Lauren Dawson

Dr. Lauren Dawson

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 August 2021 in Poultry Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
TWTina M. Widowski
Tina M. Widowski
ZLZhenzhen Liu
Zhenzhen Liu
AEA. Michelle Edwards
A. Michelle Edwards
STStephanie Torrey
Stephanie Torrey
Selection for rapid growth has produced heavier, more efficient broiler chickens, but has also introduced health and welfare issues, which may cause or be caused by inactivity. Rapid growth may also limit the performance of motivated behaviors, whereas the provision of enrichment may increase these behaviors and general activity. This study aimed to evaluate the inactivity, behavior patterns, and enrichment use of 2 fast- (CONV) and 12 slower growing broiler strains (categorized as fastest [FAST], moderate [MOD], and slowest slow [SLOW]), based on their growth rates; 4 strains/category]. To evaluate inactivity, one male and one female from 153 pens were outfitted with omni-directional accelerometers from d 21 until processing (14–24 birds/strain from 8 to 12 pens/strain). Additionally, to supplement inactivity data, 5-min continuous behavioral observations of four focal birds per pen (2 males, 2 females) were conducted on days 26, 42, and 56 (72–148 observations of 8–12 pens/strain) to quantify the duration and frequency of various behaviors; at the same time, 5 to 11 instantaneous scan samples were also performed for pen-based enrichment use. Inactivity peaked at 78 to 80% of the day for all strains; however, those with slower growth rates reached these levels at older ages. Compared to slower growing strains at the same age, faster growing strains were more inactive, spent more time sitting and feeding, spent less time standing and walking, and used enrichments less; these differences mostly occurred at younger ages. Generally, at the same age, strains with similar growth rates (within the same category) behaved similarly, with only a few exceptions. Results suggest that not all strains identified as “slow-growing” broilers behave differently from fast-growing broilers, nor do they all behave similarly to each other. As such, results suggest that improved broiler welfare, particularly with respect to reduced inactivity, the performance of a wider range of normal, motivated behaviors, and/or increased enrichment use, is related to the broiler strain's specific growth rate.

1 April 2018 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
CDCate E. Dewey
Cate E. Dewey
ESElizabeth A. Stone
Elizabeth A. Stone
MGMichele T. Guerin
Michele T. Guerin
LNLee Niel
Lee Niel

1 July 2013 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MBMisha Buob
Misha Buob
RMRebecca Meagher
Rebecca Meagher
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
RPRupert Palme
Rupert Palme
DHDerek Haley
Derek Haley
GMGeorgia Mason
Georgia Mason

1 July 2013 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
MBMisha Buob
Misha Buob
DHDerek Haley
Derek Haley
SMSteve Miller
Steve Miller
JSJudy Stryker
Judy Stryker
GMGeorgia Mason
Georgia Mason

1 October 2017
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
CDCate E Dewey
Cate E Dewey
ESElizabeth A Stone
Elizabeth A Stone
CMCornelia I Mosley
Cornelia I Mosley
MGMichele T Guerin
Michele T Guerin
LNLee Niel
Lee Niel

6 April 2022 in Developmental Psychobiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LDLauren Dawson
Lauren Dawson
RMRebecca Meagher
Rebecca Meagher
JAJamie Ahloy‐Dallaire
Jamie Ahloy‐Dallaire
GMGeorgia Mason
Georgia Mason