Contrafreeloading and foraging-related behavior in hens differing in laying performance and phylogenetic origin

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Poultry Science
• Ethology

Background:

• Domestication has altered foraging strategies in domestic fowl compared to junglefowl, indicating modified energy-saving behaviors.
• Laying hens exhibit diverse foraging behaviors influenced by genetic background and laying performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate foraging strategies and related behaviors in four lines of laying hens with varying phylogenetic origins and laying performances.
• To analyze the relationship between foraging behavior and the level of egg production in different laying hen lines.

Main Methods:

• Compared high and low performing brown and white pure-bred laying hen lines (72 hens per line).
• Utilized a contrafreeloading (CFL) paradigm to assess foraging strategy, where hens choose between freely available food and food requiring effort.
• Monitored hen behavior via video recording and an antenna-transponder system for activity levels in the litter area.

Main Results:

• High-performing laying hens displayed significantly less contrafreeloading (CFL) and foraging-related behavior than their low-performing counterparts.
• All hens demonstrated a preference for the standard commercial diet over a mixture containing wood shavings.
• A clear association was observed between foraging strategy and the level of egg production across all tested lines.

Conclusions:

• Reduced foraging activity and contrafreeloading in high-producing layers suggest energy conservation mechanisms.
• Energy saved through reduced activity may be reallocated to support higher reproductive output (egg production).
• Foraging strategy is linked to egg production efficiency in laying hens, highlighting behavioral adaptations for energy demands.