Parents and Early Life Environment Affect Behavioral Development of Laying Hen Chickens

摘要: Severe feather pecking (SFP) in commercial laying hens is a maladaptive behavior which associated with anxiety traits. Many experimental studies have shown that stress the parents can affect offspring, but until now these effects been neglected addressing problem of SFP commercially kept hens. We therefore studied whether parental stock (PS) affected development and their offspring. used flocks from brown white genetic hybrid because background anxiety. As also be influenced by housing conditions on rearing farm, we included system litter availability analysis. Forty-seven flocks, originating ten PS were followed. Behavioral physiological parameters related to at 40 weeks age one, five, fifteen age. found had an effect one week five In hybrid, not high levels maternal corticosterone, damage whole-blood serotonin showed positive relations offsprings’ Disruption limitation supply early farms increased SFP, fearfulness. These most prominent hybrid. It appeared are more environmental conditions, while strongly effects. results important for designing measures prevent may require different approach flocks.