Behavioral needs of chickens: Dustbathing
Dustbathing occurs in all commercial chicken housing housing systems, even in caged systems with no substrate. But why do chickens dustbathe?
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Dustbathing occurs in all commercial chicken housing housing systems, even in caged systems with no substrate. But why do chickens dustbathe?
Euthanizing animals can be a psychologically traumatic experience for veterinarians — and mass-depopulation events such as those associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are putting the issue front of mind.
Laying hens exposed to prolonged heat waves experience adverse health effects that lead to health issues and reduced productivity. Many studies show that probiotics improve intestinal integrity due to lactic acid production and the competitive exclusion of pathogens.
With less than 2% of the US population involved in agriculture of any kind, the gap in knowledge and understanding of animal agriculture has widened dramatically, creating an opportunity for myths and misinformation to flourish.
Minimizing bird stress is critical for maintaining good welfare and flock performance, but it’s especially critical when birds are less than 4 weeks old, a Virginia Tech study shows.
Housing systems for laying hens in the United States (and more broadly across the world) are transitioning away from conventional cages to cage-free systems.
Alternative lighting strategies that allow hens additional feeding opportunities during scotophase, or dark periods, can go a long way toward improving egg quality and bird welfare.
When we think of flickering light, our minds conjure images of candles casting fitful shadows or perhaps the occasional power outage dimming our surroundings. Yet, in the realm of lighting technology, this phenomenon goes by a more precise name: temporal light modulation (TLM).
Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in people. Chickens may also experience anxiety, but it is difficult to measure and research has been mainly focused on assessing fear. However, we can get insight into their mental state based on observations of behaviors.
Light and dark cycles within a 24-hour period play a crucial role in maintaining physiological and behavioral rhythms in animals.
By Ken Opengart, DVM, PhD, DACPV
3 Birds Consulting
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Drinker management is a key aspect of poultry welfare, as water is a crucial resource involved in thermal regulation, nutrient absorption, digestion, waste elimination and overall homeostatic balance in birds.
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