Feed restriction and welfare in domestic birds.

Jong, I.C. de; Jones, Bernt

doi:10.1079/9781845930639.0120

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several studies have shown that feed restricted broiler breeders show behaviour indicative of frustration, boredom and hunger, including stereotypic object pecking, over-drinking and pacing (De Jong and Jones, 2006;D'eath et al, 2009). Stereotypic pecking is mainly observed after feeding, and may be directed at the litter, drinker, (empty) feeder, the walls of the pen or to other birds (Kostal et al, 1992;Savory and Kostal, 1996;De Jong et al, 2002;Hocking et al, 2002).…”

Section: Consequences Of Feed Restriction For Bird Welfare During Reamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To ensure health and reproductive capacity of the birds, broiler breeders are feed restricted during the rearing period (Mench, 2002), and, to a lesser extent, during the production period (De Jong and Jones, 2006). Although restricted feeding improves health and, hence, bird welfare, there is a problem in that the birds are chronically hungry and suffer from frustration of the feeding motivation which has a negative effect on bird welfare (e.g., De Jong et al, 2002;D'eath et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

Krimpen

Jong

2014

World's Poultry Science Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To ensure health and reproductive performance, broiler breeders are feed restricted during the rearing period and, to a lesser extent, during the production period. Although restricted feeding improves health and bird welfare, on the other hand the birds are chronically hungry and suffer from frustration of feeding motivation, which has a negative effect on bird welfare. The aim of the current paper is to give an overview of the role of feed (nutritional aspects as well as feeding management) as a possible tool to improve broiler breeder welfare. Possible strategies discussed are 1) dietary dilution, by reducing the energy content and/ or increasing the NSP content, by adding soluble or insoluble fibres to the diet; 2) adding appetite suppressants (e.g. calcium propionate) to the diet; 3) changing feeding management (e.g., scattering feed in the litter). Some of these strategies, i.e. dietary dilution or adding appetite suppressants, positively affect behavioural patterns of the birds, by reducing stereotypic pecking and eating motivation, and increasing the time spent sitting. Appetite suppressants have however been criticised for causing birds to feel ill. These behavioural changes, however, can only be considered as indirect parameters of improved bird welfare and there is still a need for a reliable indicator of hunger. It is clear that nutritional strategies can be helpful in reducing hunger stress in broiler breeders. Nutrition, however, cannot fully solve the broiler breeder paradox. The main reason for this paradox is related to breeding goals that are focussed on improving feed conversion and increasing breast meat percentage. Future genetic selection should aim at uncoupling the link between (re)production and welfare or reducing the conflict between these outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Consequences Of Feed Restriction For Bird Welfare During Reamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

Krimpen

Jong

2014

World's Poultry Science Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Modern broiler strains show a four times higher daily growth, while feed conversion ratio is less than half compared with strains in use 60 years ago (Zuidhof et al, with ad libitum feed intake can lead to a seven times lower mortality, improved egg quality, 1.5 times higher peak production and 20−25% higher egg production (Heck et al, 2004). On the other hand, numerous studies have shown that feed restricted broiler breeders show behavioural disorders (stereotypic object pecking, over-drinking, and pacing) that are indicative of frustration, boredom, and hunger (De Jong and Jones, 2006;D'eath et al, 2009). Stereotypic object pecking normally starts after feeding, and is mostly performed at the litter, drinkers, feeders, walls of the pen, or to flock mates (Kostal et al, 1992;Savory and Maros, 1993;Savory and Kostal, 1996;De Jong et al, 2002;Hocking et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Effects of different dietary protein levels during rearing and different dietary energy levels during lay on behaviour and feather cover in broiler breeder females

Emous

Kwakkel

Krimpen

et al. 2015

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…slower growing and dwarf breeds, are other alternatives to reduce the negative effects of feed restriction De Jong and Jones, 2006;Decuypere et al, 2006). slower growing and dwarf breeds, are other alternatives to reduce the negative effects of feed restriction De Jong and Jones, 2006;Decuypere et al, 2006).…”

Section: Alternatives To Conventional Feed Restrictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major welfare issues in broiler breeders

Jong

Guemene

2011

World's Poultry Science Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryUnder current practice, parent poultry breeding stock potentially face welfare problems. In the present review, broiler breeders are taken to illustrate welfare problems encountered at this stage of the production process. Intensive selection for production traits, especially growth rate, is associated with increased nutritious requirement and thus feed consumption, but also reproductive dysfunctions and decreased sexual activity in broiler breeders. A first resulting serious welfare problem is the subsequent severe feed restriction which is applied during rearing, in order to prevent health problems and to reach better egg production. This severe feed restriction has negative effects on bird welfare as it causes chronic stress resulting from hunger. Recent research focused on management practices to alleviate the negative effect of this feed restriction. Using both a more fibrous feed and an appetite suppressant seems thus far most successful. In many countries mutilations (beak trimming, despurring and toe clipping) are carried out in broiler breeders as a standard procedure to prevent excessive damage to the hens caused by mating. It has been reported that broiler breeder males show low libido but in the mean time aggressive and rough behavior during mating, which may cause these severe injuries to the hens. Others state that overmating causes injured hens. We suggest that probably both play a role. Current studies aim at developing management practices to reduce hen injury due to overmating and improving the sexual behavior in both males and females. In the last paragraph, we examine how breeding companies nowadays are taking welfare into consideration in their commercial selection scheme. In practice, although for example reduced mortality and some health criteria are included in selection programs, other welfare issues remain, such as the rearing environment used or the problem of feed restriction during rearing which remains, unless alternative breeds are used.

show abstract

Feed restriction and welfare in domestic birds.

Cited by 17 publications

References 0 publications

Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

Effects of different dietary protein levels during rearing and different dietary energy levels during lay on behaviour and feather cover in broiler breeder females

Major welfare issues in broiler breeders

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About