Effect of an automated marking system on aggressive behavior of precision-fed broiler breeder chicks

Precision feeding (PF) technology has been developed to feed individual broiler breeders based on real time BW. Precision-fed broiler breeder chicks undergo training up to 21 D of age to learn how to eat from the PF stations. Training is crucial to achieve high flock uniformity and successful growth from a young age. An automated marking system (AMS) prototype has been integrated into a PF station to identify chicks that require training from those that have successfully learned to eat from the stations: chicks marked with dye have successfully visited and eaten from the feeder, whereas chicks with no or little dye are late adopters that require training. Before implementing the AMS on a larger scale, it was necessary to determine if dye markings from the AMS promoted aggressive behaviors among chicks. In the present study, the dye markings promoted aggressive pecks at 26 D of age; however, this is beyond the time the AMS is required as an identification method in a PF system.