Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Poultry Science

Advisor/Mentor

Weimer, Shawna

Committee Member

Weimer, Shawna

Second Committee Member

Parsons, Benjamin

Third Committee Member

Graham, Danielle

Abstract

Commercial turkey production contributes significantly to the U.S. agricultural industry, yet studies on positive welfare indicators, especially play behavior, are limited. This study evaluated turkey hen interactions with two environmental enrichments (straw bales and pecking stones hung from the ceiling) and the expression of play behavior in turkey barns. Three commercial turkey hen barns were equipped with environmental enrichments and time-lapse video cameras. Play behaviors were recorded during transect walks in two barns using 30-second scans of disturbed and undisturbed patches. Regional use of space around enrichments was quantified through region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of time-lapse images collected from days 16-31 of age. Play behaviors during transect walks were infrequent, but raw data showed patterns. Hens in disturbed transects exhibited more individual running, group running, and wing flapping. Play behaviors were more frequent in areas without enrichment. In the enrichment ROI analysis, hens preferred the straw bale, with a greater number (p< 0.003) and percentage (p=0.0002) of hens occupying the outer zone around the straw bale (19.6 hens, 62.7%) compared to the pecking stone (17.5 hens, 59.6%). Barn-level differences were also observed. Barn 1 consistently had the most hens in both ROI zones and more total play behavior (32.2 hens, 109 observed play behaviors) than in Barn 2 (27.7 hens, 39 observed play behaviors). Engagement with enrichments generally declined over time but remained consistent throughout the 16-day observation period enough to suggest ongoing relevance beyond initial novelty. Overall, straw bales and pecking stones were effective enrichments that maintained bird engagement over time. In conclusion, the environmental enrichments in this study appeared to influence space use and may have contributed to conditions that support locomotory play behavior.

Keywords

Turkey; welfare; enrichment; behavior

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