Effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of feather pecking in pullets and laying hens – A focused review

Schreiter, Ruben; Damme, K.; Borell, Eberhard von; Vogt, Isabelle; Freick, Markus

doi:10.1002/vms3.184

Cited by 30 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The supply of additional environmental enrichment materials ( EM ) is an approach thought to reduce feather pecking and cannibalism (reviewed by Schreiter et al., 2019 ). However, consistent evidence of the effect of additional EM on animal losses and biological performance in littered housing systems is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary—Part 2: physical development of pullets and performance, egg quality, and carcass composition in laying hens

Schreiter¹,

Damme

Raoult

et al. 2020

Poultry Science

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Feather pecking and cannibalism are 2 major problems in laying hens' husbandry. Although additional environmental enrichment material ( EM ) supply is thought to lessen these problems, consistent evidences are lacking. This study examined the effects of EM supply (pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on biological performance, carcass composition, and animal losses in a littered housing system. 2,000 brown-egg and 2,000 white-egg layer hen pullets of the genetic strains Lohmann Brown classic and Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic, respectively, were reared separately in a 16-compartment aviary system until week 18. 1,320 remaining laying hens were then transferred to a 44-compartment laying stable (weeks 19–48). Both strains were tested under 4 treatment variants (n = 150–180 per strain and per variant): V1—no EM over the entire study period; V2—the rearing period with and the laying period without EM; V3—the rearing period without and the laying period with EM; V4—EM over the entire study period. Data on development, performance, egg quality, feed intake, EM consumption, animal losses, carcass composition, and economic traits were collected. Enrichment material supply during rearing (V2 and V4, both strains) was found to globally increase not only hens' relative gizzard mass ( P = 0.036) but also the cracked eggs' percentage (compared with V3; P = 0.008) and to decrease the body mass in weeks 6 ( P = 0.023) and 8 ( P = 0.023) and the uniformity in week 16 ( P = 0.011). Enrichment material provision during the laying period (V3 and V4, both strains) increased egg weights ( P = 0.028) and the mean body mass ( P = 0.036); however, continuous provision of EM (V4, both strains) increased the floor eggs' percentage ( P = 0.019). The EM supply did not affect mortality, loss of production days, losses due to skin and toe cannibalism, or the income over feed costs. However, the income over feed and enrichment costs of V1 hens was higher by 0.55 €/hen than that of V4 hens ( P = 0.022). Therefore, EM supply cannot be recommended as a measure to increase laying performance and reduce animal losses, but its positive effects on animal welfare should be considered.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary—Part 2: physical development of pullets and performance, egg quality, and carcass composition in laying hens

Schreiter¹,

Damme

Raoult

et al. 2020

Poultry Science

Self Cite

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“…As reported previously, greatest range use can be achieved by letting the hens use the range as early as possible (Petek et al, 2015). Maintaining litter quality in litter area is the single most important enrichment you can provide to reduce the risk of feather pecking (Temple et al, 2017) and pecking stones or alfaalfa bales can be useful for attracting birds to the litter (Schreiter et al, 2019). Rearing environment can also play an important role in the later development of pecking problems (Janczak and Riber 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effects of Housing Locations on Feather Damages of Laying Hens in a Free-Range Housing System

Petek

2021

J Hellenic Vet Med Soc

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This study was made to evaluate the effects of different locations of a free range housing system on feather damages of laying hens. The experimental house consisted of three different locations as closed indoor plastic slats, closed indoor litter and outdoor range area. The birds were able to move freely between the locations of the experimental house and they had continuous access to outdoor range during the day. The feather damages of the birds was evaluated with a distance scoring system at 64 weeks of age. Five area in each location of the experimental house were determined at first and then feather damages of five body parts of ten birds in each location were scored to measure plumage quality. Total feather score was defined as the sum of the scores of five body parts of the birds. Best plumage quality was measured in neck in all housing locations (P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.01) and total feather score of the birds was significantly greatest (worst) in slats (P<0.05).

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“…A meta-analysis of publications from 1985 to 2004 found variable environmental and cognitive enrichment to be absent or at least very rare in farm animals (de Azevedo et al, 2007), most likely due to feasibility and costs. Enrichment in commercial poultry farming commonly consists of inflexible items such as pecking stones, alfalfa bales, strings or straw (Schreiter et al, 2019). In recent years, the appraisal and discussion of cognitive skills of farm animals has received more attention, implying an important need for more mental stimulation for livestock in farm settings (Nawroth et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple but Complex—A Laying Hen Study as Proof of Concept of a Novel Method for Cognitive Enrichment and Research

Schmelz

Krause

2021

Front. Anim. Sci.

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Enrichment can reduce stress and stereotypic behavior and therefore enhance captive animal welfare. In cognitive enrichment, cognitive tasks engage and challenge the animals' natural behavioral repertoire and provide mental stimulation. Enrichment with similarities to “puzzle boxes” in cognitive research is widespread in zoos but rarely applied in commercial farming, as it requires costly time and effort. Here, we introduce a flexible method for cognitive enrichment and research. The test battery apparatus (TBA) is a configurable cubic box with frames for interchangeable test panels, each holding a problem-solving task that must be solved for a food reward. As a proof of concept, we report observations and first results from two groups of laying hens (Gallus gallus forma domestica; 52 birds in total) to show the TBA's feasibility in commercial farming and to investigate the animals' spontaneous interaction with four test panels. While we could not reliably identify individuals, we found the majority of the hens highly motivated to engage with the device. At least five individuals in each group were successful and there was a significant gradient of success rates across the four panels. As the implementation and maintenance required little time and effort, the TBA is promising as a cognitive enrichment device in farm settings. Its potentially limitless configurations allow diverse opportunities for cognitive and behavioral engagement in the long term. While further studies will be crucial to validate welfare effects and problem-solving tasks, the TBA is simple in its application but complex in its possibilities.

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Effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of feather pecking in pullets and laying hens – A focused review

Cited by 30 publications

References 36 publications

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary—Part 2: physical development of pullets and performance, egg quality, and carcass composition in laying hens

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary—Part 2: physical development of pullets and performance, egg quality, and carcass composition in laying hens

Effects of Housing Locations on Feather Damages of Laying Hens in a Free-Range Housing System

Simple but Complex—A Laying Hen Study as Proof of Concept of a Novel Method for Cognitive Enrichment and Research

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