WELFARE Quality 3.3.2®: Development of decision support tools to minimize feather pecking and cannibalism
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Project management: Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute; Dipl.-Ing. agr. M.Sc. Staack, Marion
Project participants: Dr. Keppler, Christiane; Günther, Maja; Gruber, Bettina; Niebuhr, Knut; Dipl.-Ing. agr. Zaludik, Katrina
Project description:
Feather pecking and cannibalism still pose a major threat to the welfare of laying hens. For this reason, the influence of different risk factors on the occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism, especially during the probably important rearing period, needs to be investigated. The aim of the project is to develop decision support tools to minimize feather pecking and cannibalism in laying hens from alternative rearing systems. A theoretical model of risk factors for feather pecking and cannibalism was developed on the basis of literature reviews and an expert survey. To test this model, 50 data sets were tested using multivariate statistics. One data set each consists of data collected in one rearing flock and two subsequent laying flocks. The data includes plumage, skin condition and losses of the hens, results from interviews with the animal caretakers and parameters collected in the housing system.
The study was funded as part of the Welfare Quality® project: European Union, 6th Research Framework Program and by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture via the Federal Institute for Nutrition (BLE).
In cooperation with: Gruber, B., Niebuhr, K. and Zaludik, K., University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
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