Award details

The vision control of movement between perches in domestic fowl: assessment of factors affecting risk of injury

ReferenceD13812
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Patrick Green
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr Marie Haskell, Dr Robert Jones
Institution Heriot-Watt University
DepartmentSch of Life Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 177,244
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/04/2001
End date 01/04/2004
Duration36 months

Abstract

This innovative project will investigate the causes of an important animal welfare problem, the high level of bone damage that occurs in hens housed in perchery and aviary systems. Hens will be video recorded whilst jumping between perches, and measures of jumping accuracy will be obtained that predict the likelihood of mis-timed landings and so of injury. Effects on accuracy of the level and type of illumination, the visual contrast of the perch, obstruction of the perch, and distraction by other perching hens will be investigated. The results will advance knowledge of cognitive and sensory processes underpinning locomotion and will lead to recommendations for design of perchery and aviary systems to reduce the risk of bone damage.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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