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Imprint
Effects of selection for high and low locomotor activity in the domestic fowl
Project
Project code: FLI-ITT-08-JK-01-14
Contract period: 01.01.2014
- 30.11.2019
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: farm animal ethology
General locomotor activity (GLA) in poultry has attracted attention for a range of reasons. Higher levels of this behavior will on the one hand increase energy expenditure and feed consumption because productivity traits might conflict with behavioral traits. On the other hand a range of positive affects might be expected, such as increased bone strength reduced gait problems and increased litter quality, with moor loose and dry litter, thereby reducing foot pad dermatitis and hock burn. It has been suggested that feather pecking in laying hens might be genetically linked to their activity level (Kjaer, 2009). If feather pecking and activity are genetically correlated, selection for increased activity should lead to higher levels of feather pecking. Lines genetically selected on locomotor activity might be useful for investigating physiological and genetic background for activity level variations. Hitherto such selection was done in experimental test cages but here, for the first time, selection was performed on undisturbed locomotor behaviour in the home pen. Two selection lines are developed from a New Hampshire control line. They will be further selected on low (LA) respectively high (HA) levels of activity. In each generation and line, 10 sires and 20 dams produced an average of 200 offspring for selection.
General locomotor activity (GLA) in poultry has attracted attention, as it negatively influences production costs (energy expenditure and feed consumption) and welfare parameters (bone strength, litter quality, feather pecking and cannibalism). Laying hen lines diverging in the average level of spontaneous locomotor activity in the home pen were developed by genetic selection using the founder New Hampshire line. Activity was recorded using RFID technology at around five weeks of age during four to five days in the home pen. After initial phenotyping, the least active birds were selected for the low activity line and the most active for the high activity line, with no gene transfer between lines. In each of six generations, approximately ten sires were mated to twenty dams producing 158 to 334 offspring per line per generation. The response to selection was rapid and of a considerable magnitude. In sixth generation, the level of GLA was approximately halved in the low and doubled in the high line compared to the control (7.2, 14.9 and 28.7 recordings/h). Estimated heritability of locomotor activity in the low and high line was 0.38 and 0.33, respectively. Males, in general, were more active than females. High line birds were significantly heavier than low line birds. In fourth, fifth, and sixth generation, low as well as high line birds were lighter than control line birds. This selection experiment demonstrates variation in heritability for GLA and, as a result, genetically diverged lines have been developed.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal breeding
- Animal health
- Special animal species
- Farm animal behaviour
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
FLI - Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry (FLI - ITT)
