A note on the physiological and behavioural consequences of cannibalistic toe pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Authors / Editors

Krause, Elvis Tim

Research Areas

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Publication Details

Output type: Journal article

Author list: Krause E., Petow S., Kjaer J.

Publication year: 2011

Volume number: 75

Issue number: 2

Start page: 140

End page: 143

ISSN: 0003-9098

URL: http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:80053072109

Abstract

Feather pecking and cloacal cannibalism are damaging allopecking behaviours well known and studied in the domestic chicken. They often lead to serious injuries or even death of the victims. Toe pecking is a less common phenomenon and much less is known about the potential effects on physiology and behaviour in victims of this type of allopecking. In the present study we found that exposure to toe pecking led to significantly enlarged adrenal glands which indicate increased physiological stress. The behaviour of toe pecked hens was also affected in that these hens stepped off a raised platform more quickly than Control hens, possibly indicating increased fearfulness of raised areas. Our results indicate that when toe pecking occurs in groups of hens, it represents an important welfare issue and more emphasis should be put on finding ways to reduce its occurrence. © Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.

Keywords

Adrenal gland, Cannibalism, Chicken, H/L-ratio, Stress response, Toe pecking

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