Forced to crowd or choosing to cluster? Spatial distribution indicates social attraction in broiler chickens

We investigated the response of commercially farmed broiler (meat) chickens to their social environment at five stocking densities, using spatial distribution and behaviour. We used a computer model in which a [`]social aversion/attraction’ parameter was set at different values to give simulations in which the chickens were averse, indifferent or positively attracted to each other. […]