Received: 07-08-2021
Accepted: 29-10-2021
DOI:
Views
Downloads
How to Cite:
Effects of Housing Systems and Crossbreeds on some Welfare Parameters of Broiler Chickens
,
Nguyen Thi Xuan
1
Keywords
Free-range system, Perch, Broiler chicken welfare, Broiler chicken behaviour
Abstract
This study aimed to identify effects of two housing systems and two crossbreeds on welfare quality of broiler chickens. A total of 132 (Ho ×Luong Phuong) chickens and 146 (Choi ×Luong Phuong) chickens were assigned into 4 treatments with 3 replicates by the completely randomized design method, including: Group 1 (Ho ×Luong Phuong chickens kept in outdoor access system with perches provision); Group 2 (Choi ×Luong Phuong chickens kept in the outdoor access system with perches provision); Group 3 (Ho ×Luong Phuong chicken housed indoor without perches); Goup 4 (Choi ×Luong Phuong chickens housed indoor without perches). Welfare parameters related to chickens’ health and behaviours were observed directly by naked eyes and scored according to Welfare Quality (2009) protocol. The outdoor access system with perches provision improved the welfare quality in term of food pad dematitis and plumage cleanness (P<0.05), and stimulated chickens to perform natural behaviours (30-45% ranging outdoor areas, 30-50% roosting on perches at night at 9-13 weeks of age), but no significant difference in the aggressive behaviour was detected. There was no significant effects of crossbreeds on welfare quality of chickens. Producers should adopt the outdoor access system if the ranging areas are available and provide broiler chickens with perches to improve their welfare quality.
References
Averós X. & Estevez I. (2018). Meta-analysis of the effects of intensive rearing environments on the performance and welfare of broiler chickens. Poultry science.97(11): 3767-3785.
Bokkers E.A.M. & Koene P. (2003). Behaviour of fast- and slow growing broilers to 12 weeks of age and the physical consequences. Applied animal behaviour science.81(1): 59-72.
Compassion in world farming (2021). Chickens farmed for meat[Online]. UK: Compassion in world farming. Retrieved from https://www.ciwf.org. uk/farm-animals/chickens/meat-chickens/ on 26 February 2021.
Farm Animal Welfare Council (1979). Farm Animal Welfare Council Press Statement. In:Council, F. a. W. (ed.). British Government.
Graml C., Waiblinger S. & Niebuhr K (2008). Validation of tests for on-farm assessment of the hen–human relationship in non-cage systems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.111(3): 301-310.
Hanh H.Q., Nguyen Thi X. & Vu Dinh T. (2019). Integration of animal welfare into assessment of broiler chicken production systems toward sustainable development in Vietnam. Livestock Research for Rural Development.31(5): Article #66. Retrieved August 9, 2021, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd31/5/hqhan31066.html.
Hartcher K. M. & Lum H. K. (2020). Genetic selection of broilers and welfare consequences: a review. World's poultry science journal.76(1): 154-167.
Havenstein G.B., Ferket P.R. & Qureshi M.A. (2003). Growth, livability, and feed conversion of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry science.82(10): 1500-1508.
Jones T.A., Stamp Dawkins M. & Donnelly C.A. (2004). Chicken welfare is influenced more by housing conditions than by stocking density. Nature.427(6972): 342-344.
Kaukonen E., Norring M. & Valros A. (2017). Evaluating the effects of bedding materials and elevated platforms on contact dermatitis and plumage cleanliness of commercial broilers and on litter condition in broiler houses. British poultry science.58(5): 480-489.
Kiyma Z., Küçükyýlmaz K. & Orojpour A. (2016). Effects of perch availability on performance, carcass characteristics, and footpad lesions in broilers. Archiv für Tierzucht.59(1): 19-25.
Le Van N.F., Estevez I. & Stricklin W.R. (2000). Use of horizontal and angled perches by broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.65(4): 349-365.
Norring M., Kaukonen E. & Valros A. (2016). The use of perches and platforms by broiler chickens. Applied animal behaviour science.184(Journal Article): 91-96.
Nguyễn Công Oánh, Hán Quang Hạnh, Nguyễn Đình Tiến, Nguyễn Thị Phương & Vũ Đình Tôn (2020). Ảnh hưởng của đệm lót chuồng lên men vi sinh vật và giàn đậu đến một số chỉ tiêu phúc lợi động vật và khả năng sinh trưởng của gà thịt lông màu. Tạp chí Khoa học Nông nghiệp Việt Nam.18(10): 839-846.
Nguyễn Thị Phương, Nguyễn Đình Tiến, Hán Quang Hạnh & Vũ Đình Tôn (2020). Tình hình chăn nuôi và thực trạng phúc lợi động vật của gà tại tỉnh Hải Dương. Tạp chí Khoa học Kỹ thuật Chăn nuôi. 255(3): 79-85.
Robins A. & Phillips C.J.C. (2011). International approaches to the welfare of meat chickens. World's Poultry Science Journal. 67(2): 351-369.
Rodriguez-Aurrekoetxea A., Leone E.H. & Estevez I. (2014). Environmental complexity and use of space in slow growing free range chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.161(Journal Article): 86-94.
Stadig L.M., Rodenburg T.B., Ampe B., Reubens B. & Tuyttens F.A.M. (2017). Effect of free-range access, shelter type and weather conditions on free-range use and welfare of slow-growing broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.192(Journal Article): 15-23.
Trung tâm Nghiên cứu gia cầm Thụy Phương (2004). Kỹ thuật chăn nuôi và phòng bệnh cho gà. Hà Nội, Viện Chăn nuôi.
Ventura B.A., Siewerdt F. & Estevez I. (2010). Effects of barrier perches and density on broiler leg health, fear, and performance. Poultry science.89(8): 1574-1583.
Ventura B.A., Siewerdt F. & Estevez I. (2012). Access to barrier perches improves behavior repertoire in broilers. PloS one.7(1): e29826-e29826.
Welfare Quality (2009). Welfare Quality assessment protocol for poultry (broilers, laying hens). In:Welfare Quality Consortium (ed.). Lelystad, Netherlands.
Zuidhof M.J., Schneider B.L., Carney V.L., Korver D.R. & Robinson F.E. (2014). Growth, efficiency, and yield of commercial broilers from 1957, 1978, and 2005. Poultry science.93(12): 2970-2982.