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Imprint
Effect of light on the prevalence of feather pecking and cannibalism in non-beaktrimmed turkeys
Project
Project code: ML Referat 204.1 FLI-ITT-08-Ce-0041
Contract period: 01.03.2014
- 31.08.2015
Budget: 177,149 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
To improve the welfare in farm animals the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Consumer protection and Regional Development, developed a work-program, in which beak trimming of turkeys shall be abandoned from 2018. Objectives of this study is to gain a better understanding of the causal factors for the development of injurious pecking in turkeys and to found management tools that are able to prohibit or at least reduce injurious pecking. Knowledge about possible triggers for this abnormal behavior is needed. Otherwise the animal protection goal of abandonment of beak trimming cannot be attained.
So far it is not known which role lighting quality has on the prevalence of injurious pecking in turkeys. Therefore this project was planned, to answer the following questions: 1) Is there an effect of the lighting quality (artificial light with UVA (natural light spectrum) versus artificial light without UVA) on the prevalence of injurious pecking male turkeys? 2) Do male turkeys prefer different brightly illuminated areas to perform diverent behavior traits? 3) Can differently illuminated pen areas be used as possibility for structuring (minimal illumination level = 20 lux)?
The study should give evidence to the effects of a natural light spectrum on the turkey performance, behavior and health in comparison to a conventional used light spectrum. Furthermore, to evaluate the usability of lighting as a structuring tool and its effects on turkey behavior and the prevalence of injurious pecking.
Section overview
Subjects
- Farm animal behaviour
Funding programme
Excutive institution
FLI - Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry (FLI - ITT)
