Commercial hatchery practices have long-lasting effects on laying hens' spatial behaviour and health.

ABSTRACT: The commercial hatchery process is globally standardized and exposes billions of day-old layer chicks to stress every year. By alleviating this early stress, on-farm hatching is thought to improve animal welfare, yet little is known about its effects throughout production. This study compared welfare indicators and spatial behaviours during the laying period of hens hatched in an on-farm environment (OFH) to those hatched in a commercial hatchery and transferred at one day-old to a rearing barn (STAN). In particular, we assessed how OFH and TRAN hens differed in space-use and movement behaviours following the transfer to the laying barn at 17 weeks of age, a similar stressor encountered by STAN hens early in life, and determined whether effects aligned more with the 'silver-spoon' or 'envi

SUBMITTER: Montalcini CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10732460 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature