Influence of a Modified Drinking System and Barn Climate on the Behavior of Fattening Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo )

Stephanie Schäfers (), Katje Kulke and Nicole Kemper
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Stephanie Schäfers: Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
Katje Kulke: Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany
Nicole Kemper: Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Agonistic behavior is a problem of animal welfare in commercial turkey fattening. In this study, possible influences of the barn layout and the climate of the barn on the behavior of fattening turkeys on a commercial farm were investigated. The study was conducted on a turkey farm with two comparable barns. A modified ventilation system was installed in the trial barn to improve the removal of NH 3 and CO 2 . The drinkers were rearranged to increase the animals’ free floor area. In each barn, 3600 male turkeys (B.U.T. 6) were housed. Videos were recorded continuously from housing until removal for three consecutive fattening periods. NH 3 and CO 2 values were recorded. Turkeys showed increased activity ( p < 0.001) and comfort behavior in the trial barn during late fattening ( p = 0.002). Agonistic behavior increased during late fattening, particularly around the drinkers ( p < 0.001). NH 3 levels differed at the beginning of fattening. The study shows that extending the resting area contributes to increased activity and comfort behavior. The rearrangement of drinkers showed no positive effects on agonistic behavior, as the distance between individual drinkers was too small. Due to behavioral differences being most evident in late fattening, no conclusions can be drawn concerning the influence of CO 2 and NH 3 .

Keywords: behavior; barn climate; CO 2; drinkers; NH 3; pecking; turkeys; ventilation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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