Smothering in UK free‐range flocks. Part 1: incidence, location, timing and management

Barrett, Joe; Rayner, A. C.; Gill, R.; Willings, T. H.; Bright, Ashleigh

doi:10.1136/vr.102327

Cited by 30 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…Homogeneity between adult groups would ensure rearing treatments are most effective in the commercial setting. Previous studies have reported farmers' observations of varying occurrences of abnormal behaviours between freerange flocks in the same housing environments (Barrett et al, 2014). Thus, more research is needed to understand the influence of flock-level dynamics on ranging behaviour and welfare assessments in this group-housed species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early enrichment in free-range laying hens: effects on ranging behaviour, welfare and response to stressors

Campbell

Hinch

Downing

et al. 2018

Animal

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Free-range laying hen systems are increasing within Australia. The pullets for these systems are typically reared indoors before being provided first range access around 21 to 26 weeks of age. Thus, the rearing and laying environments are disparate and hens may not adapt well to free-range housing. In this study, we reared 290 Hy-Line® Brown day-old chicks divided into two rooms each with feed, water and litter. In the enriched room, multiple structural, manipulable, visual and auditory stimuli were also provided from 4 to 21 days, the non-enriched room had no additional objects or stimuli. Pullets were transferred to the laying facility at 12 weeks of age and divided into six pens (three enriched-reared, three non-enriched-reared) with identical indoor resources and outdoor range area. All birds were first provided range access at 21 weeks of age. Video observations of natural disturbance behaviours on the range at 22 to 23 and 33 to 34 weeks of age showed no differences in frequency of disturbance occurrences between treatment groups (P=0.09) but a decrease in disturbance occurrences over time (P<0.0001). Radio-frequency identification tracking of individually tagged birds from 21 to 37 weeks of age showed enriched birds on average, spent less time on the range each day (P<0.04) but with a higher number of range visits than non-enriched birds from 21 to 24 weeks of age (P=0.01). Enriched birds accessed the range on more days (P=0.03) but over time, most birds in both treatment groups accessed the range daily. Basic external health scoring showed minimal differences between treatment groups with most birds in visibly good condition. At 38 weeks of age all birds were locked inside for 2 days and from 40 to 42 weeks of age the outdoor range was reduced to 20% of its original size to simulate stressful events. The eggs from non-enriched birds had higher corticosterone concentrations following lock-in and 2 weeks following range reduction compared with the concentrations within eggs from enriched birds (P<0.0001). Correspondingly, the enriched hens showing a greater increase in the number of visits following range area reduction compared to non-enriched hens (P=0.02). Only one rearing room per treatment was used but these preliminary data indicate 3 weeks of early enrichment had some long-term effects on hen ranging behaviour and enhanced hen's adaptability to environmental stressors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early enrichment in free-range laying hens: effects on ranging behaviour, welfare and response to stressors

Campbell

Hinch

Downing

et al. 2018

Animal

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“…As previously reported by Barrett and others (2014), farm managers reported PS and RS interchangeably; as such, these two categories of smothering were combined and the variable ‘PSRS’ was created, indicating whether any PS or RS had occurred on farm.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They suggested that this behaviour reduces with age, as hens learn to rely on their own experience of nest box selection. Since it is around 20 weeks when the majority of NBS occur (Barrett and others 2014), it is possible that NBS are a result of this gregarious nesting behaviour. Anecdotal descriptions of NBS also tend to support the notion of gregarious nesting behaviour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research considering smothering in general have made associations with flock size and breed (De Haas and others 2013) and point of production (Bright and Johnson 2011) These studies did not, however, separate out the different smother types. The incidence, location, timing and management of Bright and Johnson's (2011) three smother categories were addressed in the first part of the questionnaire‐based study by Barrett and others (2014). Part 1 found that smothering was a common problem, with nearly 60 per cent of farm managers having experienced smothering in their last flock.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smothering in UK free‐range flocks. Part 2: investigating correlations between disease, housing and management practices

Rayner¹,

Gill²,

Brass³

et al. 2016

Veterinary Record

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Smothering, when birds group together in a way that results in death from suffocation, is a welfare and economic concern for the egg industry. This questionnaire-based study explored correlations between disease, housing, management practices and smothering on free-range farms. A binomial logistic regression approach was used to test whether question responses predicted occurrence of nest box smothers (NBS) and panic and recurring smothers (PSRS) on farms. Breed (P=0.008) and nest box manufacturer (P=0.014) predicted NBS. Breed and nest box design have been previously reported to affect nesting behaviour. The affect of nest box manufacturer found in this study may illustrate the effect of nest box design features or house layouts. Nest box manufacturer (P=0.009), feeding oyster grit or grain on the litter (P<0.001) and range use on a sunny day (P<0.001) also predicted PSRS. Implementing some management practices to encourage desirable behaviours (eg ranging) may contribute to smothering, whereas some management practices such as those aimed at occupying birds may be beneficial, illustrating the delicate balance of factors involved in free-range egg production. It is hoped that these results will stimulate further work exploring the suitability of housing design and management of laying hens in light of smothering.

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“…In that study, genetic strain of the hen was a significant factor and risks were considerably greater when hens were not beak trimmed. Smothering, another cause of mortality for hens housed in large group sizes, occurs when birds mass together and pile on top of one another [90]. Piling can occur when birds become frightened and panic or when they crowd together at different times of day to access different resources, for example in communal nests [91] or to dust bathe on litter [92].…”

Section: Welfare Trade-offs Related To Different Laying Hen Housing Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability in the Canadian Egg Industry—Learning from the Past, Navigating the Present, Planning for the Future

et al. 2018

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Like other livestock sectors, the Canadian egg industry has evolved substantially over time and will likely experience similarly significant change looking forward, with many of these changes determining the sustainability implications of and for the industry. Influencing factors include: technological and management changes at farm level and along the value chain resulting in greater production efficiencies and improved life cycle resource efficiency and environmental performance; a changing policy/regulatory environment; and shifts in societal expectations and associated market dynamics, including increased attention to animal welfare outcomes-especially in regard to changes in housing systems for laying hens. In the face of this change, effective decision-making is needed to ensure the sustainability of the Canadian egg industry. Attention both to lessons from the past and to the emerging challenges that will shape its future is required and multi-and interdisciplinary perspectives are needed to understand synergies and potential trade-offs between alternative courses of action across multiple aspects of sustainability. Here, we consider the past, present and potential futures for this industry through the lenses of environmental, institutional (i.e., regulatory), and socio-economic sustainability, with an emphasis on animal welfare as an important emergent social consideration. Our analysis identifies preferred pathways, potential pitfalls, and outstanding cross-disciplinary research questions.

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Smothering in UK free‐range flocks. Part 1: incidence, location, timing and management

Cited by 30 publications

References 3 publications

Early enrichment in free-range laying hens: effects on ranging behaviour, welfare and response to stressors

Early enrichment in free-range laying hens: effects on ranging behaviour, welfare and response to stressors

Smothering in UK free‐range flocks. Part 2: investigating correlations between disease, housing and management practices

Sustainability in the Canadian Egg Industry—Learning from the Past, Navigating the Present, Planning for the Future

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