Farmer attitudes to injurious pecking in laying hens and to potential control strategies

Laura J Palczynski, Henry Buller, Sarah L Lambton, Claire A Weeks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
414 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Farmers’ recognition of health and welfare problems, and their responses to related intervention programmes such as those to reduce injurious pecking (IP) in hens, directly influence the welfare of animals in their care. Changing those responses can be achieved through a re-positioning of social drivers as well as from individual behaviour. This study begins by considering how certain levels of plumage damage become normalised while others might be considered unacceptable. Drawing upon in-depth farmer interviews, the study investigates how management practices for addressing the issue of IP are developed and enacted, looking at the relative influence of intrinsic and extrinsic individual behavioural factors. Twelve farmers with varied uptake of evidence-based management strategies designed to reduce levels of IP were interviewed. Although farmers ranked images of flocks with various levels of plumage damage in a similar order to scientists, their perception of levels of IP in their own flocks varied, and was not consistently associated with the actual levels measured. Most farmers recognised both financial and welfare implications of IP and expressed pride in having a good-looking flock. The popular management strategies were those designed to redirect pecking to other objects, whereas a substantial barrier to uptake was the perception of creating other problems: for example mislaid eggs if early access to litter and range were adopted. To achieve uptake of knowledge that improves animal welfare on farm it may be necessary both to shift the norms perceived as acceptable, and to overcome barriers to change that include lack of time and understanding, by providing impartial advice and facilitation of ownership of the issues.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-38
Number of pages10
JournalAnimal Welfare
Volume25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • changing attitudes
  • laying hens
  • injurious pecking
  • management strategies
  • perception
  • animal welfare

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