant male’s behavior towards younger males?
Tolerant of younger males, not of older males
This behavior helps maintain hierarchy within the flock.
What is the significance of vocalizations in chickens?
Chickens have 31 calls, with crowing used for territorial control
Crowing frequency correlates with comb length.
What is a common social structure in Red Jungle Fowl?
Flocks between 4 and 30, mixed sex
Dominant males defend the boundaries of their territory.
What are the two theories related to abnormal behavior in poultry?
Related to dust bathing and redirection of ground pecking
These behaviors can lead to issues like feather pecking.
What are the primary social groupings for laying hens?
Housed in groups of 3 to 60 in cages or barns with thousands of birds
This can lead to increased competition for resources.
What is the primary cause of cannibalism in poultry?
Multifactorial causes including light intensity, housing system, and nutrition
Addressing these factors is crucial for welfare.
What is the breeding system often observed in turkeys?
Artificial insemination
This is common in commercial turkey production.
What is the impact of group size on aggression in poultry?
The impact on aggression is curvilinear
Small and large groups may exhibit different aggression levels.
What is the purpose of male courtship displays?
To attract females
Displays can include plumage and specific behaviors.
