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Genetic Selection for Poultry Behaviour: Big Bad Wolf or Friend in Need?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

R B Jones  and
P M Hocking
R B Jones*
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
P M Hocking
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and reprint requests
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Abstract

Although genetic selection for certain characteristics has compromised the well-being of domestic animals, selective breeding could and probably should be used to improve welfare. Three of the major behavioural problems facing the poultry industry are fear, feather pecking and social stress. However, these and many other behavioural traits respond readily to genetic selection. The present paper reports the results of selective breeding studies in which underlying fearfulness, sociality, feather pecking, adrenocortical responsiveness, and growth rate were manipulated in Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica, or in chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus. The apparent benefits of selection for appropriate levels of these characteristics are discussed, as are the ethical issues involved. The ultimate aims of the selection programmes and the studies described here are to improve the birds ‘ welfare and productivity by increasing their ability to interact successfully with their physical environment, with one another, and with human beings.

Keywords

animal welfarecorticosteronefearfeather peckinggenetic selectionsocial stress
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 8 , Issue 4: Special Issue: Genetics and Animal Welfare , November 1999 , pp. 343 - 359
Copyright
© 1999 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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