Understanding and regulating of molecular mechanism of problem behaviors in domesticated animals

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03102
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Shimmura Tsuyoshi 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 教授 (50707023)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ニワトリ / 行動 / 遺伝 / ロボット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was to clarify the molecular basis of cannibalism (Experiments 1 and 2) and to develop a robot-based system to manipulate chick behavior (Experiment 3). In Experiment 1, a population genome analysis of the whole genome sequencing information of military chickens was used to search for the genetic basis that controls the pattern of aggressive behavior. In Experiment 2, the frequency of feather pecking was evaluated using feather scores to find populations of commercial chickens that differ in the frequency of feather pecking, and a search for the genetic basis controlling feather pecking was conducted as in Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, we developed a robot equipped with elements important for imitating mother-offspring behavior and presented it to chickens, suggesting that changes in behavior and weight gain occur.

Free Research Field

システム行動生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

共喰いは、生産現場においても長年大きな課題であったものの、解決がなされていない課題であった。本研究は、その問題行動を遺伝学に加えて、環境要因により複合的・統合的な制御を試みたものであり、その社会的意義は一定の意義があったものと考えられる。