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Early T-maze behavior and broiler growth
R H Marin1, D G Satterlee, S A Castille
1Applied Animal Biotechnology Laboratories, Department of Animal Sciences, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA. rmarin@agctr.lsu.edu
Poultry Science
|May 24, 2003
Summary
High-performance broiler chicks, identified by quick exit from the start box (LEB) or reaching the mirror (LRM) in a T-maze, show significantly greater body weight gain. These measures predict growth better than latency to exit the maze (LEX).
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Avian Physiology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Previous studies suggested a link between T-maze latency to exit (LEX) and broiler growth performance.
- The T-maze utilizes a mirror to encourage chick movement, with subsequent visual cues from other birds potentially increasing motivation.
- Hesitation at the mirror may confound previous latency to exit (LEX) measurements, necessitating re-evaluation with alternative metrics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the relationship between T-maze performance and broiler growth.
- To evaluate additional T-maze measures, specifically latency to exit start box (LEB) and latency to reach mirror (LRM), as predictors of growth.
- To compare the predictive value of LEB and LRM against LEX for broiler body weight.
Main Methods:
- Three-day-old broiler chicks were assessed in a T-maze using latency to exit start box (LEB), latency to reach mirror (LRM), and latency to exit maze (LEX).
- Chicks were categorized as high-performance (HP, top 25%) or low-performance (LP, bottom 25%) based on each T-maze measure, within sex.
- Body weights of HP and LP chicks were compared at 4, 42, and 56 days of age.
Main Results:
- No significant body weight differences were observed between HP and LP chicks at 4 days of age, irrespective of the T-maze measure used.
- Chicks classified as HP based on LEB or LRM were significantly heavier at 42 and 56 days of age compared to their LP counterparts (P < 0.02).
- No significant body weight differences were detected between HP and LP chicks at later ages when categorized by LEX.
Conclusions:
- Broiler chicks exhibiting shorter latencies to exit the start box (LEB) and reach the mirror (LRM) demonstrate superior growth performance.
- LEB and LRM are more reliable indicators of future growth in broilers than the previously used LEX measure.
- Early T-maze behavioral assessments, specifically LEB and LRM, can identify broiler candidates with enhanced growth potential.