Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T14:35:22.099Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Key health and welfare indicators for broiler production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2007

L. MANNING ,
S.A. CHADD  and
R.N. BAINES
L. MANNING*
Affiliation:
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, United Kingdom
S.A. CHADD
Affiliation:
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, United Kingdom
R.N. BAINES
Affiliation:
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, United Kingdom
*
*Corresponding author: l.manning@btinternet.com
Get access

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to identify measurable indicators, which can firstly provide objective measures of bird welfare and secondly act as ”lead” rather than “lag” indicators. Broiler welfare has historically been measured using lag indicators such as final mortality, stocking density, levels of contact dermatitis, reject levels and leg health. Although there are benefits to their use as indicators, the main disadvantage of these measures is that whilst they provide data for interorganisational and inter-growing cycle analysis the welfare issues have already occurred for the birds concerned and the information can only effect change in future production cycles. Alternatively, lead indicators are intra-cycle indicators which will provide information on bird welfare so that preventive/corrective action can be taken within the growing cycle. These indicators include feed and water consumption, air and litter quality and daily weight gain. It has been established that water is a vital nutrient that should be routinely analysed to ensure that it complies with accepted quality standards so that bird health and welfare is optimised. Furthermore water consumption, (both daily and per cycle) is a key indicator of bird welfare and worthy of further quantitative study to determine if it can be used as a headline “lead” indicator to determine health and welfare issues early in the growing cycle so that appropriate management action can be taken.

Keywords

welfare indicatorsbroilerbird healthwater consumption
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 63 , Issue 1 , March 2007 , pp. 46 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ACP (2006) Assured Chicken Production Standards 2005–2006. ACP.Google Scholar
ALGERS, B. and BERG, C. (2001) Monitoring Animal Welfare on Commercial Broiler Farms in Sweden. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A. Animal Science Supplementum 39:80–92.Google Scholar
ALGERS, B. and SVENBERG, J. (1989) Effects of atmospheric ammonia and litter status on broiler health. Proceedings 3rd European Symposium On Poultry Welfare, Tours, p237–241.Google Scholar
ANDERSON, A. and MCADAM, R. (2004) A critique of benchmarking and performance measurement. Benchmarking: An International Journal Vol. 11 No. 5, 2004, pp. 465–483.Google Scholar
BARNES, D.M., KIRBY, Y.K. and OLIVER, K.G. (2001) Effects of biogenic amines on growth and the incidence of proventicular lesions in broiler chickens. Poultry Science 80: 906–911.Google Scholar
BARNES, E.M., IMPEY, C.S. and COOPER, D.M. (1980) Manipulation of the crop and intestinal flora of the newly hatched chick. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 33: 2426–2433.Google Scholar
BARTON, T.L., HILEMAN, L.H. and NELSON, T.S. (1986) A survey of water quality on Arkansas broiler farms and its effect on performance. Pages 1–33. In: Proceedings of the 21st Meeting on Poultry Health and Condemnations, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.Google Scholar
BERG, C.C. (1998) Foot-Pad dermatitis in broilers and turkeys – prevalence, risk factors and prevention. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae Veterinaria 36, Slu, Skara, Sweden ISBN 91-576-5442-5.Google Scholar
BORGES, S.A., FISCHER, DA SILVA., , A.V., MAIORKA, A., HOOGE, D.M. and CUMMINGS, K.R. (2004) Effects of diet and cuclic heat stress on electrolyte, nitrogen and water intake, excretion by colostomised male broiler chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science 3 (5): 313–321.Google Scholar
BRANTON, S.L., LOTT, B.D., DEATON, J.W., MASLIN, W.R., HUSTIN, F.W., POTE, L.M., KEIRS, R.W., LATOUR, M.A. and DAY, E.J. (1997) The effect of added complex carbohydrates or added dietary fibre on necrotic enteritis lesions in broiler chickens. Poultry Science 76: 23–78.Google Scholar
BROADBENT, L. and Pattison, M. (2003) Winter Ventilation – Minimum Ventilation for Good Air Quality. Poultry World, November 2003.Google Scholar
BROOME, D.M. (1996) Animal welfare defined in terms of attempts to cope with the environment. ACTA Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A, Animal Science Supplement 27: 22–28.Google Scholar
