The effects of varying stocking densities on Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) reared in a closed-barn system. I. On-farm behavioral profile and fearfulness

IF 2 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE Applied Animal Behaviour Science Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106530

Kadir Erensoy

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Abstract

In this study, the potential effects of different stocking densities (low-SD: 6.6 birds/m², medium-SD: 9.3 birds/m², high-SD: 12 birds/m²) on the behavioral profile and fear status of Guinea fowls reared in a closed-barn system were investigated. A total of 252-day-old mixed-sex chicks were randomly assigned to three different SD groups, each consisting of three replicates. Weekly behaviors (aggregation, foraging, running, feather pecking, feeding and/or drinking, resting and/or standing, wing flapping and/or feather shaking and preening) of Guinea fowls from 1 to 13 weeks of age were recorded at pen level. Six birds from each pen were subjected to fear status assessments via tonic immobility (TI) at 25 and 90 days, and novel object (NOT) and stationary person (SPT) tests at 90 days. Active behavior (foraging, running, feeding and drinking) and comfort behavior (wing flapping, feather shaking and preening) were higher in low-SD pens, while feather pecking was higher in high-SD pens, and the SD x age interaction was significant for these behaviors (P < 0.05). Aggregation did not differ among SD treatments, while resting and standing behavior was higher in high-SD birds. The TI duration at 90 d was highest in high-SD birds (P < 0.05), whereas responses to SPT and NOT were similar among the varying SD groups. The TI duration at 90 d was significantly correlated with foraging (r = -0.65), feather pecking (r = -0.76), feeding and drinking (r = -0.77), wing flapping and feather shaking (r = -0.91) and preening (r = -0.81) behaviors (P < 0.05). The profile of active and comfort behaviors on the farm and fear status improved in response to low SD (6.6 birds/m²). Consequently, reducing the SD in Guinea fowls reared in closed-barn systems would lead to better welfare standards through the life of the birds by improving the natural behavioral repertoire and reducing fearfulness.

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不同放养密度对封闭式鸡舍饲养的几内亚鸡（Numida meleagris）的影响1 .农场行为特征和恐惧

本研究研究了不同饲养密度（低sd: 6.6只/m2，中sd: 9.3只/m2，高sd: 12只/m2）对封闭式鸡舍饲养的几内亚鸡行为特征和恐惧状态的潜在影响。试验选用252日龄混合性雏鸡，随机分为3个不同的SD组，每组3个重复。记录1 ~ 13周龄几内亚鸡的每周行为（聚集、觅食、奔跑、啄羽毛、进食和/或饮水、休息和/或站立、拍打翅膀和/或抖动羽毛和整理毛发）。每个围栏中的6只鸟在25天和90天通过强直性静止（TI）进行恐惧状态评估，并在90天进行新物体（NOT）和静止人（SPT）测试。主动行为（觅食、奔跑、摄食和饮水）和舒适行为（拍打翅膀、抖羽毛和梳理毛发）在低SD栏较高，而啄羽毛行为在高SD栏较高，且SD与年龄的交互作用显著（P <； 0.05）。不同SD处理之间的聚集性没有差异，而高SD鸟类的休息和站立行为更高。在90 d时，高SD鸟类的TI持续时间最长（P <； 0.05），而不同SD组对SPT和NOT的反应相似。TI持续时间在90 d与觅食显著相关(r = -0.65),羽毛啄(r = -0.76),喂养,喝(r = -0.77),翅膀拍打和羽毛摇晃(r = -0.91)和自满(-0.81 r = )行为(P & lt; 0.05)。低SD（6.6只/m2）改善了养殖场的主动舒适行为和恐惧状态。因此，减少在封闭畜舍系统中饲养的几内亚鸡的SD将通过改善鸟类的自然行为技能和减少恐惧，从而提高鸟类的生活福利标准。

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来源期刊

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 农林科学-行为科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

21.70%

发文量

191

审稿时长

18.1 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. Topics covered include: -Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare -Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems -Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation -Methodological studies within relevant fields The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects: -Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals -Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display -Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage -Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances -Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements