The relation between fearfulness in young and stress-response in adult laying hens, on individual and group level

Haas, E.N. de; Kops, Marjolein S.; Bolhuis, J.E.; Groothuis, Ton G. G.; Ellen, E.D.; Rodenburg, T.B.

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.08.002

Cited by 50 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…In generation 2, hens of HIGH showed less fear-related behavior than hens from the founder line (Bolhuis et al, 2009). This was confirmed both in young (before cannibalism develops) and in adult birds using sibs of generation 4 (Rodenburg et al, 2009a,b; Nordquist et al, 2011; de Haas et al, 2012). In generation 2, hens of HIGH had higher whole-blood serotonin concentrations and a lower platelet serotonin uptake velocity than hens of the founder line, indicating differences in functional activity of the serotonergic system (Bolhuis et al, 2009).…”

Section: Empirical Evidence Of Social Genetic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The prospects of selection for social genetic effects to improve welfare and productivity in livestock

et al. 2014

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Social interactions between individuals living in a group can have both positive and negative effects on welfare, productivity, and health of these individuals. Negative effects of social interactions in livestock are easier to observe than positive effects. For example, laying hens may develop feather pecking, which can cause mortality due to cannibalism, and pigs may develop tail biting or excessive aggression. Several studies have shown that social interactions affect the genetic variation in a trait. Genetic improvement of socially-affected traits, however, has proven to be difficult until relatively recently. The use of classical selection methods, like individual selection, may result in selection responses opposite to expected, because these methods neglect the effect of an individual on its group mates (social genetic effects). It has become clear that improvement of socially-affected traits requires selection methods that take into account not only the direct effect of an individual on its own phenotype but also the social genetic effects, also known as indirect genetic effects, of an individual on the phenotypes of its group mates. Here, we review the theoretical and empirical work on social genetic effects, with a focus on livestock. First, we present the theory of social genetic effects. Subsequently, we evaluate the evidence for social genetic effects in livestock and other species, by reviewing estimates of genetic parameters for direct and social genetic effects. Then we describe the results of different selection experiments. Finally, we discuss issues concerning the implementation of social genetic effects in livestock breeding programs. This review demonstrates that selection for socially-affected traits, using methods that target both the direct and social genetic effects, is a promising, but sometimes difficult to use in practice, tool to simultaneously improve production and welfare in livestock.

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Section: Empirical Evidence Of Social Genetic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 75%

The prospects of selection for social genetic effects to improve welfare and productivity in livestock

et al. 2014

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“…The level of stress experienced by the bird in a specific situation can potentially be evaluated based on behavioural observations, i.e. by measurement of the distance that can be covered while approaching a bird before it escapes, the intensity of locomotion in the experimental box, or the intensity and quantity of the sounds produced by the bird (Stankowich and Blumstein 2005;Forkman et al 2007;Zimmerman et al 2011;de Haas et al 2012). However, no correlation between the behaviour of hens and the corticosterone level was found in the present investigations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Level of stress in relation to emotional reactivity of hens

Kozak

Rozempolska-Rucińska

Kasperek

et al. 2019

Italian Journal of Animal Science

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The aim of the study was to associate behavioural reactions of laying hens with the level of stress and to answer the question whether it is possible to select reactions that will facilitate phenotypic assessment of the level of stress in these birds. The investigations were carried out in 50 Green-legged Partridge, 50 Polbar and 50 Leghorn birds. A modified open-field test (MOFT) and a tonic immobility test were applied. Next, the quality of feathers was evaluated and the level of corticosterone in the feathers was determined. The corticosterone level was assessed in relation to the genetic group and feather quality and in relation to the probability of the presence/absence of specific physiological-behavioural reactions. The analysis of the results revealed no correlations between the corticosterone level in the feathers and the quality of the feathers. In turn, there was a correlation between the hen breed and the corticosterone level in the feathers: a significant difference was found between Zk and Pb hens. It was demonstrated that the corticosterone level was significantly higher in birds that exhibited such behaviours as preening in the open-field test. To sum up the results, it can be concluded that such behaviours as feather preening and latency until tonic immobility occurs can be indicators of stress in laying hens. HIGHLIGHTSThere was a correlation between the breed and the corticosterone level in the feathers: there was a significant difference between the Green-legged Partridge (3.97 ± 0.17) and Polbar (4.50 ± 0.19) hens. No significant correlations were found between the corticosterone level and the behavioural reactivity in the analysed hens. It was demonstrated that the corticosterone level was significantly higher in birds that exhibited self-grooming behaviours in the open-field test (4.61) than in hens that did not show such behaviours (3.91). ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…Some evidence suggests there is social transmission of feather pecking (e.g. Zeltner et al, 2000;McAdie and Keeling, 2002), and also transmission of fear by a few individuals that increase stress levels in the remainder of the group (de Haas et al, 2012). To the best of the author's knowledge, there are currently no data available on the social dynamics of free-range environments, such as whether dominance hierarchies influence ranging, or if subgroups form within outdoor-and indoor-preferring birds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor stocking density in free-range laying hens: effects on behaviour and welfare

Campbell

Hinch

Downing

et al. 2017

Animal

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Free-range laying hen systems are increasing within Australia and research is needed to determine optimal outdoor stocking densities. Six small (n=150 hens) experimental flocks of ISA Brown laying hens were housed with access to ranges simulating one of three outdoor stocking densities with two pen replicates per density: 2000 hens/ha, 10 000 hens/ha or 20 000 hens/ha. Birds were provided daily range access from 21 to 36 weeks of age and the range usage of 50% of hens was tracked using radio-frequency identification technology. Throughout the study, basic external health assessments following a modified version of the Welfare Quality® protocol showed most birds were in visibly good condition (although keel damage was increasingly present with age) with few differences between stocking densities. Toenail length at 36 weeks of age was negatively correlated with hours spent ranging for all pens of birds (all r⩾-0.23, P⩽0.04). At 23 weeks of age, there were no differences between outdoor stocking densities in albumen corticosterone concentrations (P=0.44). At 35 weeks of age, density effects were significant (P<0.001) where the eggs from hens in the highest outdoor stocking density showed the highest albumen corticosterone concentrations, although eggs from hens in the 10 000 hens/ha density showed the lowest concentrations (P<0.017). Behavioural observations of hens both on the range and indoors showed more dust bathing and foraging (scratching followed by ground-pecking) was performed outdoors, but more resting indoors (all P<0.001). Hens from the 2000 hens/ha densities showed the least foraging on the range but the most resting outdoors, with hens from the 20 000 hens/ha densities showing the least amount of resting outdoors (all P<0.017). Proportions of dust bathing outdoors tended to differ between the stocking densities (P=0.08). For each of the health and behavioural measures there were differences between pen replicates within stocking densities. These data show outdoor stocking density has some effects on hen welfare, and it appears that consideration of both individual and group-level behaviour is necessary when developing optimal stocking density guidelines and free-range system management practices.

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The relation between fearfulness in young and stress-response in adult laying hens, on individual and group level

Cited by 50 publications

References 54 publications

The prospects of selection for social genetic effects to improve welfare and productivity in livestock

The prospects of selection for social genetic effects to improve welfare and productivity in livestock

Level of stress in relation to emotional reactivity of hens

Outdoor stocking density in free-range laying hens: effects on behaviour and welfare

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