PSIX-5 Behavioral Repertoire of Commercial Layers Under Free Range, Semi-Intensive and Intensive Rearing Systems. (7th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahmud, A; Husnain, A; Mehmood, S; Javed, K; Khan, M; Ahmad, S
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 96(2018)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2018-12-07
• Subjects: behavior -- layer strain -- rearing system; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the behavioral repertoire of two commercial layer strains under free range (FR), semi intensive (SI) and intensive (I) rearing system. In total, 150 pullets (18 wk old) comprising two strains (Hy-line and Bovans), 75 from each, were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups in a 2 (strain) × 3 (rearing system) factorial arrangement under a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each treatment group was replicated 5 times with 5 birds in each. Wing flapping (WF), walking (W), jumping (J) and aggressiveness (A) parameters were evaluated. The results indicated increased wing flapping, walking and jumping behaviors in free range and more aggressive behaviors in intensive rearing system. Interaction of strains and rearing systems also showed variations ( P ≤ 0.05) in behavior repertoire. In conclusion, free range rearing could be introduced as substitute for the currently used systems to ameliorate positive behavior and minimize stress on layers.