Assessing feather cover of laying hens by infrared thermography

Brown Leghorn hens ( n = 98) were assessed for feather cover using a feather scoring (FS) scale and by infrared thermography. Mean image temperature provided a real- time assessment of feather cover that was significantly related to FS. The closest approximation to FS was achieved by considering the area of the image within specific temperature ranges. The percentage of the image area within a temperature range of 17 to 24 degrees C was positively associated with feather cover, whereas the area within a temperature range of 28 to 31 degrees C was negatively associated with FS and indicative of a lack of cover ( bare skin). Infrared thermography provided a fast, objective, and accurate assessment of feather cover on a continuous variable.