Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2012
Developing a method to investigate motivational sequences in the chick
Seehuus B, Blokhuis H, Mendl M, Keeling LAbstract
The goal of this study was to design an experimental set-up which would encourage chicks to perform behavioural phases that are traditionally labelled as appetitive, consummatory and post-consummatory, in different areas of the pen. This concept aims to link these phases, to related positive emotions. In this model, appetitive motivational state is linked to the seeking/wanting of a resource, a consummatory motivational state is linked with sensory pleasure and a post-consummatory motivational state is associated with satiety/relaxation. The study focused on foraging-related behaviours in chicks. A pen was designed with three equally sized areas, a litter, feed and dark area. The results showed that it was possible to at least partially separate appetitive, consummatory and post-consummatory behaviour and that the chicks were highly synchronized in their behaviour and their use of the pen areas.Keywords
Animal welfare; laying hen chick; motivation; positive emotions; reward cycle; synchronizationPublished in
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science2012, volume: 62, number: 2, pages: 93-101
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Authors' information
Seehuus, Birgitte
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health
Mendl, M.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health
Associated SLU-program
Centre of Excellence in Animal Welfare Science
UKÄ Subject classification
Agricultural Science
Publication Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2012.721388
URI (permanent link to this page)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/41596