HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Animal & Veterinary Science
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Rehovot
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Gadi Gvaryahu
Coordinator Office Hours:
Teaching Staff:
Dr.
Course/Module description:
This course will concentrate on the relationship between poultry behavior, management, welfare and the farm profit . In addition the domestication process regarding both precocial and altrocial birds' behavior will be investigated.
Multiple examples will be offered to demonstrate the importance of expanding our knowledge with regard to animal behavior in general, and birds and poultry in particular, in order to improve the welfare of chickens kept in industrial facilities. Some of the topics that we will cover include:
the vocal connection between embryos in incubators and the influence on the synchronization of the hatching process; the phenomenon of filial imprinting of precocial chicks and its effect on chick husbandry; the effect of the scent of pyrazine on learning and memory among domestic chickens. In addition we will discuss the sexual behavior, brooding, laying, and feeding behavior of brooding flocks
Farm animals are raised in very crowded environments with limited stimuli and we will discuss: 1.The connection between the welfare of the birds and what is profitable for the farmer 2. The influence of environmental enrichment via activating devices, music, curiosity, and play on chicks in commercial farms. Finally, we will ask whether domesicated chickens, having been cultivated and undergone selective breeding are able to learn, habituate and remember. What complex learning techniques are chickens actually able to develop?
Course/Module aims:
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. To recognize and identify typical behaviors of poultry,
and to learn how to use them as a way to measure their welfare.
2. To recognize and be able to explain the connection between the domestication process of precocial birds and their behaviors.
3. To understand and
research the connection between poultry behavior, welfare and the profit of the chicken farm.
4.To explain and demonstrate how to improve and increase husbandry efficiency while deepening knowledge of animal behavior.
Attendance requirements(%):
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Course/Module Content:
1.Introduction: The connection between כarm animal behvior and the poultry industry.
2. Domestication and behavior.
3. Senses and communication
4. Learning
5. Feeding Behavior
6. Imprinting
7. Sexual imprinting
8. Mating behavior
9. Nesting and incubation
10. Environmental enrichment
11. Movement, use of space, activity and territory.
12. Social recognition and communication
13. Poultry welfare
Required Reading:
חומר מומלץ לקריאה.
חומר חובה יועבר במהלך הקורס.
1. Appleby, M.C., Mench, J.A., Olsson, I. A. S., Hughes, B.O. 2011. Animal Welfare 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press.
2. Farner, D.S., King, J.R., Parkes, K.C. 1975. Avian Biology, Vol. V. (pp. 391-395) Academic Press, Inc.
3. ענת ברנע 2004 נושאים בהתנהגות בעלי-חיים. יחידה 2. אונטוגנזה של התנהגות ולמידה האוניברסיטה הפתוחה.
4. Alcock.J. 2013 Animal Behavior. 10th Edition Sinaner Associations, Inc.
5. Grandin T. 2010. Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach. CAB International.
6. Beaver. B. V. 1994. The Veterinarians Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. Iowa State University Press.
7. Sagedal, C. 2017 Assessment of Boxes as a Source of Environmental Enrichment for Broiler Chickens. Masters Thesis. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Additional Reading Material:
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 50 %
Presentation 0 %
Participation in Tutorials 0 %
Project work 30 %
Assignments 0 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 20 %
Active Participation
Additional information:
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