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C J Nicol

Publications and source records attributed to C J Nicol.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of spatial allowance, group size and perches on the behavior of hens in cages with nests.

The behaviour of laying hens housed in 'welfare-improved' cages fitted with one nest per hen was investigated with manipulations of group size (two or four birds), spatial allowance excluding the nests (600 cm2 or 1200 cm2 per bird) and perch provision (presence or absence). More time was spent in the nests by birds housed at 600 cm2 than at 1200 cm2, and by birds housed in pairs than in four. Perch provision had no significant effect on time spent in the nest but resulted in reduced nest soiling by birds housed at 1200 cm2, and increased 'comfort' behaviour by some groups.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variation in behavioural indices of fearfulness and fatigue in transported broilers.

Several behavioural measures were used to determine fearfulness and fatigue in broiler chickens subjected to fasting and/or transportation. There was considerable variability between four replicates, although measures within replicates were acceptably consistent. There was no uniform effect of fasting or transport on behaviour. The most cogent results were obtained by monitoring post-journey behaviour. In the few hours after transport, fasted and transported birds stood more than control birds which could be explained by increased food-searching behaviour and/or arousal. It is argued that the high variability between replicates indicates that considerable efforts must be made to control environmental variables in studies of behaviour after transporting chickens.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The depletion of glycogen stores and indices of dehydration in transported broilers.

Broilers were either not transported or were transported for 2, 4 or 6 hours after having been subjected to food withdrawal times of less than one hour or of ten hours. The birds were then slaughtered using normal commercial practices. The longer period of food deprivation reduced liver weight and glycogen content, and circulating glucose concentrations. It also elevated the ultimate pH value (pHu) in the biceps muscle and by implication, therefore, reduced its glycogen content. With longer journey times, liver weight and glycogen content decreased. Transport had an inconsistent effect on glycogen concentration in the pectoral muscle but progressively reduced its pHu. In contrast, pHu in the biceps progressively increased, by implication because transport depleted muscle glycogen levels. Birds transported further had higher concentrations of total protein in their plasma which, though this was not significant, also had a higher osmolality. This suggests that transported birds became dehydrated. Additionally, the depletion of body glycogen stores might be associated with the perception of fatigue.

Animals↗