Effects of different floor housing systems on the welfare of fast-growing broilers with an extended fattening period
This study was made to investigate the long-term effects of different floor housing systems on the welfare of fast-growing broilers. The experiment was performed on 210-day-old fast-growing hybrid male chickens with identical conditions until 47 days of age. Animal-based welfare parameters were...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | https://www.arch-anim-breed.net/61/9/2018/aab-61-9-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | This study was made to investigate the long-term effects of
different floor housing systems on the welfare of fast-growing
broilers. The experiment was performed on 210-day-old fast-growing
hybrid male chickens with identical conditions until 47 days of
age. Animal-based welfare parameters were measured to investigate
the welfare level in the group housed on deep litter, a litter and slat
system, and a slatted floor, with five replicates for each group. Results showed that the main welfare indicators in live birds, such breast dirtiness,
plumage score, footpad lesion, and hock burn lesion, were negatively
affected in broilers kept on conventional deep-litter floor
housing. But hemorrhage or lesion scores of the breast and shoulder of
broilers in slat floor housing were found to be significantly greater than
in conventional deep litter as a result of a heavy body weight at a greater slaughter age (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Pathologically, the prevalence of footpad and hock joint dermatitis was very high in the deep-litter housing
system. Femoral head necrosis was not observed in any floor
housing group. The results indicated that keeping broilers on a slat
flooring system is preferable for younger slaughter ages and for a lighter slaughter weight. When considering the relationship between
animal welfare and production economy, moving from one floor house
system to another floor housing system should be carefully weighted
in future decisions. Moreover, further investigations are needed in
order to examine the incidence of joint and bone problems with
muscle inflammation in heavier broilers in commercial conditions. |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |