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