Effects of feather pecking and ingestion on intestinal microbiota and microbial metabolites in pullets and laying hens

Diese Dissertation enthält Journal-Beiträge, die in der gedruckten Version nicht enthalten sind. Die entsprechenden DOIs sind angegeben, so dass die Beiträge gegen Gebühr herunter geladen werden können. The aim of this study is to enlarge the knowledge about feather pecking by looking at this behavorial disorder from a new perspective. A better understanding of reason and impact in the animal itself was strived. The following topics were investigated: The effect of feather intake on the gut microbiota and its metabolism in pullets (Chapter 2) The amount and size of ingested feathers and feather parts respectively in laying hens belonging to a high (H) or low feather pecking line (L) (Chapter 3) The intestinal microbial metabolism in these laying hens (Chapter 3)