Sodium deprivation, feather pecking and activity in laying hens

Synopsis

When a diet containing only 0.038% sodium was fed to two strains of laying hens for four weeks they showed no increase in feather pecking, toe pecking, pecking activity or general activity, although egg production almost completely ceased. This finding is unexpected in view of recent reports to the contrary under field conditions. It is postulated that very low sodium intakes may be less deleterious than intermediate intakes which permit some laying, and therefore sodium loss, to continue. The absence of adverse behavioural effects emphasises the potential value of sodium deprivation as a means of halting egg production.