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Conference abstract2016

Behaviour and health in two broiler hybrids with different growth rates

Wallenbeck, Anna; Jönsson, Lotta; Yngvesson, Jenny; Gunnarsson, Stefan

Abstract

Until recently, fast growing broiler hybrids have been used exclusively in both conventional and the scarce 0.1% organic broiler (OB) meat production in Sweden. The relatively long rearing period in OB production (>10 weeks) has resulted in impaired bird welfare e.g. hunger related behaviour, ascites and leg disorders in these fast growing hybrid birds. This study aimed to quantify differences in behaviour and health between a fast growing hybrid, Ross 308 (R), and a slower growing hybrid, Rowan Ranger (RR), that were reared for 10 weeks in a semi-organic production environment with organic feed and space allowances but without outdoor access. In the study, 218 R and 211 RR day old chicks were split into 20 groups with 10 replicates of each hybrid. Behavioural and clinical records were obtained at 2, 6 and 9 weeks of age, and mortality was recorded continuously. Behaviour was recorded through scan sampling and continuous observations. The day after the behavioural observations, a welfare assessment was performed according to the Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for Poultry. The results show that RR birds were more active than R birds as RR were standing more in week 6 (40.9±3.20% vs. 30.4±3.20%, LSM±SE; P<0.05) and 9 (28.1±3.71% vs. 14.2±3.71%, LSM±SE; P<0.05). Furthermore, RR were perching more than R in week 6 (8.9.x±1.51% vs. 2.6.x±1.51%, LSM±SE; P<0.05) and 9 (3.8±0.71% vs. 1.1±0.71%, LSM±SE; P<0.05). The R birds had more leg and feet problems than the RR birds, i.e. worse gait score in week 2, 6 and 9 (P<0.05), worse foot pad dermatitis score in week 6 and 9 (P<0.05) and worse hook burn score in week 9 (P<0.001). As a result of more severe leg problems, a higher proportion of the R compared to the RR birds were culled (9.7±1.83% vs. 3.3±1.83%, respectively, p<0.05). Both R and RR showed health problems at older ages, likely due to the increased body weight. However, our results imply that fast growing birds are poorly suited for a long rearing period (>10 weeks), whereas the slower growing RR birds seem better suited for the rearing periods stated by the organic regulations.

Published in

DCA rapport
2016, number: 070, pages: 25-25
Title: Nordic ISAE 2016. Proceedings of the 26th Nordic Regional Symposium of the International Society for Applied Ethology
ISBN: 978-87-93398-15-3
Publisher: DCA - Danish Centre for Food and Agriculture

Conference

The 26th Nordic Regional Symposium of the International Society for Applied Ethology - Nordic ISAE 2016