Behaviour of young domestic fowl directed towards different substrates

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Abstract
1. Eight groups of 6 female ISA Brown chickens of 43 d of age, housed in pens on wood shavings, were used. Each group was given access for 30 min daily for 8 d to 4 trays, each containing a single substrate: peat, sand, sawdust and wood shavings. The behaviour directed towards these substrates was observed and recorded. 2. Although there was variation between pens of birds, peat and wood shavings were used most for ground scratching, ground pecking and resting. 3. Significantly more bouts of dustbathing took place in the peat than in the other substrates (PP<0.001). 4. After short dustbathing bouts in other substrates, birds switched to using peat on 12 occasions, compared with 6 occasions when they switched away from peat. 5. Differences in the use of different substrates may explain the variation in the findings of previous studies on dustbathing. It is suggested that workers should be more specific in their descriptions of litter and be consistent in using a particular material.