Responses of domestic chicks to social loss and reunion

• Our hypothesis was that chicks separated from flock mates would initially exhibit ‘protest’ behavior characterized by active attempts to reinstate social contact, followed by a depressed state in which they would become quiet and lethargic, with depressive symptoms being more pronounced in females than males. • Using a 2x2 factorial design, 40 Lohmann Brown chicks were randomly assigned to the factor Social Experience: (1) stable group housing and (2) social loss, within Sex: (1) female and (2) male (n=10 chicks/treatment combination).