Behaviour of fast- and slow growing broilers to 12 weeks of age and the physical consequences

摘要: Abstract Behaviour of broilers up to 6 weeks age has been studied extensively, but little is known what happens after weeks. Insight in the behavioural abilities may also yield insight period before as disbalance between motivation and physical more clearly elucidated with increasing weight. The purpose this experiment was investigate behaviour fast- slow growing 12 consequences prolonged rearing period. Ninety-six 1-day-old female broiler chicks, 48 a fast line were allocated 16 floor pens (1.5 m2 per pen): eight six birds line. Each pen contained perches covered wood shavings. One day week, each bird observed five times, distributed regularly over day. Behaviour, posture (sitting or standing) position (floor perch) individual recorded. After weeks, killed post-mortem examination done detect abnormalities. Fast- performed same elements, time budgets different. Slow perched, walked scratched than broilers. Fast sitting on floor, eating drinking No differences found for resting, preening, stretching, ground pecking dust bathing. Time spent several behaviours changed during age. Although abnormalities both lines, no correlation behaviour. Physical seemed not be so severe have hampered activity. experimental conditions, such only females, good quality bedding, low stocking density, crucial prevent serious keep these This study showed that are motivated perform all kinds an environment where possible age, ability performing some most probably due their