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Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the differences in stress-response between three groups of Red Junglefowl that has been selected for fear of humans.

Methods

Three groups of Red Junglefowl selected for low, intermediate and high fear of humans were used. The fowls had been selectively bred for six generations. The in ital population was put through a fear of humans test in order to determine further breeding.

For the study 22 males and 27 females for a total of 49 birds were used (Table. 1)

Table 1. Strain composition

Male 

Female

High           

Low           

Intermediate

High          

Low           

Intermediate

6

8

8

9

10

8

The fowls were placed in individual arenas that measured 1×1×2 m.  They were left in the arenas for 20h for habituation. For the experiments the fowls were recorded for 60 minutes before and 60 minutes after being placed in the net for 3 minutes. This results in  60 minutes before being placed in a net to get baseline behaviors. And also  60 minutes after being placed in a net to get stress-response.

The time spent performing any of 16 different behaviors were recorded before and after being placed in a net.

A Red Junglefowl sitting on top of its perch in the test arena were the experiment took place. View from straight ahead (left) and above (right)


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Last updated: 06/13/15