Individual Ranging Behaviour Patterns in Commercial Free-Range Layers as Observed through RFID Tracking

Abstract

Simple SummaryUnderstanding of how free-range laying hens on commercial farms utilize the outdoor space provided is limited. In order to optimise use of the range, it is important to understand whether hens vary in their ranging behaviour, both between and within individual hens. In our study, we used individual tracking technology to assess how hens in two commercial free-range flocks used the range and whether they varied in their use of the range. We assessed use of three areas at increasing distance from the shed; the veranda [0–2.4 m], close range [2.4–11.4 m], and far range [>11.4 m]. Most hens accessed the range every day (68.6% in Flock A, and 82.2% in Flock B), and most hens that ranged accessed all three areas (73.7% in Flock A, and 84.5% in Flock B). Hens spent half of their time outside in the veranda adjacent to the shed. We found that some hens within the flocks would range consistently (similar duration and frequency) daily, whereas others would range inconsistently. Hens that were more consistent in their ranging behaviour spent more time on the range overall than those that were inconsistent. These different patterns of range use should be taken into account to assess the implications of ranging for laying hens. AbstractIn this exploratory study, we tracked free-range laying hens on two commercial flocks with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with the aim to examine individual hen variation in range use. Three distinct outdoor zones were identified at increasing distances from the shed; the veranda [0–2.4 m], close range [2.4–11.4 m], and far range [>11.4 m]. Hens’ movements between these areas were tracked using radio frequency identification technology. Most of the hens in both flocks (68.6% in Flock A, and 82.2% in Flock B) accessed the range every day during the study. Of the hens that accessed the range, most hens accessed all three zones (73.7% in Flock A, and 84.5% in Flock B). Hens spent half of their time outdoors in the veranda area. Within-individual consistency of range use (daily duration and frequency) varied considerably, and hens which were more consistent in their daily range use spent more time on the range overall (p < 0.001). Understanding variation within and between individuals in ranging behaviour may help elucidate the implications of ranging for laying hens.

Behavioural repertoire of free‐range laying hens indoors and outdoors, and in relation to distance from the shed

“…Conversely, hens also spent a large proportion of their time foraging in the wintergarden, likely stimulated by the presence of litter . Indeed, hens foraged mostly in the wintergarden or in the far range, but a complementary RFID tracking study of the same study flock (referred to as Flock A) showed that hens spent half of their time outdoors in the wintergarden and less time further away in the range.…”

“…If the same focal hen was randomly chosen again within the same recording, the nearest hen was used instead. Individual hens were not identified, but a complimentary study of the same flock showed that hens spent, on average, less than 20 min in each outdoor area, meaning it is unlikely the same hens were recorded in consecutive videos. The number of focal birds was also recorded, because some time points had less than five focal birds present.…”

“…Free‐range egg production has increased in Australia in recent years, partly driven by the belief that allowing laying hens to access an outdoor area may promote the expression of a wider range of behaviours, which appears to reinforce consumer views of free‐range products as welfare‐friendly . Although there is literature about use of the outdoor range, little is known about the specific behaviours performed by hens while on the range on commercial farms, apart from recent studies by Chielo et al who reported that hens stood under cover near the shed and used the outer range for walking and foraging, and Larsen et al who showed that hen behaviour varied according to locations in the range that differed in ground substrate and cover …”

Review: Automated techniques for monitoring the behaviour and welfare of broilers and laying hens: towards the goal of precision livestock farming

“…However, each hen within a group has a different ranging behavioural pattern. To monitor the outdoor ranging behaviour of individual chickens, RFID systems have been used by attaching tags on chickens and putting antennas at pop holes, through which chickens move inside and outside (Gebhardt-Henrich et al, 2014;Campbell et al, 2017;Larsen et al, 2017). The frequency and duration of visiting the outdoor areas are then calculated by analysing data from chickens walking over the antennas.…”

Intelligent Management of Chemical Warehouses with RFID Systems

“…For the first problem, we can use indicators such as the reading frequency, phase value, and RSSI of the tag [14][15][16]. The phase difference and the received signal strength indication reflect the difference between the real received signal and the antenna transmitted signal [17][18][19]. As it is related to the environment, the phase value and RSSI of the tag are affected by the multipath effect in the environment [20,21].…”