Supplemental data for: Relative preference for pecking blocks and its association with keel status and eggshell quality in laying hens housed in enriched cages

The files submitted here contains data collected for the thesis titled "Relative preference for pecking blocks and its association with keel status and eggshell quality in laying hens housed in enriched cages." The purpose of this research was to determine pecking block preferences of White and Brown feathered laying hens strains, and if there is a time of day effect on pecking block use. We then investigated the association between pecking block preference, pecking block use, keel status, and eggshell quality.

We also investigated if laying hens are consistent in their pecking block preference over time. Data on weekly pecking block disappearance, number of hens using pecking blocks across the day, eggshell quality and keel status in focal birds were also assessed. Data was analyzed using SAS Proc GLIMMIX, and consistency data was analyzed using SAS Proc Freq.