Slow-growing male chickens fit poultry production systems with outdoor access

Evaris, Esther Faustin; Sarmiento‐Franco, Luis; Sandoval-Castro, C.A.

doi:10.1017/s0043933919000400

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…The match of the selected hybrid, and the environment given for production (here outdoor access) is important to prevent group stress (Evaris et al., 2019). As for the floor housing with covered veranda, large accessible popholes, sufficient resources in terms of food and water supply as well as retreats (no dead ends) will allow birds to avoid each other (Tahamtani et al., 2018b; Baxter et al., 2020).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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%

Welfare of broilers on farm

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2023

EFS2

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“…Several authors investigated the genetic ability of chickens to utilize open air for movement and pasturing [ 17 , 84 , 88 , 90 , 91 , 94 , 95 , 96 ], underlining the differences that the activity of genotypes brought to different welfare and meat traits. Meat from pasture-raised chickens may present nutritional benefits, such as flavor, and contribute to positive sensory attributes of meat [ 97 ].…”

Section: Methodology Of the Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptability Challenges for Organic Broiler Chickens: A Commentary

Amato¹,

Castellini

2022

Animals

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As organic and conventional poultry production increased in the last decade, so did consumers’ concerns, sustainability requirements, and animal welfare as well as health issues. According to Reg. EU 848/2008 on organic production, poultry must be adapted to organic outdoor systems and cope with all the regulatory constraints in terms of nutrition, health, and welfare. Adaptability must take into account the above challenges, constraints, and concerns. Chicken adaptability should not only mean being able to use pasture and outdoor areas, but also mean being able to overcome, or be resilient to, the challenges of organic farming without compromising welfare, performance, and product quality. This commentary identifies solutions to the new challenges that organic poultry chains must face in future productive scenarios, detects consumer viewpoints to provide a perspective on organic poultry production, and summarizes as well as defines chicken adaptability to organic production, assessing the main factors of chicken adaptability.

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“…Tibial bone is the one the most mineralized skeletal bone in chickens, so it represents a good indicator of overall skeletal mineralization (Applegate and Lilburn, 2002). Also, important features are total bone mineral and ash contents in bones and indicate hardness and strength (Faustin, Sarmiento and Sandoval, 2019;Sanchez-Rodriguez et al, 2019), specifically calcium and phosphorus contents (Shim et al, 2012). In this experiment, similar percentages of ash content in fastgrowing chickens either with and without outdoor access was found, similar values were found by Shim et al (2012) in slow-and fast-growing strains.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Outdoor Access on Ethological Behavior, Health and Performance of Broilers in the Tropical Mexican Conditions

Urtecho-Novelo

Sarmiento‐Franco

Cordero

et al. 2021

Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst

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Background. There is a concern among poultry meat consumers due to broiler conditions during rearing period in commercial production systems. Consumers trust the organic and free-range poultry production systems because they suppose are more suitable and natural, giving high nutritive value and low-fat content to the meat, improving also the chicken welfare. Objetive. Two studies evaluated the effect of an outdoor access on ethological behavior, health indicators and productive performance of Hubbard broilers in the rearing period. Methodology. The first experiment evaluated outdoor access system in spring (april to may), and the second one was implemented in summer (june to august). In both studies included two groups: a) chickens with outdoot access (OA) and b) chickens at indoor rearing only (WOA). In the first experiment, ethological behaviors (EB) were described; forage intake (Fo), feed intake (FI), live weight gain (LWG) and carcass characteristics (Cc) were measured, blood components (BC), total immunoglobulins (Ig) and parasite eggs counts in excreta (Pc) were also determined, besides microscopic gut lesions in chickens (ML) were evaluated. In the second experiment, live weight gain (LWG), feed intake (FI) and forage intake (Fo) were measured, also carcass characteristics (Cc) were determinated. Analysis of variance by one way ANOVA was performed. Results. In first experiment, it was found that OA and WOA chickens stayed the most time resting. However, inside and outside, moving and foraging behaviors were observed in OA, while in WOA treatment foraging of chickens was the less frequent conduct. WOA showed higher final live weight and FI, but there were no differences in LWG and feed conversion in comparison with OA. Gizzard and caeca weights were heavier in OA treatment. No differences in both carcass yield and abdominal fat were found. At the last two weeks of age the forage intake amount per bird was 1.93 + 0.97 g and 2.06 + 0.87 g of DM/d of Leucaena leucocephala and Pennisetum purpureum, respectively. OA chickens had fewer leukocytes number (lymphocytes, eosinophils) and total inmmunoglobulins, but more heterophils and blood hemoglobulin. No differences between treatments in Eimeria oocysts in excreta were found. However, higher distribution and severity in microscopic gut lesions in birds WAO treatment were found. While in second experiment it was found that both OA and WAO broilers had similar final weight, feed intake, carcass yield and abdominal fat, but OA chickens had a trend to be higher in both weight gain and better feed convertion. Likewise, AO and WAO broilers had similar tibial ash content. Also, AO broilers consumed 0.50 + 0.36; 0.49 + 0.50 and 0.60 + 0.32 g of DM/d of Leucaena leucocephala, Brosimum alicastrum and Moringa oleifera, respectivily. Implications. It is basic to have the knowledge regarding poultry production with outdoor access in tropical conditions. Conclusions. Outdoor access stimulated natural behaviours expression and did not affect productive performance. Also, AO did not produce hematological changes or severe microscopic lesions.

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Slow-growing male chickens fit poultry production systems with outdoor access

Cited by 15 publications

References 80 publications

Welfare of broilers on farm

Welfare of broilers on farm

Adaptability Challenges for Organic Broiler Chickens: A Commentary

Effect of Outdoor Access on Ethological Behavior, Health and Performance of Broilers in the Tropical Mexican Conditions

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