Slow-growing broilers are healthier and express more behavioural indicators of positive welfare.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Rayner AC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7494998 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Slow-growing broilers are healthier and express more behavioural indicators of positive welfare.
Rayner Ann C AC Newberry Ruth C RC Vas Judit J Mullan Siobhan S
Scientific reports 20200916 1
Broiler chicken welfare is under increasing scrutiny due to welfare concerns regarding growth rate and stocking density. This farm-based study explored broiler welfare in four conditions representing commercial systems varying in breed and planned maximum stocking density: (1) Breed A, 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>; (2) Breed B, 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>; (3) Breed B, 34 kg/m<sup>2</sup>; (4) Breed C, 34 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. Breeds A and B were 'slow-growing' breeds (< 50 g/day), and Breed C was a widely used 'fas ...[more]
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