Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23261
Title: | Spatial Cognition and Range Use in Free-Range Laying Hens |
---|---|
Contributor(s): | Campbell, Dana (author); Talk, Andrew (author)![]() |
Publication Date: | 2018 |
Open Access: | Yes |
DOI: | 10.3390/ani8020026![]() |
Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23261 |
Abstract: | Radio-frequency identification tracking shows individual free-range laying hens vary in range use, with some never going outdoors. The range is typically more environmentally complex, requiring navigation to return to the indoor resources. Outdoor-preferring hens may have improved spatial abilities compared to indoor-preferring hens. Experiment 1 tested 32 adult ISA Brown hens in a T-maze learning task that showed exclusively-indoor birds were slowest to reach the learning success criterion (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 tested 117 pullets from enriched or non-enriched early rearing treatments (1 pen replicate per treatment) in the same maze at 15-16 or 17-18 weeks. Enriched birds reached learning success criterion faster at 15–16 weeks (p < 0.05) but not at 17–18 weeks (p > 0.05), the age that coincided with the onset of lay. Enriched birds that were faster to learn the maze task showed more range visits in the first 4 weeks of range access. Enriched and non-enriched birds showed no differences in telencephalon or hippocampal volume (p > 0.05). Fear may reduce spatial abilities but further testing with more pen replicates per early rearing treatments would improve our understanding of the relationship between spatial cognitive abilities and range use. |
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Source of Publication: | Animals, 8(2), p. 1-14 |
Publisher: | MDPI AG |
Place of Publication: | Switzerland |
ISSN: | 2076-2615 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 070202 Animal Growth and Development |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 300301 Animal growth and development |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 830309 Poultry |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 100411 Poultry |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes |
HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Environmental and Rural Science School of Psychology |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format |
---|
Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.