Effect of less intensive rearing conditions on litter characteristics, growth performance, carcase injuries and meat quality of broilers

Abstract

1. The objective was to compare the effect of two litter types (wheat straw and wood shavings) and two different rearing conditions (Treated and Control) on welfare indicators, broiler performance, carcase injuries, particularly hock and foot pad dermatitis (FPD), litter characteristics and meat quality. 2. Treated conditions were characterised by a low stocking density (11 birds/m(2)), short photoperiod (16 h light: 8 h dark) and a large amount of litter (3 to 4.5 kg/m(2), respectively, for wheat straw or wood shavings). Control conditions were a high stocking density (14 birds/m(2)), long photoperiod (23 h light:1 h dark) and small amount of litter (2.3 to 3 kg/m(2), respectively, for wheat straw or wood shavings). In addition, the effects of two widely used litter materials, wheat straw and wood shavings, were investigated. 3. The combined effects of lower stocking density, greater amount of litter material and a photoperiod similar to the natural one, reduced the occurrence of FPD in Treated groups keeping the FPD score under the European threshold. 4. Improved rearing conditions led to faster growth rate associated with inferior feed efficiency, whereas litter type exerted negligible effects on broiler performance. 5. Litter moisture content, nitrogen and ammonia released by the litter were lower in Treated groups than Control groups. The use of wood shavings resulted in lower moisture and nitrogen concentrations in the litter.

Exogenous administration of chronic corticosterone affects hepatic cholesterol metabolism in broiler chickens showing long or short tonic immobility

“…It is well known that broiler chickens are usually confront a multitude of stressors, including human handling disturbance and adverse housing environment (e.g., heat, cold, noise, crowding and wet litter). The responses against these stressors are associated with several serious welfare problems (Hocking et al, 2005;Meluzzi et al, 2008).…”

Effects of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) inclusion in diets for female broiler chickens: implications for animal health and gut histology

“…The majority of FPD scores obtained in the present trial was 546 zero and no differences were found in relation to TM meal 547 utilization. This is a positive result, since a low prevalence and 548 severity of FPD is highly desirable as far as health of birds and 549 product quality are concerned (Meluzzi et al, 2008). performance, carcass and meat traits.…”

Poultry litter of wood shavings and/or sugarcane bagasse: animal performance and bed quality

“…These lesions, also known as "ammonia burns", are caused by the combination of moisture and high ammonia content of the litter (Kjaer et al ., 2006). Knee dermatitis has been positively correlated with footpad dermatitis (Meluzzi et al ., 2008). Footpad and knee dermatitis are associated with high moisture and ammonia content.…”