Skip to Main Content

Measuring behaviour in hens using an ethogram to assess analgesia during further refinement of a high welfare, on-hen, poultry red mite feeding device

Authors:

  • F. G. Nunn

  • D. A. Ewing

  • K. Bartley

  • Javier Palarea-Albaladejo

  • W. Chen

  • D. R. G. Price

  • A. J. Nisbet

Is Part of:

F1000 Research, 12, 715

Abstract:

Background:

To refine an on-hen mite feeding device, an ethogram was employed to measure the reactions of hens during a routine experimental procedure (feather plucking) and to assess effects of analgesic cream on those reactions.

Methods:

Three experimental groups were used; one treated with EMLA 5% before plucking (“EMLA group”); one with aqueous cream (“placebo group”) and a “no treatment” group. Behaviours were measured and compared on three days: ‘dummy handling day’ i.e. no plucking; ‘plucking day’, plucking the left thigh; and ‘treatment day’ i.e with right thighs plucked post-treatment. Poultry red mite feeding assays were performed to examine effect of creams on mite feeding rates, mortality and fecundity. All data were analysed using generalised linear (mixed) modelling approaches.

Results:

Use of the ethogram demonstrated no significant difference in hen behaviours in the EMLA group between dummy handling day and treatment day (p = 0.949) alongside a significant reduction in measured behaviours between plucking day and treatment day in the same group (p = 0.028). There was a statistically significant increase in measured behaviours from the dummy handling day to the plucking day in both placebo (p = 0.011) and no treatment group (p < 0.001). Effect sizes and directions were similar between dummy handling and treatment days in the ‘placebo’ and ‘no treatment’ groups, though not statistically significant (placebo, p = 0.064; no treatment p = 0.069). Mite feeding in the EMLA group was significantly lower than in the no treatment group in feeding assay 1 (p = 0.029) only. Mite mortality and fertility were unaffected.

Conclusions:

The ethogram successfully measured changes in observed behaviours between the dummy handling session and procedures. No adverse effects of EMLA cream on hens were demonstrated at 3mg/kg in hens. Use of analgesia for this routine procedure improves hens’ experiences during experimental trials.

Join the Moredun Community

Contribute to the Moredun community, and together we can help make a difference to livestock health. View newssheets and updates online.

Sign up