Project
HappyHen: development of indicators to assess positive welfare in laying hens
The welfare of poultry in production systems is becoming increasingly important in society. Especially with recent developments related to the covenant “Dierwaardige Veehouderij” (Humane Animal Farming) in the Netherlands, there is increasing attention for not only avoiding negative welfare but also promoting positive Docusign Envelope ID: 371A4510-805B-4C06-9D72-961F967CA5ED welfare (PW). However, knowledge on - and indicators for large scale recording of - PW in poultry are currentlylimited. Therefore, this project aims to develop indicators and (new) technologies to assess PW in laying hens for automated phenotyping (in line with ST2), to subsequently investigate whether there are individual differences in the extent to which hens experience PW and how these relate to other phenotypes (health, performance).
The project will consist of three work packages (WPs). WP1 will focus on recognizing PW in laying hens. First, we will perform an update of the current literature on potential indicators of PW, using the literature study performed in the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare https://www.eupahw.eu/) as a starting point, to obtain an overview of potential physiological and behavioural indicators of PW and of behavioural tests that can provide insight into birds’ needs and emotions. Furthermore, we will perform behavioural tests (e.g., operant tasks) to examine birds’ preferences, and behavioural and physiological
expressions of PW. Using the resulting outcomes, we will develop behavioural indicators of PW in laying hens. WP2 will focus on recording indicators of PW automatically. Using the results from WP1, indicators of PW will be developed that can be measured non-invasively under commercial conditions for automated phenotyping. Subsequently, we will examine and test sensors for recording these indicators automatically in a pilot study using contrasting environments. In WP3, we will examine whether there are individual differences in PW and whether these are heritable, using the sensors from WP2. Moreover, we will examine phenotypic and genetic correlations between PW and other traits, such as body mass, keel bone damage, feather quality and/or general activity levels. Overall, the results of this project can contribute to adapting laying hen housing systems and management to birds’ preferences and to including PW in breeding programs and farm monitoring, with the overall aim of improving laying hen welfare in production systems.