Evaluation of Free-Range broilers using the welfare quality® protocol

Sans, Eco; Federici, JF; Dahlke, Fabiano; Molento, Carla Forte Maiolino

doi:10.1590/1516-635x1603297-306

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Exposure to high ammonia levels (>10 ppm) is known to increase birds sensitivity to dust, while dust may irritate the respiratory tract, causing bronchitis ( David et al., 2015 ). In case of moderate-outdoor and outdoor-preferring Green-legged Partridges, their more frequent outdoor use is likely to minimize problems caused by dust and poor litter quality ( Sans et al., 2014 ). Sasso birds representing each of the ranging profiles were characterized by a higher occurrence of respiratory infections as compared to matching ranging profile of Green-legged Partridges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The FPD risk factor may relate to the indoor environment, namely contact with litter of poor quality causing bacteriological contamination ( Sarica et al., 2014 ). Another risk factor for FPD is the quality of the outdoor area, where presence of stones or high humidity may damage the skin, which may subsequently be infected with bacteria ( Sans et al., 2014 ). Furthermore, estimates of the heritability of FPD are known to be moderate, between 20 and 30% ( EFSA, 2010 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between welfare and ranging profile in free-range commercial and heritage meat-purpose chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

et al. 2020

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Despite consumers' belief that access to an outdoor range improves chicken welfare, still little is known about whether this is true and whether individual ranging profiles relate to the birds' welfare. The aim of the present study was to identify and compare welfare issues of the traditional broiler hybrid Sasso and the Polish heritage chicken Green-legged Partridge, having outdoor access, and examine if the birds' welfare status was associated with the ranging profile: outdoor-preferring, moderate-outdoor, and indoor-preferring. In August 2018, 60 non-beak trimmed birds per genetic strain were housed in groups of 10 from weeks 5 to 10, under conditions exceeding EU requirements of organic meat chicken production. Each pen had access to an individual outdoor range that was video-recorded continuously to obtain frequencies of individual birds' use of the ranges. Plumage condition, comb pecking wounds, skin injuries, dirtiness, toe damage, eye pathologies, footpad dermatitis, hock burns, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and walking difficulties were assessed at the end of the experiment. Statistical analysis was conducted applying generalized linear mixed models, with binomial distribution and logit link using SAS software, applying breed and ranging profile as fixed factors and their interaction, with pen as random factor. A tendency for more respiratory infections was observed in Sasso birds from each ranging profile, as compared to matching ranging profiles presented by Green-legged Partridges (outdoor-preferring: P = 0.0012; moderate-outdoor: P < 0.0001; and indoor-preferring: P = 0.0247). Indoor-preferring Green-legged Partridges tended to present more respiratory infections, as compared to the 2 other ranging profiles within the breed (outdoor-preferring: P = 0.0291; moderate-outdoor: P = 0.0448). Regardless of the breed, toe damages were more frequent in indoor-preferring birds, as compared to other ranging profiles ( P = 0.017). It remains unknown whether the use of outdoor areas prevents development of welfare issues or if birds with a suboptimal welfare condition become indoor-preferring individuals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between welfare and ranging profile in free-range commercial and heritage meat-purpose chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

et al. 2020

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“…Tuyttens et al showed that organic birds had better hock condition, leg health, and overall welfare than those in conventional production systems [30]. However, it was also reported that access to an outdoor area could influence the development of footpad dermatitis, which is probably explained by the fact that birds raised outside would be more likely to sustain foot injuries on the range that may cause skin damage [31,32]. It is difficult to compare these findings on the welfare status of broilers because of the very varying scoring systems, samples used, and the various rearing conditions of poultry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Husbandry Practices, Health, and Welfare Status of Organic Broilers in France

Souillard

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Experton

et al. 2019

Animals

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Organic poultry production has increased sharply with growing consumer demand in the context of sustainable development. A study was conducted in 85 organic broiler flocks between 2014 and 2015 to describe the husbandry practices and the health and welfare status of organic broilers in France, and to study farming diversity by comparing independent farms (Ind farms, n = 15) with direct sales to farms working with companies (Comp farms, n = 70). Each flock was visited at 3 and 11 weeks of age to collect data on farming conditions, health disorders, and mortality. Welfare notation of 30 broilers per flock and parasitic examination of 5 broilers per flock was also performed. Findings showed significantly different farming management between Ind farms and Comp farms, with smaller flocks on the Ind farms (476 broilers/house vs. 3062 broilers/house, p < 0.01) more frequently in mobile houses. The mean mortality rate was 2.8%, mainly involving digestive disorders. Helminths were detected in 58.8% of the flocks. On average, 21.9% and 5.8% of broilers in a flock had footpad dermatitis and dirty feathers, respectively. The health and welfare characteristics of organic broilers on Ind farms vs. Comp farms were not significantly different, except dirtier feathers and more footpad dermatitis on Ind farms (19.1% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.03 and 39.6% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.02, respectively), associated with poultry housing conditions in mobile houses (p < 0.01). This study provides greater insight into farming sustainability aspects related to the husbandry practices, and the health and welfare of organic broilers in France.

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“…Likewise, free-range broiler chickens raised in open fields can enjoy improvements in their physical activities and behavioral diversity ( El-Deek and El-Sabrout, 2019 ). Also, animal welfare assessment in free-range systems demonstrates better health and ambience, behavior and psychologic states, less pododermatitis and lameness, an absence of panting, increasing wing-flapping, and prevalence of positive emotional states ( Sans et al, 2014 ). Chickens have been genetically selected for outdoor systems using the so-called “slow growth” lines, which automatically confer higher production costs for the fundamental characteristic of these animals: They grow slower.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%