Evaluation of platform enrichments in a commercial broiler house

• DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2022.100294
• Publication Date: 2022-08-31T10:21:02Z
• Authors: R. Lopez; S.L. Weimer; E.S. Balderama; K.J. Tarrant
• Keywords: Flock; Pyramid (geometry)

Consumer demand regarding standards of care, welfare, and production methods are increasingly important for livestock poultry producers. To meet consumer demands, the United States is on a path to increase levels welfare. Structures added environment act as welfare enrichments, but establishing scientific understanding their impact prior implementation in houses critical. Therefore, study into platform parameters needed it relates proportion use on-farm feasibility warranted. understand usage birds conventional broiler house, three replicates each 3 different wooden prototypes varying angles, heights, steps, were examined 2 flocks straight-run broilers had unrestricted access platforms entire grow out cycle. Platform counts evaluated at 5 timepoints daily, an adjusted was calculated. The pyramid designs highest when considering light dark hours, peaked all wk 2. Interestingly, elevated consistently larger proportions after compared other designs. Further, stayed consistent throughout growout period. increased size designs, ramp did not translate proportional usage, substantially weight. Based novel evaluation this indicated constructed between 0.10 0.18 m tall best fit conventional, high yielding strains.