The aim of this study was to explore lameness and the associations between health/production measures animal welfare in commercial broiler production, using Welfare Quality® protocol for broilers. A total 50 flocks were included sample farm visits conducted scoring at a mean age 28.9 days. percentage animals (n=7500) six different gait score (GS) categories GS0: 2.53%, GS1: 44.19%, GS2: 33.84%, GS3: 16.32%, GS4: 2.36% GS5: 0.53%. Production other data collected each flock after slaughter....

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects commercially applied environmental enrichments on behavior and lameness in broilers. Two consecutive flocks broilers were observed at 16 days 30 age differences between enriched (peat, bales lucerne hay, elevated platforms) control birds with regards behavioral activities lameness. More running (p < .001), worm = .006), play fighting .015), dust bathing .009), ground pecking while standing .001) than days. Across both ages, showed...

Lameness and impaired walking ability in rapidly growing meat-type broiler chickens are major welfare issues that cause economic losses. This study analyzed the prevalence of its associations with production data, abattoir registrations, postmortem tibia measurements Norwegian chickens. Gait score (GS) was used to assess 59 different commercial flocks (Ross 308) close slaughter d, 5,900 broilers total, 3 geographical regions. In each flock, 100 arbitrary were gait scored 10 random culled...

The keel bone in laying hens is prone to fractures, especially on the caudal third of keel, which also last part ossify. Keel fractures (KBF) typically occur between 25 and 50 weeks age (WOA). However, fully ossified at around 40 WOA, suggesting can before ossification complete. To better understand relationship KBF ossification, this descriptive study examined morphology during maturation. bones from commercial aviary housed Dekalb White were collected 10 timepoints 17–53 WOA prepared for...

Feather pecking is a multi-factorial behavioral disorder and serious welfare issue in the poultry industry. Several studies report early life experience with litter to be major determinant development of feather pecking. The current study aimed test large-scale on-farm efficiency simple cheap husbandry procedure applied during rearing period ultimate goal reducing incidence plumage damage production stage laying hens. Five hen-rearing farmers from across Norway participated study. These were...

Broiler mortality during transport to abattoirs (dead-on-arrival/DOA) evokes concern due compromised animal welfare and associated economic losses. The general aim of this study was characterize pathological lesions with in broilers close slaughter. specific investigate whether disease at the end growth period may be a predisposing factor for DOA by describing comparing findings dead-on-farm (DOF) final days production cycle from same flocks. Gross post-mortem examinations were performed on...

Abstract Experimental studies concluded that genetic factors enabling fast growth rate might negatively affect broiler health and welfare. Recently, the proportion of slower-growing broilers has been increasing. However, in with different rates commercial systems are still scarce. This repeated cross-sectional study aimed to describe causes carcass condemnations two hybrids rates, Ross 308, Hubbard JA787, estimate effect hybrid. The sample consisted 63,209,415 slaughtered 4295 batches from...

In the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for broilers, touch test is included to assess human-animal relationship in flock. The designed measure animals' fear of humans, assuming that broilers will withdraw from observer if they are fearful. However, many close slaughter age have impaired walking ability, and results may thus be biased by lameness poor leg health. As currently being used several countries there an urgent need examine this potential a further validation test. present...

In poultry flocks, flock weight uniformity is often defined as the percent individuals within 10% of mean body (BW) and variability this can be expressed CV BW. Flock a standardized objective measured, could potentially used welfare indicator; however, little known about relationship between other production measures on-farm or at slaughter. The aim study was to investigate associations carcass (CV BW) slaughter in Norwegian commercial broiler flocks. A total 45 randomly selected mixed-sex...

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early rearing conditions on physiological, haematological and immunological responses relevant adaptation long-term stress in white Leghorn hens with intact beaks housed furnished cages (FC) or conventional (CC) during laying period. Pullets were cage reared (CR) litter floor (FR). From 16 76 weeks age, FC (eight per cage) CC (three cage). As measures at end period, adrenal reactivity quantified by assessing corticosterone...

To ensure reproductivity and prevent obesity, broiler breeder's growth rate is controlled by quantitative feed restriction. However, restriction associated with chronic hunger, frustration, abnormal behaviors, thus representing a welfare problem. Feed diluted insoluble fiber an alternative, allowing larger amounts of more gut filling, increasing satiety without the caloric intake. Previous research on dilution has focused pullets not cockerels. In addition, health effects are less explored....