Farm level factors associated with feather pecking in organic laying hens
Farm level factors associated with feather pecking in organic laying hens
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DOI：
10.1016/s0301-6226(02)00314-7
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发表时间：
2003-03-01
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Wagenaar, JP
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Bestman, MWP;Wagenaar, JP
研究人员对荷兰不同地区26个农场的63只鸡进行了监测，这些鸡可能与有机农业系统中鸡的羽毛啄食有关。研究人员收集了房屋和管理实践方面的数据，并在50周龄或更大的时候对羽毛啄伤情况进行了评分。18只（29%）鸡羽无损伤或轻度损伤，12只（19%）鸡羽中度损伤，33只（52%）鸡羽严重损伤。研究发现，在鸡群中使用户外饲养的母鸡比例高，购买时年龄小，以及鸡群中公鸡数量的增加，可以显著减少50周龄或更大时的羽毛啄伤。与户外放牧增加相关的因素是羊群规模较小，购买时年龄较小，羊群中出现的小公鸡数量增加以及放牧中覆盖的百分比较高。根据结果，有机农民可能会从自己饲养蛋鸡中受益。他们应该让小公鸡和他们的蛋蛋在一起。其他导致低羽毛啄伤的做法是通过用植物或人工覆盖物使其具有吸引力或将鸟群规模保持在500只左右来刺激户外跑道的使用。(C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.版权所有
Farm-level factors that could be associated with feather pecking of layers kept in organic farming systems were monitored in 63 flocks from 26 farms located in different areas of The Netherlands. Data on housing and management practices were collected and plumage damage as a measure of feather pecking was scored at 50 weeks of age or older. No or little plumage damage was found in 18 (29%) flocks, moderate damage in 12 (19%) flocks and severe damage in 33 (52%) flocks. A high percentage of hens in the flock using the outdoor run, a young age at purchase and an increasing number of cockerels present in the flock were found to significantly decrease feather pecking damage at 50 weeks or older. Factors associated with increased usage of the outdoor run were smaller flock size, a young age at purchase, an increasing number of cockerels present in the flock and a higher percentage of cover in the run. Based on the results organic farmers are likely to benefit from rearing their own layers. They should keep cockerels with their layers. Other practices resulting in low feather pecking damage are stimulating the use of the outdoor run by making it attractive with vegetative or artificial cover or keeping the flock size at around 500 birds. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.