Presence of roosters in an alternative egg production system aiming at animal welfare

Pereira, Dayana Cristina de Oliveira; Miranda, Késia Oliveira da Silva; Filho, Luiz Carlos Demattê; Pereira, Gustavo do Valle; Piedade, Sônia Maria de Stéfano; Berno, Patricia Rodrigues

doi:10.1590/s1806-92902017000300001

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In addition, the systems provide free dietary choice for laying hens to promote their foraging activities, thus improving animal welfare [ 145 ]. Finally, putting roosters and laying hens together reduces the incidence of fear and feather damage in laying hens, and the presence of a rooster broadens the behavioural repertoire of laying hens [ 146 ]. Notably, predation was not yet a key concern.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

Yan

Yang

Zhu

et al. 2022

Animals

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The welfare of laying hens in cage systems is of increasing concern. Represented by the European Union’s ‘End the Cage Age’ initiative, more and more countries have advocated cage-free farming. China, an important country for poultry farming and consumption in the world, is highly dependent on cage systems and lacks confidence in alternative (e.g., free-range) systems. In this context, using China’s abundant woodland resources (including natural forests, plantations, and commercial forests) to facilitate the management of laying hens in a free-range environment may provide highly promising welfare improvement programs. On the basis of the Five Freedoms, we assess the welfare status of understory laying hen management systems with reference to the behavioural needs and preferences of laying hens and the EU standards for free-range and organic production (highest animal welfare standards in the world). The results show that the considered systems meet or even exceed these standards, in terms of key indicators such as outdoor and indoor stocking density, outdoor activity time, and food and drug use. Specifically, the systems provide sufficient organic food for laying hens without using antibiotics. They allow laying hens to avoid beak trimming, as well as to express nesting, foraging, perching, reproductive, dustbathing and other priority behaviours. The presence of roosters and higher use of woodland space allow the laying hens to achieve better feather and bone conditions, thus reducing stress and fear damage. Notably, the predation problem is not yet considered significant. Second, there is evidence that understory laying hen systems are profitable and have been welcomed and supported by farmers and governments in the southwest, south, and north of China. However, whether it can be scaled up is uncertain, and further research is needed. In addition, laying hens in this management system face various risks, such as foot injury, parasitism, and high dependence on consumer markets, which must be considered. Overall, agro-forestry, or accurately, understory poultry raising, provides opportunities and possibilities for free-range laying hens and welfare improvement in China and other countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

Yan

Yang

Zhu

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Sexual courtship behavior is performed before the cover and involves wing movements and vocalizations from males to females. It is usually exhibited by the dominated males instead of heavier ones (PEREIRA et al 2017).…”

Section: Sexual Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Comportamento de galinhas domésticas – percepções de uma revisão narrativa

Carvalho

Oliveira

Galli

et al. 2022

Rev. Ciênc. Agrovet.

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A intensificação do sistema de produção avícola trouxe profundas mudanças no ambiente físico e social das aves domésticas. O manejo dessas aves tem recebido considerável atenção nos últimos anos devido às novas demandas por parte dos consumidores, principalmente aquelas relacionadas ao bem-estar. O comportamento é a maneira como os animais respondem aos diferentes estímulos que encontram em seu ambiente. As expressões comportamentais das aves domésticas e a aplicação desse conhecimento no cuidado dos animais desempenha um papel importante na maximização da eficiência de produção da cadeia avícola. Assim, definir limites éticos e diretrizes para a produção avícola é fundamental para fomentar o desenvolvimento de novas práticas produtivas, e assim garantir qualidade e produtividade sem colocar em risco o bem-estar dos animais. Esta revisão destacará as principais expressões comportamentais das aves domésticas, dentre elas as expressões sociais, alimentares, reprodutivas, além de estereotipias, e identificará as estratégias de adaptação social. Assim, promovera ao leitor e a comunidade científica uma melhor compreensão de assuntos pouco discutidos para assim auxiliar em análises comportamentais.

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“…However, female welfare can be improved by providing wood panels so that females can be out of sight of males [ 77 , 78 ]. The presence of males can positively improve female survival rates [ 79 ]. Thus, finding a way to successfully house hens with roosters could have a positive impact on female welfare.…”

Section: The Social Life Of Fowlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sophisticated Fowl: The Complex Behaviour and Cognitive Skills of Chickens and Red Junglefowl

Garnham

Løvlie

2018

Behavioral Sciences

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The world’s most numerous bird, the domestic chicken, and their wild ancestor, the red junglefowl, have long been used as model species for animal behaviour research. Recently, this research has advanced our understanding of the social behaviour, personality, and cognition of fowl, and demonstrated their sophisticated behaviour and cognitive skills. Here, we overview some of this research, starting with describing research investigating the well-developed senses of fowl, before presenting how socially and cognitively complex they can be. The realisation that domestic chickens, our most abundant production animal, are behaviourally and cognitively sophisticated should encourage an increase in general appraise and fascination towards them. In turn, this should inspire increased use of them as both research and hobby animals, as well as improvements in their unfortunately often poor welfare.

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Presence of roosters in an alternative egg production system aiming at animal welfare

Cited by 5 publications

References 24 publications

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

The Potential of Understory Production Systems to Improve Laying Hen Welfare

Comportamento de galinhas domésticas – percepções de uma revisão narrativa

Sophisticated Fowl: The Complex Behaviour and Cognitive Skills of Chickens and Red Junglefowl

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