The phenotypic interrelationships between feather pecking, being feather pecked, feather eating, feather score, fear, body weight, and egg production traits in a F2- cross of White Leghorn lines selected for high and low severe feather pecking

Abstract

It is generally assumed that there is a relationship between feather pecking, fear, feather condition and laying performance criteria in laying hens. This hypothesis was tested in a F2-cross of high (HFP) and low (LFP) feather pecking birds of White Leghorn origin. A total of 967 birds were first observed for the number of bouts of severe feather pecks delivered (FPD) and received (FPR) when kept in groups of random composition. The whole population was split for FPD in HFP and LFP using the threshold of ≥ 2 (HFP) and < 2 (LFP). The birds clearly differed in FPD but there was no significant difference for FPR between HFP and LFP. The subgroups were subjected to a pencil test at 29 weeks of age. At 26 weeks and 39 weeks of age body weight was measured and feather condition scored in different body parts (neck, breast, wings, vent and tail) using a scale from 0–4 (0 = worse, 4 = best). In addition the birds were tested for their feather eating behaviour and their laying performance criteria (hen-day egg production %, egg weight, feed consumption per day and FCR) at 29 weeks of age. In contrast to our expectation HFP birds showed a significant better plumage condition at 39 weeks of age than LFP birds. There were differences in feather scores at both ages for wings and tail. There were no differences between subgroups in the body weight at neither age. There were also no differences in the pencil test. But HFP birds showed a significant higher number of eaten feathers than LFP birds. This is in line with many other studies. But the difference was not as large as reported in previous studies. In contrast to our expectation there were no significant differences between the subgroups in performance, feed intake and FCR although LFP birds showed a significant poorer feather condition than HFP birds at 39 weeks of age. There were, however, negative correlations between feather score, performance, feed consumption and FCR within subgroups.Obviously there is no consistent relationships between feather pecking, fear, feather condition and performance criteria.