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Related Experiment Videos

Individual production differences do not explain cannibalistic behaviour in laying hens.

J Yngvesson1, L J Keeling, R C Newberry

  • 1Swedish Animal Welfare Agency, Skara, Sweden. jenny.yngvesson@djurskyddsmyndigheten.se

British Poultry Science
|October 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Cannibalism in laying hens is not linked to feed efficiency or nutrient deficiencies. Victims of cannibalism showed no increased risk of infection but tended to have reduced longevity.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Behavioral Science
  • Poultry Science

Background:

  • Cannibalism in commercial laying hens is a significant welfare and economic concern.
  • Existing hypotheses suggest links between cannibalism, feed efficiency, nutrient deficiencies, and oviposition-related injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cannibalistic behavior in laying hens and their feed efficiency, production variables, oviposition characteristics, and susceptibility to infection.
  • To test specific hypotheses regarding the causation of cannibalism, including feed efficiency, nutrient deficiencies, and cloacal exposure during oviposition.

Main Methods:

  • Matched trios (cannibal, victim, control) of laying hens were compared from commercial farms experiencing cannibalism outbreaks.
  • Data collected included feed efficiency, egg production, feed consumption, video analysis of oviposition, oviduct swabs for bacterial colonization, and mortality over 23 months.

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Main Results:

  • No significant differences were found in feed efficiency, egg production, or feed consumption between cannibals, victims, and controls.
  • Victims did not exhibit longer oviposition durations, increased cloacal prolapse, or greater oviduct bacterial colonization compared to controls.
  • Victims of cannibalism showed a tendency towards reduced longevity compared to matched cannibals and controls.

Conclusions:

  • The study found no evidence to support hypotheses linking cannibalism in laying hens to feed efficiency, nutrient deficiencies, or increased susceptibility to infection via oviposition-related injuries.
  • While victims did not show immediate physiological disadvantages, they tended to have reduced longevity post-attack, suggesting potential long-term health impacts.