Differences in Pre-Laying Behavior between Floor-Laying and Nest-Laying Pekin Ducks

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Avian Science
• Livestock Management

Background:

• Floor-laying in commercial Pekin ducks is poorly understood.
• Behavioral differences between floor-laying and nest-laying ducks require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if behavioral differences exist between floor-laying and nest-laying Pekin ducks.
• To identify factors contributing to floor-laying behavior.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of video footage from a commercial breeding flock.
• Quantified behaviors in the hour prior to oviposition site selection.
• Compared nest box interactions, behaviors inside/outside boxes, and aggression.

Main Results:

• Some floor-laying ducks (FL-Out) did not use nest boxes, unlike nest-laying (NL) or some floor-laying (FL-In) ducks.
• FL-Out ducks exhibited less sitting, walking, and aggression compared to FL-In and NL groups.
• Nest box competition (multiple birds) correlated strongly with aggressive interactions (R=0.81).

Conclusions:

• Nest box competition appears to be a significant factor in floor-laying behavior.
• FL-Out ducks may avoid nest boxes to mitigate aggressive encounters.
• Strategies to reduce nest box competition and investigate nest design are recommended to mitigate floor-laying.