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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28973
Title: | Minimal Effects of Rearing Enrichments on Pullet Behaviour and Welfare | Contributor(s): | Campbell, Dana L M (author); Gerber, Priscilla F (author)![]() |
Publication Date: | 2020-02-18 | Open Access: | Yes | DOI: | 10.3390/ani10020314 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28973 | Abstract: | In Australia, free-range pullets are typically reared indoors, which may hinder later adjustment to outdoor access. Rearing enrichments could optimise pullet development. Hy-Line Brown® chicks (n = 1700) were reared indoors across 16 weeks with 3 enrichment treatments: (1) a standard control; (2) novel objects (novelty) provided weekly or (3) perching structures (structural) provided. All pullets were weighed at 5, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. Pullets (n = 87) were tested in a novel arena at 9 weeks and manual restraint (n = 90) at 16 weeks. At 15 weeks, lymphoid organs were extracted and weighed from 90 pullets. Pullets were transferred to the free-range facility at 16 weeks and housed in 9 identical pens within rearing treatments. Hens perching were counted via video recordings across the first week. The structural pullets had the highest relative adrenal weights (p = 0.03) but differences may not have been biologically relevant. Structural hens perched less than the novelty hens in the layer facility (p = 0.02). There were no other consistent rearing treatment differences. The rearing environments had minimal effects on pullet behaviour and welfare, but data from the adult hens did show some longer-term welfare impacts. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Animals, 10(2), p. 1-13 | Publisher: | MDPI AG | Place of Publication: | Switzerland | ISSN: | 2076-2615 | Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 070299 Animal Production not elsewhere classified | Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 300306 Animal welfare | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 830309 Poultry | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 100411 Poultry | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Environmental and Rural Science |
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openpublished/MinimalGerber2020JournalArticle.pdf | Published version | 965.78 kB | Adobe PDF Download Adobe | View/Open |
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