Selection of group size by individual laying hens

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Abstract
1. In a multi‐choice test, with unfamiliar cagemates and group sizes of up to 6, the attraction of a cage was inversely proportional to the number of hens it contained, empty cages being chosen most often. This trend was modified but not abolished by the previous experience of being reared in pens in large groups. 2. In a factorially‐designed test all hens spent the greater part of their time in large rather than small cages; hens reared singly chose empty cages rather than cages occupied by one other unfamiliar bird, whereas group‐reared hens selected the occupied cages. 3. In two‐choice tests, a familiar group of 3 hens was strongly preferred to a strange group of the same size; the familiar group was also preferred to an empty cage, but less strongly so.

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