عنوان

The effects of maternal presence on early feeding and resting behavior in turkey poults with special reference to starve-out

TLpq304434347

انگلیسی

The effects of maternal presence on early feeding and resting behavior in turkey poults with special reference to starve-out

[Thesis]

L. M. Panning

I. J. H. Duncan

University of Guelph (Canada)

1998

157-157 p.

M.Sc.

University of Guelph (Canada)

1998

Observations on domestic poults with wild turkey hens and various pilot experiments showed that: (1) the hen plays a minimal role in motivating/directing feeding and may indirectly inhibit some feeding behaviours; (2) bouts of feeding alternated with rest, suggesting post-hatch behaviour is based on competition between brooddexing (receiving brooding) and feeding; (3) tactile cues may stimulate brooddexing. Post-hatch feeding and brooddexing were investigated using an artificial surrogate hen to increase brooddexing cues. Groups of ten 1-day-old male poults were raised with or without a surrogate. There were five trials (two repetitions per trial). Pecking behaviour and rhythms were recorded using a new invention called a 'Peck Rate Analyser'. Poults with surrogates, pecked less (P < 0.01) but consumed the same, rested more (P < 0.05) and demonstrated ultradian and circadian pecking patterns, suggesting that the feeding and brooddexing systems compete. Also, poults initiated feeding quickly, without the hen's assistance, suggesting that starve-out is not a learning problem.

Biological sciences

Livestock

I. J. H. Duncan

L. M. Panning

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y