Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Improving animal well-being through genetic selection

W M Muir1, J V Craig

  • 1Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA. bmuir@hub.ansc.purdue.edu

Poultry Science
|January 1, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Review of health economic models exploring and evaluating treatment and management of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

The Journal of hospital infection·2020
Same author

Response to commentary on "Examples of overlooking common sense solutions: the domestication gene and selection against mortality".

Frontiers in genetics·2014
Same author

Systematic differences in the response of genetic variation to pedigree and genome-based selection methods.

Heredity·2014
Same author

An approximate method for optimum independent culling level selection for n stages of selection with explicit solutions.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2013
Same author

Selection index updating.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2013
Same author

Genome-wide association mapping including phenotypes from relatives without genotypes.

Genetics research·2012
Same journal

Simultaneous supplementation of encapsulated amino acids and capped dietary starch levels improved growth performance of broiler chickens fed by low-protein diet.

Poultry science·2026
Same journal

Characterization and pathogenicity of a novel triple-reassortant H6N6 avian influenza virus associated with reproductive failure in breeding ducks.

Poultry science·2026
Same journal

Comment on "Bioavailability and Growth Performance of Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Glycinate, Zinc Amino Acid Hydrate, and Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analog in Male Broilers".

Poultry science·2026
Same journal

Development of a rapid recombinase polymerase amplification assay for avian polyomaviruses.

Poultry science·2026
Same journal

A novel method to quantify viable Enterococcus faecium during feed manufacturing.

Poultry science·2026
Same journal

Weighted single-step GWAS identified candidate genes associated with semen traits in Rhode Island Red chickens.

Poultry science·2026
See all related articles

Genetic selection improved laying hen welfare in cages. A new strain showed reduced feather pecking and cannibalism without impacting productivity, eliminating the need for beak trimming.

Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Genetics
  • Animal Welfare

Background:

  • Conventional cage systems for laying hens can present welfare challenges.
  • Feather pecking and cannibalism are significant behavioral issues in commercial poultry production.
  • Beak trimming is a common practice to mitigate these issues, but it is invasive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of genetic selection for adapting laying hens to cage environments.
  • To develop a strain of laying hens with improved welfare indicators in cages.
  • To assess if genetic selection can reduce feather pecking and cannibalism without compromising productivity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a kin selection method for genetic selection.
  • Independently selected for two traits: rate of lay and longevity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Compared an experimental strain with a control strain under cage conditions.

    • Main Results:

    • The genetically selected strain exhibited significantly reduced feather pecking and cannibalism compared to the control strain.
    • Productivity (rate of lay) was maintained in the experimental strain.
    • The experimental strain demonstrated a higher level of welfare in cages, obviating the need for beak trimming.

    Conclusions:

    • Genetic selection is a viable strategy for enhancing laying hen welfare in cage systems.
    • It is possible to improve behavioral welfare traits (feather pecking, cannibalism) through selective breeding.
    • This approach offers a non-invasive method to improve poultry welfare and productivity simultaneously.