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Behavioural study

There is a significant difference between the test groups of chickens regarding time spent performing the tested behaviours in the ethogram. Ross 308 at 8 weeks spent significantly more time performing feeding behaviour than Rowan Rangers at 8 weeks and significantly less time lying down compared to Rowan Rangers at 8 weeks.

Bar chart displaying average time (%) spend performing a behaviour during the observed time for the three test groups of chickens. The bar chart is shown with whiskers (+1 SD). The numbers in the bars display average time (%) spent performing a behaviour and letters indicate a significance difference. RR5 = Rowan Rangers 5 weeks, RR8 = Rowan Rangers 8 weeks and Ross8 = Ross 308 8 weeks .

Light data

There was no significant difference between the relative time (%) spent on the outside perimiter. Neither was there any significant difference regarding average duration spent outside whilst being on the outside perimeter between the three test groups of chickens .

Bar chart with whiskers (+1 SD) displaying a) relative time spent outside for the morning and afternoon respectively, and b) how long the chickens spent outside during the morning and afternoon respectively. The numbers in the bars show averages. RR5 = Rowan Rangers 5 weeks, RR8 = Rowan Rangers 8 weeks and Ross8 = Ross 308 8 weeks.

Activity data

There was a significant difference regarding active bouts per hour during the morning and during the afternoon between the three test groups of chickens. Ross 308 at 8 weeks had on average significantly more active bouts per hour during the afternoon than both Rowan Rangers at 5 weeks and Rowan Rangers at 8 weeks.

Ross 308 at 8 weeks had on average a significantly longer duration of activity during the afternoon than both Rowan Rangers at 5 weeks and Rowan Rangers at 8 weeks.

Bar chart with whiskers (+1 SD) of a) active bouts per hour displaying how often the activity count was over the threshold during the morning and afternoon respectively, and b) relative activity (%) and whiskers (+1 SD) displaying average time the chickens moved during daylight hours for the morning and afternoon respectively. The numbers in the bars display averages and letters indicate a significance difference. RR5 = Rowan Rangers 5 weeks, RR8 = Rowan Rangers 8 weeks and Ross8 = Ross 308 8 weeks.


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Last updated: 05/03/16