Time Budget of Thai Native Cocks (Gallus gallus domesticus) under Semi-Natural Conditions

Abstract

In order to ask sensible questions about the extent to which intensively kept chickens suffer through being deprived of the opportunity to perform natural behaviors, we need a baseline against which to compare behavior in intensive systems.  The aim of this study was to investigate time budgets and activity patterns of Thai native cocks during non-breeding (September-November) and breeding seasons (December-February) under semi-natural conditions.  From September 2015 to February 2016, a total of twelve mature Thai native cocks were chosen as focal animals.  All animals were selected from three mixed-age and -sex flocks, kept all year round in semi-natural enclosures.  The behavior of the cocks was individually recorded using scan and behavior sampling methods by two trained observers between 6.00 and 18.00 h for two consecutive days.  A time budget analysis showed that the cocks spent the majority of daytime resting (34%) following by walking (32%) and ground pecking (24%), respectively.  Daytime perching was performed independently in all cocks which averaged 15 minutes.  Dustbathing behavior showed a marked peak around mid-day from 11.00 to 13.00 h and on average birds performed one 4 min bout.  Cocks performed more crowing and mating behavior during the breeding season.  Overall, our results support the hypothesis that reproductive behavior of Thai native cocks increased abruptly during the breeding season similar to their wild ancestors.