Individual variation in fearfulness can be modified during ontogeny, and high levels of fear
can affect animal welfare. We asked whether early-life environmental complexity and …

The environmental complexity, both during early and adult life, contributes to shaping
individuals' fearfulness. The present study aimed at testing whether hens reared in an aviary …

The complexity of the rearing environment is important for behavioral development and
fearfulness. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that laying hens reared in a …

Laying hens housed in complex housing systems (eg, aviaries) must be raised in equally
complex rearing systems to thrive. Using three-dimensional space requires physical and …

Different commercial lines of laying hens may show varying levels of fearfulness in response
to stressful events or situations. It is important to understand the differences in fear response …

Maternal stress can affect the offspring of birds, possibly due to hormone deposition in the
egg. Additionally, phenotypic diversity resulting from domestication and selection for …

Different genetic lines of laying hens may show varying levels of fearfulness in response to
stressful events or situations. It is important to select appropriate genetic strains when …

Chickens kept under intensive conditions are often housed in multi-deck battery cage
systems. The effects on egg production of housing birds at different cage levels have been …

Fearfulness of an individual can affect its sensitivity to stress, while at the same time the
social situation in which an animal lives can affect its fear level. It is however unknown what …

Low birth weight (LBW) piglets are an increasingly common occurrence on commercial pig
farms, due to selection for sow fecundity. In humans, LBW is a known risk factor for impaired …