Demonstration of a motivational accumulation in domestic hens (Gallus gallus var. domesticus)
Wennrich, G.; Strauss, D.D.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 84(8): 310-316
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 336338 Document Number: 123195
Two groups of 12 adult White Leghorn-hybrid hens were studied to see if and how far a short-term housing in cages leads to a change in activity which may be interpreted as an accumulation of "action-specific energy". The hens were first housed on floor and afterwards in cages with subsequent choice between cages or floor. The frequency of different behaviour patterns was registered for 2 hours per week by visual observations in sessions of 15 minutes for each individual. A large increase was found for ground-scratching, body and tail shaking, wing-flapping, bilateral wing-stretching and dust-bathing. According to the analogism the assumption is justified that these drives and unilateral wing-stretching could not be satisfied during a period of 3 weeks' caging.