Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Haidong Wei, Yanqing Chen, Haoyang Nian, Jing Wang, Yilin Liu, Jianxing Wang, Kaiqi Yang, Qian Zhao, Runxiang Zhang, Jun Bao
Summary: The study revealed a potential association between keel bone damage in laying hens and abnormal bone metabolism, with fluctuations in serum bone turnover markers being a key factor contributing to keel bone damage.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lisa Jung, Abozar Nasirahmadi, Jan Schulte-Landwehr, Ute Knierim
Summary: Keel bone damage (KBD) is a prevalent issue in commercial laying hen flocks, affecting a wide range of hens. An automatic assessment system at the slaughter line showed high accuracy and correlation with visually determined prevalences by a trained human assessor. This system provides opportunities for better monitoring and combating this severe animal welfare problem in the long-term.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Arda Soezcue, Aydin Ipek, Zueleyha Oguz, Stefan Gunnarsson, Anja B. Riber
Summary: The comparison of two Turkish laying hen genotypes, Atak-S (brown) and Atabey (white), reared in a free-range system showed that Atak-S hens are more prone to feather pecking and keel bone damage, while Atabey hens are more likely to engage in preening, walking-standing, and resting behaviors, with fewer foot lesions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. L. Edgar, Y. Omi, F. Booth, N. Mackie, G. Richards, J. Tarlton
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether hens that had previously sustained keel bone fractures showed higher levels of fear and anxiety, as well as the impact on production, behavior, and resource use. The study found no significant differences between hens with previous fractures and intact hens in fear and anxiety tests, behavior, and resource use. Fracture hens were lighter and laid eggs with less eggshell membrane, but there were no differences in other production measures.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Julia Malchow, Beryl K. Eusemann, Stefanie Petow, Lars Schrader
Summary: This study compared dual-purpose chickens with conventional laying chickens in terms of performance, animal welfare, and perching behavior. Dual-purpose chickens performed better in some aspects, but also had issues such as keel bone damage.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lisa Jung, Christina Rufener, Stefanie Petow
Summary: This study aimed to develop a scoring system for assessing keel bone deviations, evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of this system, and investigate the correlation between fractures and deviations of the keel. The results showed that a tagged visual analog scale could be a reliable instrument for scoring keel bone deviations, and supported the assumption that most highly deviated keels also suffer from fractures.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Renee Garant, Bret W. Tobalske, Neila Ben Sassi, Nienke van Staaveren, Tina Widowski, Donald R. Powers, Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
Summary: Feather loss in domestic chickens can lead to muscle weakness and keel bone fractures. This study found that white-feathered birds were more sensitive to feather loss, while muscle thickness was not associated with keel bone fractures in either white- or brown-feathered birds.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. Wei, Y. Bi, Y. Li, H. Zhang, J. Li, R. Zhang, J. Bao
Summary: The study showed that feeding poultry a low phosphorus diet negatively impacted the quality of keel bones, leading to increased incidence of keel bone damage and shorter keel bone length. Additionally, various indicators in the low phosphorus group exhibited significant changes in expression levels compared to the control group.
BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pall Gretarsson, Kathe Kittelsen, Randi O. Moe, Guro Vasdal, Ingrid Toftaker
Summary: Good health and low mortality are important for animal welfare. This study investigated postmortem lesions and causes of death in non-beak trimmed, end of lay hens. The most common lesions were keel bone fracture (92%), fatty liver (42%), emaciation (23%), and salpingitis (22%). Common causes of death were salpingitis (18%) and fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (13%).
