Feather pecking in laying hens: environmental and endogenous factors. A review
Sedlackova, M.(Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov) | Bilcik, B.(Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov) | Kostal, L.(Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov)E-mail:lubor.kostal@savba.sk
Feather pecking 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. 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.
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