We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Effects of early experience as pullets on the nest height preferences of adult laying hens
Project
Project code: FLI-ITT-08-TK-01-19
Contract period: 01.04.2019
- 29.02.2020
Purpose of research: Applied research
Aim: Do young pullets learn their preferred nest heights? Raising: week 1-10: standard litter floor with perches that equals subsequent nest heights 1+3, but without nests (one big groups of 72 hens; 36 LSL, 36 LB) week 11-20: rearing in 4 treatment groups (each group is housed in a 2*2m compartment with 14 pullets in total, of 7 LSL and 7LB) Group 1: has nests at height 1 (near floor, see Krause & Schrader, 2018; level 3 closed) Group 2: has nests at height 3 ( see Krause & Schrader, 2018; level 1 closed) Group 3: has nests at height 1 and 3 (see Krause & Schrader, 2018) Group 4: no nests open (level 1 and 3 closed; see Krause & Schrader, 2018) Always single nests are used! From week 24 on (thus layer stage): Hens of the 4 groups get mixed up and are housed in two of the previous compartments (i.e. 2 compartments of 2*2m (-Nest) with 28 hens in). In these groups hens have nests at the levels 1 AND 3! In the other two compartment tests areas are installed as in Krause & Schrader 2018 to test individually nest height preferences of hens. Always a LSL and LB will be tested as a dyad.
Section overview
Subjects
- Special animal species
- Farm animal behaviour
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
FLI - Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry (FLI - ITT)