Effect of vertical food‐trough dividers on the feeding and agonistic behaviour of layer hens

Abstract

1. Opaque, vertical dividers were used to create either one or two feeding spaces in front of each cage. Three hens were housed in each 310 x 510 mm cage. 2. The effects of these dividers on feeding, extending head out of the cage front and agonistic behaviour were compared with undivided areas. Body weights were also recorded. 3. Compared with controls (unmodified feeding space), birds with two feeding spaces per cage spent less time feeding and head out, had fewer feeding bouts, received fewer agonistic head pecks overall and weighed less at the end of lay. 4. Access to the food trough was through 5 spaces separated by the vertical wire divisions of the cage front. Regardless of treatment group, most activity at the cage front occurred through the second space in from either side of the cage. 5. The data are discussed in relation to the social controls which may affect trough use, the potential for improving cage design by modifying the design of the feeding area, and the validity of research trials which use food trough dividers to separate treatment groups.

Applications of Behavior to Poultry Management

“…Tauson (1981) and Preston and Mulder (1989) demonstrated how simple modifications to cage fronts can improve feeding behavior by reducing agonistic behavior. Murphy and Preston (1988) observed feeding and drinking behavior and efficiency as related to equipment design.…”