Individual Ranging Behaviour Patterns in Commercial Free-Range Layers as Observed through RFID Tracking.
Individual Ranging Behaviour Patterns in Commercial Free-Range Layers as Observed through RFID Tracking.
复制标题
DOI：
10.3390/ani7030021
复制
发表时间：
2017-03-09
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Rault JL
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Larsen H;Cronin GM;Gebhardt-Henrich SG;Smith CL;Hemsworth PH;Rault JL
对商业农场的自由放养蛋鸡如何利用提供的户外空间的理解是有限的。为了优化牧场的使用，重要的是要了解母鸡在其放牧行为上是否存在差异，无论是在个体之间还是个体内部。在我们的研究中，我们使用个体跟踪技术来评估两个商业自由放养鸡群中的母鸡如何使用该范围以及它们在使用该范围时是否存在差异。我们评估了三个区域的使用情况，这些区域与棚的距离逐渐增加：阳台[0-2.4 m]、近距离[2.4-11.4 m]和远距离[>11.4 m]。大多数母鸡每天都进入该范围（A群68.6%，B群82.2%），并且大多数母鸡每天都进入所有三个区域（A群73.7%，B群84.5%）。母鸡有一半的时间在外面靠近棚子的阳台上度过。我们发现，鸡群中的一些母鸡每天的活动范围一致（相似的持续时间和频率），而其他母鸡的活动范围不一致。母鸡是更一致的，在他们的测距行为花费更多的时间在范围内的整体比那些不一致。这些不同的模式的范围使用应考虑到评估的影响，范围为蛋鸡。 在这项探索性研究中，我们跟踪自由放养的蛋鸡在两个商业鸡群与射频识别（RFID）技术，目的是研究个别母鸡的变化范围使用。在离棚的距离增加处确定了三个不同的室外区域;阳台[0-2.4 m]、近距离[2.4-11.4 m]和远距离[>11.4 m]。母鸡在这些区域之间的活动是使用无线电频率识别技术跟踪的。在研究期间，两个鸡群中的大多数母鸡（A群中68.6%，B群中82.2%）每天都进入该范围。在进入该范围的母鸡中，大多数母鸡进入所有三个区域（A群73.7%，B群84.5%）。母鸡有一半的时间在阳台区域度过。个体内范围使用的一致性（每日持续时间和频率）差异很大，并且在每日范围使用中更一致的母鸡在整个范围内花费更多时间（p < 0.001）。了解个体内和个体之间的测距行为的变化可能有助于阐明蛋鸡测距的影响。
Understanding of how free-range laying hens on commercial farms utilize the outdoor space provided is limited. In order to optimise use of the range, it is important to understand whether hens vary in their ranging behaviour, both between and within individual hens. In our study, we used individual tracking technology to assess how hens in two commercial free-range flocks used the range and whether they varied in their use of the range. We assessed use of three areas at increasing distance from the shed; the veranda [0–2.4 m], close range [2.4–11.4 m], and far range [>11.4 m]. Most hens accessed the range every day (68.6% in Flock A, and 82.2% in Flock B), and most hens that ranged accessed all three areas (73.7% in Flock A, and 84.5% in Flock B). Hens spent half of their time outside in the veranda adjacent to the shed. We found that some hens within the flocks would range consistently (similar duration and frequency) daily, whereas others would range inconsistently. Hens that were more consistent in their ranging behaviour spent more time on the range overall than those that were inconsistent. These different patterns of range use should be taken into account to assess the implications of ranging for laying hens. In this exploratory study, we tracked free-range laying hens on two commercial flocks with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with the aim to examine individual hen variation in range use. Three distinct outdoor zones were identified at increasing distances from the shed; the veranda [0–2.4 m], close range [2.4–11.4 m], and far range [>11.4 m]. Hens’ movements between these areas were tracked using radio frequency identification technology. Most of the hens in both flocks (68.6% in Flock A, and 82.2% in Flock B) accessed the range every day during the study. Of the hens that accessed the range, most hens accessed all three zones (73.7% in Flock A, and 84.5% in Flock B). Hens spent half of their time outdoors in the veranda area. Within-individual consistency of range use (daily duration and frequency) varied considerably, and hens which were more consistent in their daily range use spent more time on the range overall (p < 0.001). Understanding variation within and between individuals in ranging behaviour may help elucidate the implications of ranging for laying hens.