Improving animal well-being through genetic selection

This paper reviews the possibilities of adapting laying hens to cages by me ans of genetic selection. By selecting separately for rate of lay and longe vity using a kin selection method, a strain of laying hen has been develope d that shows much less feather pecking and cannibalism than a control strai n, and with no decrease in productivity. This experimental strain enjoys hi gher level of welfare in cages because it does not require beak trimming.