Environmental enrichment can play a positive role in cage-free systems by allowing hens to diversify their behavioural repertoire and reducing aggression among animals. Our study evaluated the effect of the enrichment with hay bales in an aviary system on the behaviour of 1,800 laying hens (Hyline Brown and Lhomann White) from 50 to 53 weeks of age. Behaviours, expressed as the percentage of hens observed on the floor, were scored through a 10-sec scan every 30 min per hour (05:30-20:30) and observations were grouped per day-time interval, i.e. early, midday, afternoon, and evening. Data were submitted to ANOVA with genotype, enrichment, and time interval (not discussed here) as main effects, and pen as a random effect. As for the enrichment, the presence of hay bales increased the number of hens on the floor and the rate of those interacting with the enrichment at the expenses of hens performing dustbathing, sitting, or walking. As for the genotype, a higher number of brown hens was recorded on the floor, with a higher rate of them sitting-inactive and preening compared to white hens which performed more dustbathing, interactions with hay bales, ground-pecking, and piling (P<0.01). In conclusion, hay bales attracted hens and reduced the expression of some comfort behaviours; white hens were more active and showed more risky behaviours such as piling compared to brown hens. Acknowledgements: This study was carried out within Agritech National Research Center and was funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (PNRR – Missione 4 Componente 2, Investimento 1.4 – D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022), and by Unimpresa, University of Padova (call 2019).
Behaviour of laying hens of two genotypes in a cage-free system enriched with hay bales
Ciarelli C.;Bordignon F.;Pillan G.;Xiccato G.;Trocino A.
2024
Abstract
Environmental enrichment can play a positive role in cage-free systems by allowing hens to diversify their behavioural repertoire and reducing aggression among animals. Our study evaluated the effect of the enrichment with hay bales in an aviary system on the behaviour of 1,800 laying hens (Hyline Brown and Lhomann White) from 50 to 53 weeks of age. Behaviours, expressed as the percentage of hens observed on the floor, were scored through a 10-sec scan every 30 min per hour (05:30-20:30) and observations were grouped per day-time interval, i.e. early, midday, afternoon, and evening. Data were submitted to ANOVA with genotype, enrichment, and time interval (not discussed here) as main effects, and pen as a random effect. As for the enrichment, the presence of hay bales increased the number of hens on the floor and the rate of those interacting with the enrichment at the expenses of hens performing dustbathing, sitting, or walking. As for the genotype, a higher number of brown hens was recorded on the floor, with a higher rate of them sitting-inactive and preening compared to white hens which performed more dustbathing, interactions with hay bales, ground-pecking, and piling (P<0.01). In conclusion, hay bales attracted hens and reduced the expression of some comfort behaviours; white hens were more active and showed more risky behaviours such as piling compared to brown hens. Acknowledgements: This study was carried out within Agritech National Research Center and was funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (PNRR – Missione 4 Componente 2, Investimento 1.4 – D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022), and by Unimpresa, University of Padova (call 2019).
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