Daytime behavioural patterns of slow-growing chickens in deep-litter pens with perches

Abstract

1. Behavioural patterns of 4 slow-growing local breeds of chickens in Taiwan and China, Taiwan Country chickens, Beijing Fatty chickens, pure Silkies, and upgraded commercial Silkies, were studied from 5 to 16 weeks of age as a reference of management for commercial production.

2. Fifteen males and 15 females of the same breed were housed in a pen. Every breed had 6 pens and 24 pens were studied.

3. Taiwan Country chickens displayed more aggressive, sexual and feather pecking behaviours, had less resting time, the fastest feeding rate and used perches more often. The fast-growing and heavy commercial Silkies had more feeding activity and less preening activity. They were also similar to the crested and docile Beijing Fatty chickens and had less stand/walking and more resting time. The pure Silky bantams showed much more foraging activity than the other breeds.

4. When males started to display more aggression and sexual behaviour, after 8–12 weeks of age, resting time for all birds started to decline and stand/walking increased.

5. These results could imply that different local breeds need different housing systems for the bird's welfare.