Our project consists of two work packages dealing with the phenomenon of toe pecking. Work package 1 deals with the identification of risk factors for toe pecking, which will be assessed by interviews with producers and investigations on farms with different experiences (i.e. never, occasionally, always problems with toe pecking). For each experience category, farms are selected on which a catalogue of different parameters including flock, farm and management factors will be recorded per flock. In addition, a proportion of animals per flock will be examined for toe injuries (frequency and severity of injury). In flocks where toe pecking is occurring during the time of Work package 1, additional video recordings will be made to document and describe the behaviour under practical conditions.
In Work package 2, focused observations combining video and automate tracking between the beginning of lay and 40 weeks of age, will allow us to identify whether toe pecking originates with self- or conspecific pecking. Through a combination of daily direct observations and standardized health assessments, focal birds will be identified (alongside a matched control) for behavioural observations to identify behaviour both preceding and following initial identification of toe pecking behaviour and toe injuries. Inclusion of specific parental crosses will also allow heritability estimates to be calculated laying the foundation for genetic interventions.
Following data collection, results will be disseminated to the scientific community through conference presentations and peer-reviewed research articles as well as the stakeholder community via articles in trade publications and management recommendations through communication through relevant industry groups, e.g., GalloSuisse.