Production performance of broiler breeders under cage versus floor housing systems

doi:10.12692/ijb/13.1.449-462

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The scientific literature on housing practices of broiler breeders in collective cages is very limited. A recent publication from Pakistan (Khan and Khan, 2018 ) compared the production performance of Hubbard breeders under a controlled environment housed in collective cages and under floor housing and detected higher performance (defined as better feed efficiency, better survival, more eggs, and more hatchlings) in the collective cages. They described the cage housing of Hubbard breeders as follows: ‘Hens were housed in Hot Dip Galvanized 3‐tier cages, measuring 658 cm 2 area per female bird (1,974 cm 2 area in total for 3 birds per cage), 1,645 cm 2 area per male bird and one male per cage’.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rearing broiler breeders in cages generally results in heavier and fatter pullets than those housed in floor systems (Purvis, 1978 ; Leeson and Summers, 1985 ) but Hubbard broiler hens in a floor system were heavier and consumed more feed than the hens kept in cages in the study by (Khan and Khan, 2018 ). All the birds of the study by (Khan and Khan, 2018 ) were raised in a floor system which can explain the different results to other studies that considered also rearing the birds in cages. The reasons why broiler breeder hens are usually heavier in cage systems include that they do less exercise in cages (Oscai et al., 1972 ) or reduced heat loss related to stocking density (DeShazer and Mather, 1981 ).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welfare of broilers on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: 'bone lesions', 'cold stress', 'gastro-enteric disorders', 'group stress', 'handling stress', 'heat stress', 'isolation stress', 'inability to perform comfort behaviour', 'inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour', 'inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour', 'locomotory disorders', 'prolonged hunger', 'prolonged thirst', 'predation stress', 'restriction of movement', 'resting problems', 'sensory under-and overstimulation', 'soft tissue and integument damage' and 'umbilical disorders'. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, 'total mortality', 'wounds', 'carcass condemnation' and 'footpad dermatitis' are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of broilers on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Effects of different mating strategies in broiler breeder during peak and postpeak phase on subsequent broiler performance

et al. 2020

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Two experimental trials on commercial broiler (Ross-308) were conducted to evaluate the carryover effect of artificial insemination ( AI ) in parent flock ( PF ) kept in cages ( C ), and on floor ( F ) in comparison to natural mating ( NM ) in floored PF. A total of 900 broiler chicks were obtained from 38-week-old PF (peak production), representing C, F, and NM evenly during first trial, whereas in second trial, similar number of chicks were obtained from same PF during postpeak phase (55 wk of age). Subsequent effects of AI and NM in PF were evaluated by bacteriology, posthatch mortality, growth performance, immune response, and carcass traits on experimental birds (broiler). Chicks being produced through NM exhibited significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) improved growth performance (feed conversion ratio, weight gain, European efficiency factor) along with the least ( P ≤ 0.05) posthatch mortality and prevalence of Escherichia coli , Salmonella Pullorum , and Mycoplasma gallisepticum . Moreover, the experimental chicks obtained from floored PF subjected to AI particularly during postpeak phase expressed the highest ( P ≤ 0.05) contamination of the said pathogens along with posthatch mortality. However, immune response against New Castle disease and infectious bronchitis vaccines and slaughtering parameters remained nonsignificant ( P > 0.05) among the 3 treatments under both trials. It is concluded that the best growth performance along with the least depletion and microbial load of concerned pathogens were being pertained by the experimental birds representing NM.

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