Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

Abstract

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.

Growth and carcass production responses of EPMp broiler ducks to various levels of crude fiber and protein in the diet

“…Van Krimpen & De Jong (2014) melaporkan bahwa selain kandungan serat kasar faktor penting lainnya untuk kecernaan pakan adalah sumber serat yang digunakan, sifat karakteristik pakan dan status fisiologis sistem pencernaan ternak itu sendiri. Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan daya cerna pakan berserat tinggi adalah penambahan Huruf superscript yang berbeda pada setiap kolom menunjukkan perbedaan yang sangat nyata (P<0,01); SE = Standard error * g/ekor enzim dalam pakan (González-Alvarado et al 2007.…”

Effects of raw propolis or water and ethanol extracts of propolis on performance, immune system, and some blood parameters of broiler breeders

“…Therefore, there is a close relationship between the continuity of productive and profitable production and the comfort and immune system of the animal during the growing and pullet periods. Some strategies, such as decreasing the energy content or dilution of the diet (Van Krimpen et al, 2009) and declining of voluntary feed intake (Van Krimpen and De Jong, 2014) are applied to improve animal comfort or to reduce stress. Recently, the use of diets supplemented with feed additives assumed to boost the immune system and improve comfort is investigated as another application in broiler breeder nutrition.…”

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

“…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). To prevent over-drinking, also water intake is often restricted in practice (Van Krimpen and De Jong, 2014). Pacing is mainly observed before feed is provided to the birds (Savory and Maros, 1993).…”