Rearing factors that influence the propensity for injurious feather pecking in laying hens

Abstract

Feather pecking during rearing is difficult to identify and therefore often underestimated. However, as rearing conditions will affect the behaviour of adult hens, it is important or prevent feather pecking during rearing. This paper reviews the knowledge in the scientific literature on the effect of rearing conditions on injurious pecking. Factors such as stocking density and feeding strategies during rearing are known to influence feather pecking. Minimising the differences between the rearing and laying environment via a seamless transition is likely to make a flock less prone to injurious feather pecking. This can be achieved by providing perches and substrate for foraging and dust bathing during rearing, by providing facilities (e.g. litter trays) on perforated platforms during early lay and by focussing on early access to the range.

Keywords::

• rearing
• feather pecking
• welfare
• laying hens