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brianna M. Leon, Bret W. Tobalske, Neila Ben Sassi, Renee Garant, Donald R. Powers, Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
Summary: The study found that clipping feathers had a significant impact on the descent velocity, angle, and horizontal acceleration of hens. Half-clipped hens showed lower descent velocity and angle compared to fully clipped hens, while unclipped hens exhibited the highest horizontal acceleration.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Haidong Wei, Yanju Bi, Yulai Wang, Qian Zhao, Runxiang Zhang, Jianhong Li, Jun Bao
Summary: Keel bone fractures in laying hens can affect the welfare, health, and production performance of the hens. Through a study of 120 Hy-line Brown laying hens, it was found that abnormal bone metabolism is associated with keel bone fractures, highlighting the importance of bone health in laying hens.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Christin Habig, Martina Henning, Ulrich Baulain, Simon Jansen, Armin Manfred Scholz, Steffen Weigend
Summary: The study conducted experiments on laying hens in different environments and species conditions, observed the keel bone damage situation, and identified some related factors, to some extent explaining the reasons for keel bone damage in laying hens.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chan-Ho Kim, Hwan-Ku Kang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of apparent metabolizable energy (AME(n)) and protein levels on laying hens in an aviary system. The results suggest that different dietary energy and protein levels do not significantly affect laying performance and egg quality, but feed intake decreases with an increasing level of AME(n) in diets and ether extract significantly varies as the energy content in the feed increases.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Haidong Wei, Yanru Feng, Susu Ding, Haoyang Nian, Hanlin Yu, Qian Zhao, Jun Bao, Runxiang Zhang
Summary: This study compared the incidence of keel bone damage and its effects on stress and fear in two strains of laying hens. The results showed that keel bone fractures caused stress and fear responses, impairing hen welfare, with differences in behavioral and physiological responses between the strains. Keel bone fractures induced negative emotions, affecting chicken welfare, with Lindian chickens exhibiting more severe stress and fear responses compared to Hy-line Brown hens.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Beryl Katharina Eusemann, Reiner Ulrich, Estefania Sanchez-Rodriguez, Cristina Benavides-Reyes, Nazaret Dominguez-Gasca, Alejandro B. Rodriguez-Navarro, Stefanie Petow
Summary: This study assessed the differences in bone quality among hens of different layer lines, showing that non-egg-laying hens and egg-laying hens have different bone compositions. Additionally, the effect of exogenous oestradiol-17ss on bone parameters varied between the layer lines.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Camille Marie Montalcini, Bernhard Voelkl, Yamenah Gomez, Michael Gantner, Michael J. Toscano
Summary: The research team presents a tracking system that can monitor bird movement in commercial aviaries and classify them into predefined zones. The processed data accurately records the number of transitions and the presence/absence of birds in each zone. However, data processing remains necessary for obtaining reliable data. Future work involves improving the system's performance with automatic calibration and envisioning finer movements.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yamenah Gomez, John Berezowski, Yandy Abreu Jorge, Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine Voegeli, Ariane Stratmann, Michael Jeffrey Toscano, Bernhard Voelkl
Summary: This study explores the relationship between social associations and individual activity patterns in domestic hens. The research found that hens exhibit individual differences in their daily movement patterns while maintaining stable social relationships. Social associations are correlated with movement patterns and this correlation strengthens over time, indicating that animals align their activity patterns with those of their social affiliates.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Candelotto, Klara J. Grethen, Camille M. Montalcini, Michael J. Toscano, Yamenah Gomez
Summary: The study aims to validate a sensor-based tracking system for broiler breeders and laying hens, with a focus on data reliability and cleaning methods. The results show that the cleaning methods are suitable for the aviary and raised housing systems, but not for the floor system. Cleaning the data improves the performance of total transitions and ensures high reliability of locations.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carlos Manuel Herrera-Castillo, Madeleine Geiger, Daniel Nunez-Leon, Hiroshi Nagashima, Sabine Gebhardt-Henrich, Michael Toscano, Marcelo R. Sanchez-Villagra
Summary: This study investigated the effects of domestication and breed formation on limb proportions and sternum characteristics in chicken, mallard ducks, and Muscovy ducks. The results showed that domestication had no significant impact on limb proportions in chicken and Muscovy duck, but did in mallard ducks. Flight capacity loss in mallard ducks may be related to the difference in limb proportions. The study also revealed breed-dependent differences in chicken traits. Despite some similar morphological changes identified, the study highlights the lack of universal patterns in domestication and breed formation.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jakob Winter, Ariane Stratmann, Michael J. Toscano, Jacqueline M. Cardwell, Christine J. Nicol
