Fast- and slower-growing broilers respond similarly to a reduction in stocking density with regard to gait, hock burn, skin lesions, cleanliness, and performance.

ABSTRACT: There is an increasing trend toward broiler production systems with higher welfare requirements. Breed and stocking density are considered key factors for broiler welfare that are often specified as criteria for such higher welfare systems. However, it remains unknown how slower-growing broilers respond to a reduction in stocking density with regard to their welfare and performance, and whether this response differs from fast-growing broilers. Therefore, we compared fast- (F) and slower-growing broilers (S) housed at 4 different stocking densities (24, 30, 36, and 42 kg/m², based on slaughter weight) and measured their welfare scores (i.e., gait, footpad dermatitis, hock burn, skin lesions and cleanliness), litter quality and performance. The experiment had a 2 × 4 factorial des

SUBMITTER: van der Eijk JAJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10070940 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature