Development of mechanical and thermal nociceptive threshold testing devices in unrestrained birds (broiler chickens)

► We developed devices to measure birds' response thresholds to nociceptive stimuli. ► The apparatus gave reliable measurements for both mechanical and thermal stimuli. ► Individual birds showed repeatability across tests within sessions. ► The range was comparable with thresholds in dissected chicken nerve filament fibres. ► The method appears suitable for studying nociceptive processes in unrestrained birds.