The aim of this project is to investigate whether a gentling program for broiler chickens can reduce their fear of humans and their general anxiety and thus improve animal health and welfare.

In three fattening periods, two out of four groups receive a three-day gentling program in the first days of life and two remain ungentled as a control group and receive only minimal and necessary contact with humans.

To study the effect of the gentling program, various tests and examinations are done. Four different behavioral tests are carried out three times during the fattening period to assess the animals' general anxiety as well as their fear of humans. Since the light intensity on the one hand and the ability to walk on the other hand can have an influence on the animals' behavior, these influencing factors are also recorded.

At the end of the fattening period, we perform a test to assess the animals' fear of human handling. The advantage is that this test, unlike the others, is not based on the animals' ability to walk. The test handling consists of catching, carrying, petting, ringing and blood collection. In addition to the behavior during handling, corticosterone and the H:L ratio are determined from the blood as a short-term stress parameter.

Once a week, the behavior of the animals is recorded on video. The behavior of the animals in everyday life is observed, especially with regard to comfort, exploration, social behavior and activity.

As a parameter of animal health, the weight of the animals is recorded weekly and, in the second half of the fattening period, skin scratches, as the latter often occurs in association with fear behavior. Finally, examinations considering transport injuries and bone strength are done.

As a long-term stress parameter, feather samples are taken at the slaughterhouse for corticosterone determination and the pH value of the meat is measured.