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Journal of Experimental Biology 72,229-250 (1978)
Published by Company of Biologists 1978

Respiratory Mechanics of Sound Production in Chickens and Geese

J. H. BRACKENBURY ¹

¹ Sub-Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QS

1. Air flow, air sac pressure and tracheal pressure were measured in chickens and geese during a variety of different vocal and non-vocal activities.

2. Air flow and air sac pressure may rise to 500 ml s^-1 and 60 cmH₂O (6 10³ N/m²) respectively during a crow in the chicken. During a sequence of honks in the goose the corresponding values are 650 ml s^-1 and 25 cmH₂O(2.5 x 10 ³ N/m²) respectively.

3. The volume of air delivered through the respiratory system during a single crow is more than 400 ml, almost equivalent to the total volume of the lung air sac system.

4. The efficiency of the chicken syrinx as a sound producing instrument, estimated by comparing the sound energy radiated with the energy consumed in the expulsion of air during a crow, appears to be less than 2 %.

5. Cutting the paired sternotrachealis muscles had no effect on vocalization.

6. The measured rates of clucking, cheeping and honking in adult chickens, young chicks and adult geese respectively are comparable to the characteristic rates of panting in these animals. This points to a similarity in the nature of the respiratory movements involved in each case.

7. Simultaneous measurement of tracheal flow and pressure indicate that the glottis is capable of controlling air flow over a wide range of values in the presence of high pressures. During defaecation the valve is closed whilst during coughing it is wide open.