The integration of pecking into the Hunger System in Young chicks

Abstract

Pecking is not controlled by nutritional state in a newly hatched chick, but by 3 days posthatch it is. This paper reviews evidence showing that the experience of pecking followed by swallowing is both necessary and sufficient for pecking to become integrated into the hunger system. Sorne irnplications of these results for ideas concerning dic development of behavior systems are discussed, as are possible functions of such a mechanism of dcv¬eloprnent. It is concluded that the function of a behavior xnay not be related to its causes.