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Fly the coop! Vertical structures influence the distribution and behaviour of laying hens in an outdoor range
Author(s) -
Rault JL,
Wouw A,
Hemsworth P
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12099
Subject(s) - pecking order , range (aeronautics) , stocking , animal welfare , home range , welfare , distribution (mathematics) , feather pecking , zoology , veterinary medicine , biology , environmental science , ecology , mathematics , habitat , engineering , medicine , economics , mathematical analysis , market economy , aerospace engineering
Background The number of free‐range farms has greatly increased in the A ustralian egg industry, up by 64% over the past 5 years and representing 34% of the retail egg sales last year. Nonetheless, free‐range systems offer particular challenges to farmers. The use of the outdoor range is variable among hens; their distribution is usually not uniform across the range and they tend to stay close to features such as walls or fences, resulting in high stocking density in particular areas, with associated welfare and environmental concerns. Methods Using video recordings, we investigated the effect of erecting a series of vertical structures in the range on the hens' numbers, distribution and behaviour. Results Hens were very attracted to the structures, which altered their distribution and behaviour. Up to 160 hens were seen around each structure, giving a density of 6.4 hens/m 2 . The hens spent 40% of their time pecking at the structures and standing in these areas and less time walking, preening or ground pecking. Conclusion Elucidating which physical features fulfil hens' biological needs could improve their use of outdoor ranges.