SOCIALIZATION AS A FACTOR IN RESISTANCE TO INFECTION, FEED-EFFICIENCY, AND RESPONSE TO ANTIGEN IN CHICKENS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (11) , 2010-2012
Abstract
Chickens were habituated to humans (socialized) by being talked to, offered food and handled gently. After 7 wk of socializatin, the birds were challenge exposed with Escherichia coli. When compared with ignored groups, the socialized birds showed a > 60% reduction in the prevalence of death and pericarditis. Small flocks of socialized birds were more uniform in their response to E. coli than were similar nonsocialized flocks. Socialized chickens also had improved feed efficiency and increased antibody response to cane red blood cells. Socialization was also applied easily to larger flocks of chickens.