Osservazioni sul comportamento dell'anatra Muschiata mantenuta in stretta clausura

The experiment describes the behaviour of Muscovy duck confined individually either in pens or in cages. Three ducks per treatment were used. Each pen also included the cage. Ducks, at first cycle of egg-laying, were randomly taken from animals raised in the open air. The area of the cages was 0.53 mq and that of the pens was 3.75mq. All the other experimental conditions were the same in single treatments. From July to October each female has been recorded for 68 h, half at the beginning half at the end of the period. Apparently ducks afjust themselves well to the cages, even if a female sometimes showed stereotype movements. More frequent "comfort" behaviours and a reduction of locomotory activity were observed. The genral activity of the animals on the floor was more varied and a better distribution of activities was observed during the day. The use of cages for ducks previously reared on the floor, does not determine evident behavioural changes, but egg-laying is affected.