Poultry Feathers and Skin

Book excerpt: This book contains chapters that discuss the natural engineering and multifunctionality of feathers, embryonic development of the avian integument, the reasons and welfare implications of feather pecking in laying hens, genetic solutions to reduce injurious pecking in laying hens, evidence-based management of injurious pecking, contact dermatitis in domestic poultry, the poultry integument in health and disease, genetics of feather pigmentation and chicken plumage colouration, genetics and breeding aspects of feather coverage and their effects on performance in broilers, the genetics of contact dermatitis in poultry, effects of nutritional interventions on feathering of poultry, effect of nutrition on gut health and maintenance and its impact on the integument integrity, management practices to prevent abnormal feather loss in broiler breeders and business opportunities with the integument. This book is intended for both the poultry industry and for researchers in animal science and welfare at undergraduate and graduate levels.