BUTCHER, G.D., JACOB, J.P. and MATHER, F.B. (1999) Common Poultry Diseases. Fact Sheet PS-47 University of Florida May 1999.Google Scholar
BUTCHER, G.G., NILIPOUR, A.H. and MILES, R.D. (2002) Feed Passage in Broilers – AComplex Problem VM123, one of a series of the Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 1, 2002. Accessible at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.Google Scholar
CARRE, B., GOMEZ, J. and CHAGNEAU, A.M. (1995) Contribution of oligosaccharide and polysaccharide digestion, and excreta losses of lactic acid and short chain fatty acids to dietary metabolisable energy values in broiler chickens and adult cockerels. British Poultry Science 36: 611–629.Google Scholar
CASEWELL, M., FRIIS, C., MARCO, E., MCMULLIN, P. and PHILIPS, I. (2003) The European ban on growth-promoting antibiotics and emerging consequences for human and animal health. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 52: 159–161.Google Scholar
CHOCT, M. and KOCHER, A. (2006) Non-starch carbohydrates: Digestion and its secondary effects to monogastrics. http://www-personal.une.edu.au/∼mchoct/Nutsoc%20paper.pdf#search='non%20starch%20polysaccharides%20poultry'.Google Scholar
COBB (1995) Cobb 500 management manual 1995 revision.Google Scholar
CORNELISON, J.M., HANCOCK, A.G., WILLIAMS, A.G., DAVIS, L.B., ALLEN, N.L. and WATKINS, S.E. (2005) Evaluation of nipple drinkers and the Lott system for determining appropriate water flow for broilers. Avian Advice University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Vol 7 no 3 pp 001–004.Google Scholar
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 70/524/EEC (1970) 23rd November 1970 concerning additives in feedstuffs. Accessible at www.europa.eu.int.Google Scholar
CRRP (2005) Cooperative Regional Research Project W-195 water quality issues in poultry production and processing. Oct 2000 – Sept 2005. USA.Google Scholar
DAWKINS, M.S., DONNELLY, C.A. and JONES, T.A. (2004) Chicken welfare is influenced more by housing conditions than by stocking density. Nature 427: 342–344.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DAWKINS, M. (1983) Battery hens name their price; consumer demand theory and the measurement of ethological “needs”, Animal Behaviour 31: 1195–1205.Google Scholar
DEFRA (2002) Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens. Code of recommendations for the welfare of livestock, PB7275.Google Scholar
DUNCAN, I.J.H. (1996) Animal welfare defined in terms of feelings. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A, Animal Science Supplementum 27: 29–35.Google Scholar
DWI (2006) Drinking Water Inspectorate Drinking Water Annual Report Accessible at www.dwi.gov.uk/pubs/annrep05/contents.shtm.Google Scholar
EFRAC (2003) House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report Poultry Farming in the United Kingdom, Thirteenth Report of Session 2002–03.Google Scholar
EKSTRAND, C. (1993) Effects of stocking density on the Health, Behaviour and Productivity of Broilers, Swedish Facility of Agricultural Science Report 32, Skara 1993.Google Scholar
EU (2005) Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production Brussels, 30.05.2005 COM(2005) 221 final 2005/0099 Accessible at http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/welfare/farm/proposal_EN.pdf.Google Scholar
FAIRCHILD, B.D. and RITZ, C.W. (2006) Poultry Drinking Water Primer Accessible at http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1301.htm.Google Scholar
FICKEN, M.D. and WAGES, D.P. (1997) Necrotic enteritis. Diseases of Poultry, 10th ed.Calnek, B.W ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. Pp 261–264.Google Scholar
GEORGE, B.A., QUARLES, C.L. and FAGERBERG, D.J. (1982) Virginiamycin effects on controlling necrotic enteritis infection in chickens. Poultry Science 61: 224–227.Google Scholar
Georgia (2001) Water Usage and Broiler Performance. The University of Georgia – Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. April 2001 Vol 13. No 5.Google Scholar
GOAN, H.C., BURCHAM, P.H., DENTON, P.H. and DRAUGHON, F.A. (1992) Quality of well water on Tennessee poultry farms. Poultry Science 71: 103.Google Scholar
Grandin (2005) www.grandin.com/poultry.audit.html.Google Scholar
GREENE, J.A., MCCRACKEN, R.M. and EVANS, R.T. (1985) Acontact dermatitis of broilers – clinical and pathological findings. Avian Pathology 14: 23–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HARMES, R.H., DAMRON, B.L. and SIMPSON, C.F. (1977) Effect of wet litter and supplemental biotin and/or whey on the production of foot pad dermatitis in broilers. Poultry Science 56: 291–296.Google Scholar
HEIER, B.T., HOGASEN, H.R. and JARP, J. (2002) Factors associated with mortality in Norwegian broiler flocks. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 53: 147–158.Google Scholar
