The effect of implanted gonadal hormones on feather pecking and cannibalism in pullets

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Abstract
Gonadal hormones were implanted in pullets aged 12 weeks and the development of feather pecking was compared with that of unimplanted controls. Up to 18 weeks, progesterone produced a moderate but significant increase in pecking, oestrogen and progesterone together a much greater increase. From 18 to 24 weeks the normal onset‐of‐lay rise in pecking in the controls was prevented by testosterone. The findings suggest that the normal onset‐of‐lay rise is hormonal in origin and can be simulated by administering a combination of oestrogen and progesterone. The damaging forms of pecking can be blocked by giving testosterone, at least in pullets.