EFFECT OF STOCKING DENSITY ON THE BEHAVIOR OF GROWING LAYING HENS

Abstract

The study was conducted in August 2025 at the Poultry Research Facility of IFTO – Dianópolis Campus, with the objective of evaluating the effect of different stocking densities on the behavior of Rhode Island Red laying hens. A total of 80 birds were used, distributed in a randomized block design, with four stocking densities (2, 4, 6, and 8 birds m^-²) considered as treatments, with two replicates each. Behavioral assessment was performed using instantaneous sampling every 10 minutes on August 14, 21, and 28, totaling 36 hours of observation. The behaviors evaluated were eating, drinking, scratching, feather exploration, idleness, and sitting. No significant effect of the treatments was observed on the analyzed behaviors (P > 0.05), indicating that the birds adapted well to the tested conditions. The results demonstrate that, under adequate management and equitable access to resources, the evaluated stocking densities did not compromise the expression of natural behaviors or the behavioral welfare of the birds.