IPPC BREF (2003) source http://eippcb.jrc.es/- Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for Intensive Rearing of Poultry and Pigs (June 2003) including (Pierson 1999) “Guidance on the control of energy on poultry units” (Source BREF FEFANA (2001).Google Scholar
JAFARI, R.A., FAZLARA, A. and GOVAHI, M. (2006) An investigation into Salmonella and faecal coliform contamination of drinking water in broiler farms in Iran. International Journal of Poultry Science 5(5): 491–493.Google Scholar
JAMES, E.C. JR and WHEELER, R.S. (1949) Relation of dietary protein content to water intake, water elimination and amount of cloacal excreta produced by growing chickens. Poultry Science 28: 465–467.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
JORDAN, F.T.W., PATTISON, M., ET, AL. (1996) Poultry Diseases, 4th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company Ltd. London.Google Scholar
KALDHUSDAL, M. (2003) Maintaining gut health in meat-type poultry without antibacterial growth promoters and ionophores. In: Proceedings 14th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, August 10–14. Lillehammer, Norway, pp. 151–157.Google Scholar
KAPPERUD, G., SKJERVE, E., VIK, L., HAUGE, K., LYSAKER, A., Aalmen, I., OSTROFF, S.M. and POTTER, M. (1993) Epidemiological investigation of risk factors for Campylobacter colonization of Norwegian broiler flocks. Epidemiology and Infection 111: 245–255.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KEIRS, R.W. and BENNETT, L. (1993) Broiler performance loss associated with biogenic amines. In: Proceedings of the Maryland Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers. College Park, Md.: University of Maryland, pp. 31–41.Google Scholar
KESTIN, S.C., SU, G. and SØRensen, P. (1992) Different commercial broiler crosses have different susceptibilities to leg weakness. Poultry Science 78: 1085–1090.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
LE MÉNec, M. (1987) La maitrise de l'ambiance dans les bâtiments d'élevages avicoles. Bull.Inf. Stn Exp. Avicult. Ploufragan, 27, 3–36.Google Scholar
LOTT, B.D., DOZIER, W.A., SIMMONS, J.D. and ROUSH, W.B. (2003) Water flow rates in commercial broiler houses. Poultry Science 82(Suppl. 1): 102.Google Scholar
MANNING, L., BAINES, R.N. and CHADD, S.A. (2006) Key performance indicators for food safety in broiler production. British Food Journal 108(8): 605–621.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MARKS, H.L. (1987) Water and feed intake, feed efficiency, and abdominal fat levels of dwarf and normal chickens selected under different water:feed ratio environments. Poultry Science 66: 1895.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MARKS, H.L. and PESTI, G.M. (1984) The roles of protein level and diet form in water consumption and abdominal fat pad deposition of broilers. Poultry Science 63:1617–1625.Google Scholar
Martland, M.F. (1985) Ulcerative dermatitis in broiler chickens: the effect of wet litter. Avian Pathology 14: 353–364.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MATEOS, G.G., LAZARO, R. and GRACIA, M.I. (2002) The feasibility of using nutritional modifications to replace drugs in poultry feeds. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 11: 437–452.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MAY, J.D., LOTT, B.D. and SIMMONS, J.D. (1998) The effect of environmental temperature and body weight on growth rate and feed: gain of male broilers. Poultry Science 77:499–501.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MAY, J.D., LOTT, B.D. and SIMMONS, J.D. (2000) The effect of air velocity on broiler performance and feed and water consumption Poultry Science 79: 1396–1400.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MCILROY, S.G., GOODALL, E.A. and MCMURRAY, C.H. (1987) A contact dermatitis of broilers – epidemiological findings. Avian Pathology 16: 93–105.Google Scholar
MHS (2006) Meat and Hygiene Service Manual for Official Controls. Accessible at: www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/mhsmanualch1.pdf.Google Scholar
NAS (1994) Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, Ninth Revised Edition, 1994 Subcommittee on Poultry Nutrition Committee on Animal Nutrition Board on Agriculture National Research Council NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Washington, D.C. 1994 ISBN 0-309.04892-3.Google Scholar
PATTISON, M. (2002) Some clinical and pathological features of enteritis in broilers – observations on treatment in the UK. The Elanco Global Enteritis Symposium July 9–11.2002.Google Scholar
PB1739 (2006) Poultry Litter Management Defra. Accessible at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/meatchks/pb1739/LITTE003.htm.Google Scholar
