Pecking behavior

4 important questions on Pecking behavior

What different types of feather pecking are there?

Gentle and severe feather pecking.
Severe FP is divided in tissue pecking and vent pecking (pecking of cloaca and surrounding tissues after laying an egg) and can both lead to cannibalism.

Is feather pecking aggression? If not, what is the difference with aggressive pecking?

No, feather pecks are not aggressive pecks.
Aggressive pecking:
  • To maintain dominance hierarchy
  • Directed at the head
  • Usually doen't do much damage

What is the most current hypothesis regarding feather pecking?

That feather pecking is a redirected behavior related to foraging behavior.
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Explain why this hypothesis about FP might be true.


Modern laying hen does not need to show foraging behavior to obtain feed, while:
  • In the wild, chickens forage 65% of the time
  • They are highly motivated to show foraging behavior

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