Pecking and scratching in the development of dust perception in young chicks

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the possibility that early pecking and scratching experiences by a chick may influence its dustbathing later in life. Pecking experience was controlled in pairs of chicks housed in wire cages by presentation of peat or sand from small boxes. In experiment 1 (12 pairs) 5 min tests were carried out on days 3-9 and 16-17, whereas on days 10-15 we allowed the chicks to peck for 30 min in order to elicit dustbathing on a glassplate. Finally, a dustbathing choice test, in which the chicks were allowed full access to dustbathe in the substrates, was carried out on days 16-19. In experiment 2, 8 pairs were given 2 min pecking experience, and 8 pairs 10 min of pecking experience with sand on day 5-9, and all pairs were given 5 min pecking experience on days 3 and 4; the birds were then tested for dustbathing on days 10-15, as in experiment 1. In experiment 1, pecking at peat increased from day 3 to 9 and peat was preferred over sand. The amount of pecking at either or both substrates was examined for correlation with later dustbathing performance towards these substrates, and, generally, a positive and significant correlation was found between pecking at peat on day 3, and dustbathing on the glass (day 10-15) as well as with dustbathing in the substrates during the dustbathing choice tests. Furthermore, a regression analysis revealed that the amount of total pecking on day 3-9 was associated with increased dustbathing on days 10-15. Scratching during the 5 min pecking tests was positively correlated with pecking except for scratching while pecking at peat on days 16+17. Scratching on days 16+17 while pecking at sand, but not at peat, was positively correlated with dustbathing directed towards sand (30 min tests) and in sand during the dustbathing choice tests. In experiment 2, the chicks that were given most pecking experience on day 5-9 tended to dustbathe more during the 30 min tests day on 10-15. In conclusion, early pecking (day 3-5) at dusty substrates was related to later dustbathing and may be significant for the development of dust perception in young chicks, whereas scratching while pecking at sand became related to dustbathing in sand after day 10-15.