PETTERSSON, D. and AMAN, P. (1989) Enzyme supplementation of a poultry diet containing rye and wheat. British Journal of Nutrition 62: 139–149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
PHILIPS, I., CASEWELL, M., COX, T., DE Groot, B., FRIIS, C., JONES, R., NIGHTINGALE, C., PRESTON, R. and WADDELL, J. (2004) Does the use of antibiotics in food animals pose a risk to human health? A critical review of published data. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 53: 28–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
POPPE, C., IRWIN, R.J., MESSIER, S., FINLEY, G.G. and OGGEL, J. (1991) The prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and other Salmonella spp. among Canadian registered commercial broiler chicken flocks. Epidemiology and Infection 107: 201–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PRICE, L.B., JOHNSON, E., VAILES, R. and SILBERGELD, E. (2005) Fluoroquinolone- resistant Campylobacter isolates from conventional and antibiotic-free chicken products. Environmental Health Perspectives 113: 557–560.Google Scholar
PUPPE, B. (1996) Social dominance and rank relationships in domestic pigs; a critical review. Berliner und Münchener Tieraztliche Wochenschrift 109 (11–12): 457–64.Google Scholar
REBEL, J.M.J., BALK, F.R.M., POST, J., VAN Hemert, S., ZEKARIAS, B. and STOCKHOFFE, N. (2006) Malabsorption syndrome in broilers. World's Poultry Science Journal 62(1): 17–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
REECE, F.N., LOTT, B.D. and DEATON, J.W. (1980) Ammonia in the atmosphere during brooding affects performance of broiler chickens. Poultry Science 59: 486–488.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ROSEN, G.D. (1995) Antibacterials in poultry and pig nutrition. In: Biotechnology in Animal Feeds and Animal Feeding. Ed Wallace, R.J. and Chesson, A. (1995).Google Scholar
ROSS (1999) Ross Broiler Management Manual. Ross Breeders, November 1999.Google Scholar
RSPCA (2002) Behind Closed doors – the truth about chickens bred for meat. Z3053.Google Scholar
RUSHen, J. and DE Passille, A.M. (1992) The scientific assessment of the impact of housing on animal welfare, A critical review. Canadian Journal Animal Science 72: 721–743.Google Scholar
SCAHAW (2000) European Commission – Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Welfare 2000. The Welfare of Chickens Kept for Meat Production (Broilers) European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Adopted 21 March 2000.Google Scholar
SCHALLER, D. (1998) Necrotic enteritis in poultry production – the Norwegian experience. Proceedings of European Poultry Symposium, Bayer Ag, Cascais, Portugal. pp. 37–42.Google Scholar
SINGLETON, R. (2004) Hot weather broiler and breeder management. Asian Poultry Magazine, September 2002, pp 26–29.Google Scholar
STUZ, M.W. and LAWTON, G.C. (1984) Effects of diet and antimicrobials on growth, feed efficiency, intestinal Clostridium perfringens, and ideal weight of broiler chicks. Poultry Science 63: 2036–2042.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
VALENTINE, H. (1964) A study on the effect of different ventilation rates in the ammonia concentration in the atmosphere of broiler houses. British Poultry Science 5: 149–159.Google Scholar
VAN DER SLUIS, W. (2000) Clostridial enteritis is an often underestimated problem. World Poultry 16(7): 42–43.Google Scholar
VIEIRA, S.L. and LIMA, I.L. (2005) Live performance, water intake and excreta characteristics of broilers fed all vegetable diets based on corn and soybean meal. International Journal of Poultry Science 4(6): 365–368.Google Scholar
VON WACHELFELT, E. (1989) Climate, environment and litter in a broiler house. Land and Water Use, p 1423–1427.Google Scholar
WATKINS, S.E. (2006) Water quality and sanitation. Poultry Digest Online Vol 3 No 12. The paper was presented at the 2003 U.S Poultry & Egg Association Poultry Production and Health Seminar. Accessible at www.wattnet.com/library/SownLoad/PD12waterq.pdf.Google Scholar
WATHES, C.M. (1998) Aerial emissions from poultry production. World's Poultry Science Journal 54: 241–251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WIERUP, M. (2001) The Swedish experience of the 1986 ban of antibiotic growth promoters, with specific reference to animal health, disease prevention, productivity, and usage of antimicrobials. Microbial Drug Resistance 7: 183–190.Google Scholar
ZIMMERMAN, N.G., DHILLON, A.S., BARTON, T.L. and ANDREWS, L.D. (1993) Relationship of drinking water quality and broiler performance in Washington State. Poultry Science 72: 1.Google Scholar
ZIMMERMAN, N.G. and DOUGLASS, L. (1998) A survey of drinking water quality and its effect on broiler growth performance on Delmarva. Poultry Science 77(Supplement 1): 121.Google Scholar