Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

An unselected group of red junglefowl (P0) and its offspring generation selected for tameness towards humans (F1) were tested.

Depending on their response to human presence, the birds were divided into three groups (1) fearful, (2) intermediate, (3) non-feraful.

To be able to validate and compare social and aggressive behaviour between the selection lines and between the genders, three different test took place; a mirror test, an undisturbed behaviour test and a standardized social reinstatement test.

The mirror test was  a novel kind of social reinstatement test was performed. Each bird were recorded individually in a test arena.

General behaviour studies were performed of the P0-generation in a more undisturbed manner, in order to quantify other aspects of the social behaviour which may be correlated to the selection test results.

Using a runway arena, the social reinstatement was assessed. This test makes it possible to measure latency for approaching conspecifics and the motivation for the bird to stay close to other birds.