Project

The impact of novel early-life management practices and outdoor enrichment on the welfare and range use of free-range laying hens

Code
01CD03324
Duration
01 April 2024 → 30 September 2024
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Behavioural biology
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Agricultural animal welfare
Keywords
UWB animal welfare chicken free-range ultra-wideband laying hen
 
Project description
Laying hens were either submitted or not to a novel incubation treatment (incubation in green light) and rearing treatment (live insect larvae), and their outdoor range was enriched with insect larvae. Their range use was monitored by ultra-wideband trackers, body measures were taken to monitor physical welfare, and behavioural tests to infer differences in fearfulness and stress.