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Article Dans Une Revue British Poultry Science Année : 2008

VOCALISATIONS AND ACOUSTIC PARAMETERS OF FLOCK NOISE FROM FEATHER PECKING AND NON-FEATHER PECKING FLOCKS

Ashleigh Bright
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Résumé

ABSTRACT 1. In this study, the calling rates of vocalisations known to indicate distress and aversive events (Alarm calls, Squawks, Total vocalisations) and acoustic parameters of flock noise were quantified from feather and non-feather pecking flocks. 2. One hour of flock noise (background machinery and hen vocalisations) was recorded from 21 commercial free-range laying hen flocks aged ≥35 weeks. Ten of the flocks were classified as feather pecking (based on a plumage condition score) and 11 as non-feather pecking. 3. Recordings were made using a Sony DAT recorder and Audio-Technica omni-directional microphone, placed in the centre of the house~1.5m from the ground. Avisoft-SASlab Pro was used to create and analyse audio spectrograms. 4. There was no effect of flock size or farm on calls/s or acoustic parameters of flock noise. However, strain had a significant (P =0.021) effect on the number of Total vocalisations/s; the Hebden Black flock made more calls than Lohmann flocks. Feather pecking flocks made significantly more Squawks/s (P = 0.010) and more Total vocalisations/s (P = 0.005) than non-feather pecking flocks. Feather pecking did not explain variation in alarm call rate or, intensity (dB) and frequency (Hz) measures of flock noise. 5. The differences between Squawk and Total vocalisation call rates of feather and non-feather pecking flocks are a new finding. An increase or change in flock calling rate may be evident before other conventional measures of laying hen welfare such as a drop in egg production or increase in plumage damage, thus enabling farmers to make management or husbandry changes to prevent an outbreak of feather pecking.

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Dates et versions

hal-00545329 , version 1 (10-12-2010)

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Ashleigh Bright. VOCALISATIONS AND ACOUSTIC PARAMETERS OF FLOCK NOISE FROM FEATHER PECKING AND NON-FEATHER PECKING FLOCKS. British Poultry Science, 2008, 49 (03), pp.241-249. ⟨10.1080/00071660802094172⟩. ⟨hal-00545329⟩

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