Social Behavior and Husbandry of the Fowl – an essay

Abstract. Changing environments causes changes in the relative fitness of individuals. Understanding behaviors and how they relate to husbandry is necessary in the production of the fowl. Most behaviors that have adaptive significance are inherited in a polygenic manner and behaviorists should not be surprised at consistent differences among individuals in responses to environmental factors because fhere are good reasons for expecting them. Just as consideration is no longer given to the nervous and endocrine Systems as separate entities, internal and externa! factors must be considered in behaviors. Behavior research must consider not only the responses of the individual and the population, but also developmental aspects. An understanding of the processes involved and application of this knowledge should be of value in development of husbandry Systems not only for the fowl but for all of animal agriculture.