An enrichment object that reduces aggressiveness and mortality in caged laying hens

The effect on aggressive pecking activity and mortality by an environmental enrichment device was examined. In this study, 2955 White Leghorn chickens from three different lines were used in six separate experiments. Experiments were conducted with chickens during their first or second laying period. Half the cages in each experiment were equipped with colored key rings or an enrichment object manufactured by Gallus Ltd. (Israel). Experimental and control groups of cages were distributed in an alternate serial order for each experiment which lasted for 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 months. The enrichment devices significantly reduced aggressive head-pecking behavior and significantly decreased the mortality rate from 1.06% per month among the controls to 0.57% among the experimental groups.