Operant learning is disrupted when opioid reward pathways are blocked in the laying hen

Abstract

There is limited research into mesolimbic and dopamine function specific to birds, indeed little is known about how chickens experience rewards and how reward might affect learning in chickens. A more thorough understanding of how laying hens experience reward in their environment can give insight into impact of meeting individual preferences that optimise health and wellbeing and which hold implications for welfare improvements.