Time‐budgeting in meat chickens grown commercially
1988; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 29; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/00071668808417083
ISSN1466-1799
AutoresLinda B. Murphy, A. P. Preston,
Tópico(s)Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
ResumoAbstract 1. Observations were made for 1‐h periods on 19 birds aged from 27 to 50 d in a commercial meat chicken flock. Data were collected on the frequency, the total proportion of time spent in different behaviour patterns, and sequencing of behaviour. 2. Sixty‐four percent of time was spent lying. Individuals engaged in up to 41 separate lying bouts, which suggests that the birds were restless rather than resting. 3. Interrupted rest was sometimes caused by birds standing on each other; on other occasion it may have served to increase heat loss. 4. The frequency and duration of eating and drinking amongst individuals was variable. Neither dust‐bathing nor agonistic behaviour were observed and their absence may reflect the lack of importance of these behaviour patterns in meat chickens.
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