Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test

The aim of this study was to determine the selection of bedding material by broiler chickens during the rearing period and whether the choice was determinant to their performing a specific behavior. To achieve this objective, a choice test was designed. A choice pen was constructed where birds could...

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Autores principales: Villagrá, Arantxa, Olivas, Irene, Althaus, R. L., Gómez, Ernesto A., Lainez, Manuel, Torres, Antonio G.
Formato: Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2017
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4730
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author Villagrá, Arantxa
Olivas, Irene
Althaus, R. L.
Gómez, Ernesto A.
Lainez, Manuel
Torres, Antonio G.
author_browse Althaus, R. L.
Gómez, Ernesto A.
Lainez, Manuel
Olivas, Irene
Torres, Antonio G.
Villagrá, Arantxa
author_facet Villagrá, Arantxa
Olivas, Irene
Althaus, R. L.
Gómez, Ernesto A.
Lainez, Manuel
Torres, Antonio G.
author_sort Villagrá, Arantxa
collection ReDivia
description The aim of this study was to determine the selection of bedding material by broiler chickens during the rearing period and whether the choice was determinant to their performing a specific behavior. To achieve this objective, a choice test was designed. A choice pen was constructed where birds could move freely around the four selected materials (straw, wood shavings, rice hulls and sand). Chickens were introduced in this pen in four groups of eight birds, three days a week for one hour per day and group, for four weeks. The location and the activity performed by each broiler were recorded every five minutes. Results showed a preference for sand compared with the other three substrates. However, differences between the behaviors performed in each bedding material were shown mainly for resting (preferably performed on wood shavings and straw), dust bathing (on sand), pecking and scratching (on rice hulls). Other factors, such as the time of day, were also found to have effects on fighting and drinking, and changes in behavioral patterns (resting, preening, eating, standing and pecking) were also detected as broilers grew older.
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spelling ReDivia47302025-04-25T14:44:17Z Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test Villagrá, Arantxa Olivas, Irene Althaus, R. L. Gómez, Ernesto A. Lainez, Manuel Torres, Antonio G. The aim of this study was to determine the selection of bedding material by broiler chickens during the rearing period and whether the choice was determinant to their performing a specific behavior. To achieve this objective, a choice test was designed. A choice pen was constructed where birds could move freely around the four selected materials (straw, wood shavings, rice hulls and sand). Chickens were introduced in this pen in four groups of eight birds, three days a week for one hour per day and group, for four weeks. The location and the activity performed by each broiler were recorded every five minutes. Results showed a preference for sand compared with the other three substrates. However, differences between the behaviors performed in each bedding material were shown mainly for resting (preferably performed on wood shavings and straw), dust bathing (on sand), pecking and scratching (on rice hulls). Other factors, such as the time of day, were also found to have effects on fighting and drinking, and changes in behavioral patterns (resting, preening, eating, standing and pecking) were also detected as broilers grew older. 2017-06-01T10:10:51Z 2017-06-01T10:10:51Z 2014 JAN-MAR 2014 article publishedVersion Villagra, A., Olivas, I., Althaus, R. L., Gomez, E.A., Lainez, M., Torres, A.G. (2014). Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 16(1), 67-75. 1516-635X http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4730 10.1590/S1516-635X2014000100010 en openAccess Impreso
spellingShingle Villagrá, Arantxa
Olivas, Irene
Althaus, R. L.
Gómez, Ernesto A.
Lainez, Manuel
Torres, Antonio G.
Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title_full Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title_fullStr Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title_full_unstemmed Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title_short Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Four Different Substrates: a Choice Test
title_sort behavior of broiler chickens in four different substrates a choice test
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4730
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