Poultry: Animal behaviour and problems.

General information

There is a great variety of poultry. All of them have one thing in common, namely that they lay eggs and that they are used, depending on their breed, as meat suppliers (chicken) or as laying hens. Over the years then the egg yield and the meat growth has by breeding measures been increased and increased in a way that for some breeds it led to damages and suffering and still does. In the course of domestication the capability of flying has decreased. There are high- performance breeds, for instance among fattening turkeys, who can hardly walk. The animal protection strongly disapproves of such developments and consumers are urged on doing something about this by well-considered purchasing.

Social behaviour

All too seldom, unfortunately, one comes across the pleasant sight of a flock of chicken pecking harmoniously with a majestic cock in their midst. Especially in the factory farming we hardly can observe the natural social behaviour. The social behaviour within the same species can best be observed in an intact flock of poultry like geese and turkeys. There is a quacking, pinching, scolding, running, cawing. Or one sees turkeys spreading out their wings, trembling about their own beauty, strutting around. In the next corner two turkeys charge at each other, the loser suffering injuries. This varied behaviour only happens with poultry living in a run-out-yard, in a natural environment.

Behavioural disturbances

As a rule, behaviour disorder only occurs if the poultry is not kept in ways appropriate to their species and if they have to live on a limited space. Let us mention here the constantly pecking animals in a lower social ranking which can lead to their death. On the other hand, quarreling at the automatic feed dispenser or when giving delicacies like salad or fruit is a normal behaviour pattern of chicken. Even the martially looking cockfights are part of the social ranking regulations and, therefore, cannot be categorized as behaviour disorder. Already the chicks after a short time start to play this game. If a goose bites the leg of a human being, it is possible, with some patience, to break him of this habit.

Man-Animal communication

Communicating with the poultry starts with the observation of the species. Depending on the age and the species of poultry this can be very different. What always remains the same is the unbroken interest for feed and the significance of the feeding for setting up of a good man-animal relationship. And the use of one's own voice has its own meaning.

Animals "talk" to their fellow species by body posture, position of the tail, facial expression, vocalization and so on. If a human being has the position of companion and substitute for fellow species, then he must try to make up for he big deficit. The easiest way to do this is to speak calmly with his pets. Animals are extremely capable of learning and understand very quickly what words, the tone of voice and gestures want to say. In most cases, feeding, collecting eggs and cleaning out the stable lead to best contacts between poultry and human being. The feathered friends get used to the human voice very quickly and even react to music.

Mood barometer

There is hardly another species of poultry than the goose that shows his mood unequivocally by his behaviour. If he waddles off to somebody hissing and in aggressive posture, then it's best not to tangle with him. If on the other hand he bills friendly inquisitively on clothes and shoes, then it is possible to even caress him. All around feed, of course, poultry does not have a sense of humour. There is an eating and eating as if they were running for their lives.

Psychology of animals

Whoever has the privilege to observe his own poultry will notice with astonishment in what varied ways they communicate within the species by body posture and vocalization. For instance the chicken: Researchers have registered 30 different vocalizations which can clearly be distinguished. They are uttered during oviposition, in case of emergency, fear, contentedness etc. Observation of the social ranking within the flock is very informative and can certainly further the understanding for these animals.