Feather-pecking and victim pigmentation

Keeling, Linda J.; Andersson, Leif; Schütz, Karin E.; Kerje, Susanne; Fredriksson, Robert; Carlborg, Örjan; Cornwallis, Charles K.; Pizzari, Tommaso; Jensen, Per

doi:10.1038/431645a

Cited by 99 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…This is consistent with previous findings, that chickens with a mutation in PMEL17, causing loss of pigmentation, are less exposed to feather-pecking than wildtype-coloured birds (Keeling et al, 2004).…”

Section: Size Of Brain and Other Organssupporting

confidence: 82%

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Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Agnvall

Bélteky

Katajamaa

et al. 2018

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Domestication of animals offers unique possibilities to study evolutionary changes caused by similar selection pressures across a range of species. Animals from separate genera tend to develop a suite of phenotypic alterations referred to as "the domesticated phenotype". This involves changes in appearance, including loss of pigmentation, and alterations in body size and proportions. Furthermore, effects on reproduction and behaviour are typical. It is hypothesized that this recurring phenotype may be secondary effects of the increased tameness that is an inevitable first step in the domestication of any species. We first provide a general overview of observations and experiments from different species and then review in more detail a project attempting to recreate the initial domestication of chickens. Starting from an outbred population of Red Junglefowl, ancestors of all modern chickens, divergent lines were selected based on scores in a standardized fear-of-human test applied to all birds at 12 weeks of age. Up to the eighth selected generation, observations have been made on correlated effects of this selection on various phenotypes. The fear score had a significant heritability and was genetically correlated to several other behavioural traits. Furthermore, low-fear birds were larger at hatch, grew faster, laid larger eggs, had a modified metabolism and increased feed efficiency, had modified social behaviour and reduced brain size. Selection affected gene expression and DNAmethylation in the brains, but the genetic and epigenetic effects were not specifically associated with stress pathways. Further research should be focused on unraveling the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the correlated side-effects of reduced fear of humans.

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Section: Size Of Brain and Other Organssupporting

confidence: 82%

“…For example, a mutation in the gene PMEL17 causes loss of pigmentation in chickens, and at the same time reduces the risk of being exposed to feather-pecking (Keeling et al, 2004). Possibly, genes related to tameness could exert pleiotropic effects on domestication phenotypes in a similar manner.…”

Section: Possible Genetic Mechanisms In Domesticationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Agnvall

Bélteky

Katajamaa

et al. 2018

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…There is evidence that many genes with minor effects are involved in the causation of feather pecking; QTL have been found, with a majority on GGA1. Keeling et al (2004) showed that a QTL for feather damage in chickens coincided with the dominant white pigmentation locus. Biscarini et al (2010) carried out a genome-wide association study and detected different chromosomal regions involved in feather damage in hens.…”

Section: Genetics Of the Behavioural Response To Changes In The Sociamentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics of behavioural adaptation of livestock to farming conditions

Canario

Mignon-Grasteau²,

Dupont‐Nivet

et al. 2013

Animal

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Behavioural adaptation of farm animals to environmental changes contributes to high levels of production under a wide range of farming conditions, from highly controlled indoor systems to harsh outdoor systems. The genetic variation in livestock behaviour is considerable. Animals and genotypes with a larger behavioural capacity for adaptation may cope more readily with varying farming conditions than those with a lower capacity for adaptation. This capacity should be exploited when the aim is to use a limited number of species extensively across the world. The genetics of behavioural traits is understood to some extent, but it is seldom accounted for in breeding programmes. This review summarizes the estimates of genetic parameters for behavioural traits in cattle, pigs, poultry and fish. On the basis of the major studies performed in the last two decades, we focus the review on traits of common interest in the four species. These concern the behavioural responses to both acute and chronic stressors in the physical environment (feed, temperature, etc.) and those in the social environment (other group members, progeny, humans). The genetic strategies used to improve the behavioural capacity for adaptation of animals differ between species. There is a greater emphasis on responses to acute environmental stress in fish and birds, and on responses to chronic social stress in mammals.

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“…Jensen et al (2003) failed to find any significant QTL for the performance of FP, but they found that plumage condition is associated with significant QTL coinciding with colour gene "Dominant white". Birds homozyous for the wild-type recessive allele were significantly more vulnerable to become a victim of FP (Keeling et al 2004). On the other side, Buitenhuis et al (2003a, b) detected a suggestive QTL for gentle FP at 6 weeks of age on chicken chromosome 10 (GGA 10) and at 30 weeks of age on GGA2.…”

Section: Housing Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feather Pecking in Laying Hens: Environmental and Endogenous Factors

Sedlačková¹,

Bilčı́k²,

Košťál³

2004

Acta Vet. Brno

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Sedlaãková M., Bilãík B., Ko‰Èál, ª.: Feather Pecking in Laying Hens: Environmental and Endogenous Factors. Acta Vet. Brno 2004, 73: 521-531.Feather pecking, pecking directed to and damaging the feathers of other birds, is a behavioural disorder occurring in laying hens and other poultry species and breeds. Feather pecking is both a welfare and economic problem. Pulling out feathers causes pain, a higher risk of injuries and can trigger an outbreak of cannibalism. Extensive loss of feather cover is accompanied by increased heat loss that results in increased food consumption. The 1999 EU Directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens approved banning of conventional battery cages from 2012. Thus in the next few years major changes to the housing of laying hens in Europe will occur. Therefore there is an urgent need to develop feasible alternative housing systems. An increased risk of feather pecking is a main obstruction to the wide adoption of alternative housing systems, such as free range, aviaries or percheries. There is a continuous effort of many research teams in Europe and elsewhere to expand our knowledge of this behavioural disturbance and maximize the chances to solve the problem. In this review we have attempted to summarise the present status of knowledge about feather pecking. Hypotheses on causation (redirected ground pecking or dustbathing), environmental factors (feeding, lighting, housing, group size, density) and endogenous factors (sex, age, genetic factors, physiological control mechanisms) are discussed and possible ways of prevention via changing environment, management practices or genetic selection are pointed out. Chicken, feather pecking, abnormal behaviour, cannibalism, housing systems

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Feather-pecking and victim pigmentation

Cited by 99 publications

References 8 publications

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Genetics of behavioural adaptation of livestock to farming conditions

Feather Pecking in Laying Hens: Environmental and Endogenous Factors

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