Behaviour of Hens Fed a Glycanase Enzyme in a Wheat and Triticale Diet

Abstract

Caged laying hens (26-38 weeks-of-age) were fed a wheat and triticale diet with and without a commercial glycanase enzyme. Various pecking and behavioural activities of hens were monitored at 28 and 36 weeks, including the measurement of excreta pH, dry matter and moisture content. There was little influence of enzyme supplementation on hen behaviour, although there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) of trampling and increase (P<0.05) in stereotype head flicking observed in hens fed enzymes. A stepwise procedure indicated 38% of the variation associated with excreta pH was explained by excreta dry matter, excreta moisture, light intensity, receiving tail and body pecks. Receiving body pecks, giving vent pecks, excreta moisture, trampling, excreta pH, receiving tail pecks and head flicks were the variables most closely associated with light intensity. This study only identified a few changes in hen behaviour from feeding enzymes. More comprehensive investigations are required.