poultry welfare, nutrition and behaviour Flashcards
what is model wild chicken
red jungle fowl, native to SE asia
maintenance behaviours
behaviours through which animals sustain their physiological equilibrium
chicks feeding and drinking behvaiours
- strong tendency to pick at particles, shiny objects
- nipple drinkers
- directed by pecking/ vocalization from hen
- eat often, brood 23 hrs of light
adult feeding patterns
- diurnal rhythm
- feeding peak in morning, pronounced feeding peak before dusk
- fill crop to last overnight
is feed intake correlated to water consumption
yes 2:1 ratio
feed types and protein
- starter: 22% protein, hatch - 6 weeks
- grower 14-16 % protein 6-18 weeks (POL)
layer: 15-18% protein
how much food
120-160 g/ hen/ day
foraging behaviour
- pecking and scratching at ground
- appetitive component of feeding
- loose litter, non-caged systems
- caged birds; manipulate feed in feeder
movement behaviour
- wing flapping
- postural changes for heat dissipation
- large scale locomotion
comfort behaviours
- preening, wing flapping, feather ruffling, stretching
- dust and water bathing in afternoons
- dislodging parasites
- rest/ sleep
uropygial gland
preen gland
what happens pre-laying
- increased activity and restlessness 1 hr prior to lay
- hormonal changes
- search phase (average 21 nest visits)
- turning, floor scratching, collecting straw
- sit for 25-40 mins prior
why might egg eating occur
- overcrowding
- uneven nest space
- nutritional deficiency
- too bright lights
- not disposing of cracked eggs
egg eating prevention
- frequent gathering of eggs
- increasing nest availability
- darkening the nest
- beak modification
- inducing a moult
- culling
how to control broodiness
- remove from nest
- temporary separation from flock
- remove all eggs daily
chickens are _____ day breeders, what does this mean
long
- can control with lights
when do most hens lay
in the morning
stocking density for meat birds depends alot on
ventilation, must not exceed usable area within the shed
what is stocking density for free range
10 000 birds/ ha = 1 bird/ m^2
how does RSPCA approved farms work
- must go through strict audit program to ensure compliance, includes farming, transport and slaughter
- does not demand free range
what is a major clinical indicator to with feet
foot pad dermatitis, caused by wet litter
score 0= no injuries
score 1= small injuries
score 2= large injuries
other clinical indicators of welfare
foot pad dermatitis from wet litter (ammonia)
feather pecking
trimming toenails too far
what factors lead to feather pecking
- large flocks
- crowded
- poor ventilation
- too much light
- dietary deficiency
- insufficient feed or water
also scores from 0-2
