Development of dustbathing in Bobwhite quail. II. Effects of early pecking experiences

The development of dustbathing was facilitated among groups of Bobwhite chicks allowed to peck into dust as compared to chicks allowed to peck at dust or those inexperienced with dust. A 2nd study found a consistent, but nonsignificant, facilitation among chicks pecking into dust on Days 1-3 as compared to Days 4-6. In Study 3, groups of chicks pecked into dust on Days 2,4, or 6. Dustbathing development was facilitated among chicks pecking on Day 2, and inhibited among chicks pecking on Day 4, as compared to those pecking on Day 6. The only difference, however, between each of these groups and chicks with no pecking experience in dust (Study 1) was an inhibition of dustbathing among chicks pecking on Day 4.