The Behavioural Biology of Chickens

Synopsis

Chickens are by far the world's most widely farmed animal, kept for both meat and egg production. They are at the centre of many debates regarding housing and production systems, causing significant interest in what lies behind chicken behaviour. This accessible book covers sensory biology, behavioural development, preferences and aversions, social behaviour, learning and cognition, behavioural issues in different systems and solutions for behavioural problems. Authored by an authority on chicken ethology, it brings together the fields of animal behaviour, neuroscience, psychology and epidemiology to provide a comprehensive understanding of chicken behaviour and help improve the lives of farmed chickens around the world.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Evolution and Domestication of Chickens

* Discusses the evolutionary origins of chickens and their domestication by humans.
* Example: The genetic analysis of Red Junglefowl, the wild ancestor of chickens, reveals that they diverged around 10,000 years ago.

Chapter 2: The Senses of Chickens

* Examines the sensory modalities of chickens, including vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
* Example: Chickens have excellent color vision, enabling them to differentiate between different shades of food and mates.

Chapter 3: The Cognitive Abilities of Chickens

* Explores the cognitive capabilities of chickens, such as learning, problem-solving, and social intelligence.
* Example: Chickens can recognize and distinguish between different human faces and voices.

Chapter 4: The Feeding Behavior of Chickens

* Describes the foraging and feeding behaviors of chickens, including their preferences for different types of food and their ability to learn optimal foraging strategies.
* Example: Chickens exhibit a preference for balanced diets containing a variety of grains, insects, and leafy greens.

Chapter 5: The Reproductive Behavior of Chickens

* Discusses the mating and reproductive behaviors of chickens, including courtship rituals, egg-laying, and parental care.
* Example: Roosters engage in elaborate courtship displays, such as strutting, bowing, and feather flicking, to attract hens.

Chapter 6: The Social Behavior of Chickens

* Examines the social interactions and hierarchical structures within chicken flocks.
* Example: Chickens form dominance hierarchies based on aggressive interactions and establish pecking orders that determine their access to resources.

Chapter 7: The Welfare of Chickens

* Explores the concept of animal welfare and discusses the factors that contribute to the well-being of chickens in both commercial and backyard settings.
* Example: Providing adequate space, proper nutrition, and opportunities for socialization can enhance the welfare of chickens.

Chapter 8: The Future of Chicken Welfare

* Discusses emerging trends and research directions in the field of chicken welfare.
* Example: The use of precision farming technologies and artificial intelligence is improving the monitoring and management of chicken health and well-being.