A5033781460- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
NEIKER, the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development
2018-2023
Tecnalia
2018-2023
University of Guelph
2020-2022
Providing an increased variety of environmental enrichment options, with sufficient space to use them, could increase the behavioural expression positive affective states in production animals. The goal this study was investigate associations between number different options provided by commercial broiler chicken producers at stocking densities and indicators chickens. Thirty fast-growing flocks various numbers types (range: 0–4; e.g. compressed wood shavings bales, cardboard boxes, plastic...
To evaluate the utility of transect sampling for assessing animal welfare in large chicken flocks, we quantified relationships between environmental inputs, problems detected using sampling, and production outcomes. We hypothesised that inputs including complexity (i.e. number enrichment types provided), space allowance, underfloor heating (presence or absence), photoperiod regimen (18 h continuous vs 16 intermittent) would correspond to variations assessment findings, which predict...
The potential of the transect method was tested for early detection welfare problems associated with bird age and genetic line, litter quality, location. On-farm impairment its consequences on slaughter outcomes were evaluated to test method's predictive ability. A total 31 commercial Ross, Cobb, mixed RC broiler flocks at 3, 5, 6 wk age. Two observers 3 transects each, simultaneously in same house by detecting indicators including lame, immobile, sick, small, dirty, tail wounds, other...
Assessing commercial broiler chickens' welfare usually comes at the cost of reduced precision due to large flock sizes and required time commitments. The transect method for on-farm assessment is conducted by walking within delimited paths between feeder drinker lines house, referred as transects. This non-invasive detecting birds with signs impaired indicators, which include leg problems, sickness, body wounds, feather dirtiness. has been validated turkey flocks but not chickens sizes. aim...
Ground-dwelling species of birds, such as domestic chickens ( Gallus gallus domesticus ), experience difficulties sustaining flight due to high wing loading. This limited ability may be exacerbated by loss feathers that is prevalent among egg-laying chickens. Despite this, housed in aviary style systems need use access essential resources stacked vertical tiers. To understand the impact feather on chickens' elevated resources, we clipped primary and secondary for two hen strains...
Under commercial conditions, environmental provisions assumed to have an enriching effect on broiler chicken welfare may be offered infrequently and at limited locations, raising questions about their enrichment value. We hypothesized that, if broilers given access peat remembered as rewarding, they would subsequently quicker exploit fresh compared never previously exposed peat. observed 9 control flocks without previous exposure 18 from 1 week of age with variable regularity in locations....