The effect of foraging material and perch height on feather pecking and feather damage in laying hens

Feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) may not only cause welfare problems, but also result in economic losses due to feather damage and increased mortality. The present study aimed at testing whether foraging material and perch height have significant effects on feather pecking and feather damage. From week 19 to week 30 after hatching, groups of 14 hens (white `Lohman Selected Leghorn' hybrids) were kept in pens with or without access to polystyrene blocks as foraging material and with low or high perches (45 cm or 70 cm above floor level; 2×2 factorial design; four pens each per housing condition). Time since introduction of the hens into the experimental pens (P<0.0001) and provision of foraging material (P<0.002), but not perch height, had significant effects on the rate of feather pecking interactions. Feather pecking was less frequent in pens with than without polystyrene blocks. On the other hand, feather damage in week 30 was significantly more pronounced in pens with low than with high perches (P<0.05), but not significantly influenced by the provision of foraging material. Hens sitting or standing on the floor were especially likely to elicit feather pecking. Individuals characterised by relatively high rates of feather pecking showed more severe forms of this behaviour. It is concluded that hens should be provided with foraging material and high perches during the laying period to reduce feather pecking and feather damage.