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms of piling behavior in British loose-housed layer flocks. Observation of 27 layer flocks revealed that piling is often preceded by the attraction of hens to other behaviors and high animal densities. Piling events occur more frequently at certain times of day and are correlated with pile size, duration, and flock size.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
A. Stratmann, D. Guggisberg, C. Benavides-Reyes, J. Siegford, M. J. Toscano
Summary: This study investigated the impact of providing ramps during the rearing period on cognitive and bone development in laying hens. The results showed that the provision of ramps influenced the bird's distribution within the aviary and their vertical movement between tiers, but had unexpected effects on bone strength.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Jan Vollert, Malcolm Macleod, Ulrich Dirnagl, Martien J. Kas, Martin C. Michel, Heidrun Potschka, Gernot Riedel, Kimberley E. Wever, Hanno Wuerbel, Thomas Steckler, Andrew S. C. Rice
Summary: The EQIPD framework aims to unify current recommendations for rigor in animal experiments based on evidence, and was tested for feasibility in multicenter experiments.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Frances M. Colles, Daniela Karasova, Magdalena Crhanova, Stephen G. Preston, Adrian L. Smith, Marian S. Dawkins, Ivan Rychlik, Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich
Summary: This study used parallel sequencing to detect Campylobacter DNA in contaminated chicken meat. It suggests that conventional testing methods may not accurately detect Campylobacter and identifies the proliferation of a single Campylobacter variant in broiler flocks.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine Mueller, Lisa Zanini, Michael J. Toscano
Summary: Recent outbreaks of toe pecking (TP) have been observed in laying hen flocks in Swiss farms, resulting in increased mortality. However, there is limited scientific research on TP compared to feather pecking. This study aimed to investigate the association between TP and housing and management factors through an online survey of Swiss egg producers. The survey revealed that TP mainly affected white flocks, and several factors related to management and housing were associated with TP, including metal slats, direct sunlight, high frequency light sources, and previous problems with E.coli. Dimming the lights was found to be the most effective intervention to reduce TP. Overall, TP appeared to be multifactorial and predominantly affected white hybrids.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alex Johny, Dominik Guggisberg, Michael Jeffery Toscano, Ariane Stratmann
Summary: Providing laying hen chicks with ramps during the rearing phase increases their use of elevated surfaces. Artificial cues that utilize the behavioral predispositions of chicks can enhance ramp use and benefit the birds' spatial cognition and skeletal strength.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Gerpe, M. J. Toscano
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two interventions on reducing fractures and stress-related responses during the depopulation process. The cart treatment involved immediately crating hens to minimize handling time and stress, while the blue light treatment aimed to improve visibility and handling. However, neither treatment effectively reduced fractures or stress-related responses compared to the control, possibly due to unfamiliarity, unsuitable light conditions, and small sample size. Despite this, the treatments may still improve working conditions without negative effects on hen welfare, and further research should focus on combining the interventions and increasing familiarity with the cart system.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camille M. Montalcini, Michael J. Toscano, Sabine G. Gebhardt-Henrich, Matthew B. Petelle
Summary: Measuring intra- and inter-individual variation in movement provides important insights into animal welfare and ecology. This study quantified the range of differences in movements among commercial laying hens and their association with welfare indicators. Results showed consistent inter-individual differences in movement averages, as well as individual variation in predictability and temporal plasticity. Hens that were more predictable in their daily movements had more severe keel bone fractures, highlighting the importance of inter-individual difference in intra-individual variation for poultry welfare.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camille M. M. Montalcini, Matthew B. B. Petelle, Michael J. J. Toscano
Summary: Past research has shown that animal personalities are important for farm animals' productivity and welfare. However, current assessments of personality traits are often short-term and may not fully capture important behaviors in commercial settings throughout the production period. This study aimed to evaluate consistent behavioral differences in commercial laying hens over an eight-month period. The study found that certain behaviors were repeatable and explained a significant amount of variation between individuals. These long-term consistencies suggest that these behaviors could be used as personality traits in commercial hens and could potentially inform breeding efforts for more resilient farm animals.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Klara J. Grethen, Yamenah Gomez, Michael J. Toscano
Summary: Chicken dominance hierarchies are established before maturation and maintained by consistent submissive responses of subordinate individuals. Our observations of 418 laying hens revealed unexpected rank uncertainty and instability. Furthermore, winning success during the young period did not predict high rank during the mature period, indicating rank changes between observation periods.
BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES
(2023)