A Compassion Over Killing Report:
Animal Suffering in the Egg Industry
Feather Loss
Many
birds show signs of feather loss in battery cages. Feather
pecking by other birds because of close confinement poses
one of the largest problems. A 2001 study found that feather
pecking is greatly reduced in chicks who have early access
to litter, regardless of later conditions.(27)
In the study, there was a significant reduction in both feather
pecking and feather damage in chicks who had access to litter
in the first two weeks of life. Because nearly all caged laying
hens spend their entire lives confined on metal flooring,
even selective breeding against pecking may have less of an
impact than access to litter. Feather pecking may also be
caused by exposure to long periods of light. Dr. Philip J.
Clauer warns that "constant light can be stressful to
the birds."(28)
Hens may also experience feather loss due to the thwarted desire to dustbathe,
as discussed earlier. Behavioral consequences, such as repeatedly throwing themselves
against the cage bars, can contribute to feather loss on the body of the hens.(29)
Research has also shown that feathers may not develop due to a deficiency in
the crucial amino acid methionine.(30)
Many
birds show signs of feather loss in battery cages. Feather
pecking by other birds because of close confinement poses
one of the largest problems. A 2001 study found that feather
pecking is greatly reduced in chicks who have early access
to litter, regardless of later conditions.(