Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-fwgfc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-09T13:17:56.890Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Major welfare issues in broiler breeders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2011

I.C. DE JONG  and
D. GUÉMENÉ
I.C. DE JONG*
Affiliation:
Wageningen UR Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
D. GUÉMENÉ
Affiliation:
INRA-UR83, Unité de Recherches Avicoles, 37380 Nouzilly, France SYSAAF, Unité de Recherches Avicoles, 37380 Nouzilly, France
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Under current practices, broiler parent stock (broiler breeders) encounter several welfare problems, such as feed restriction and injury during mating. Intensive selection for production traits, especially growth rate, is associated with increased nutritious requirement and thus feed consumption, but also reproductive dysfunctions and decreased sexual activity in broiler breeders. A resulting serious welfare problem is the subsequent severe feed restriction which is applied during rearing, in order to prevent health problems and to achieve better egg production. This severe feed restriction has negative effects on bird welfare as it causes chronic stress resulting from hunger. Recent research has focused on management practices to alleviate the negative effect of this feed restriction. Using both a more fibrous feed and an appetite suppressant seems most successful. There are welfare concerns involved in the mating of broiler breeders. In many countries mutilations (beak trimming, despurring and toe clipping) are carried out in male broiler breeders as a standard procedure to prevent excessive damage to the hens during mating. It has been reported that broiler breeder males show low libido but, at the same time, may be aggressive and show rough behaviour during mating, which can cause severe injuries to the hens, although some injuries may be caused by over-mating hens. Current studies aim to develop management practices to reduce hen injury due to over-mating and improve the sexual behaviour in both males and females. In the last part of the review, an examination of how breeding companies are taking welfare into consideration in their commercial selection scheme is made. In practice, although for example reduced mortality and some health criteria are included in selection programs and some alternative breeds as used, other welfare issues remain, such as feed restriction during rearing.

Keywords

broiler breedersgeneticswelfarecourtship behaviourfeed restriction
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 67 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 73 - 82
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2011

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

BESSEI, W., REITER, K. and SCHWARZENBERG, A. (1997) Measuring pecking towards a bunch of feathers in individually housed hens as a mean to select against feather pecking. Proceedings of the 5th European Symposium on Poultry Welfare, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 74-76.Google Scholar
BLOKHUIS, H.J., VAN NIEKERK, T.F., BESSEI, W., ELSON, A., GUEMENE, D., KJAER, J.B., LEVRINO, G.A.M., NICOL, C.M., TAUSON, R., WEEKS, C.A. and VAN DE WEERD, H.A. (2007) The LayWel project: welfare implications of changes in production systems for laying hens. World's Poultry Science Journal 63: 101-114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BOULAY, M., ARNOULD, C., MIGNON-GRASTEAU, S. and CHAPUIS, H. (2006) Can plumage score be improved using an automatic measurement of pecking at a bunch of feathers? Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Belo Horizonte, MG (BRA), 2006/08/13-18, Communication N°17-11, Sociedade Brasiliera de Melhoramento Animal, Belo Horizonte, MG (BRA).Google Scholar
BRILLARD, J.P. (2001) Future strategies for broiler breeders: an international perspective. World's Poultry Science Journal 57: 243-250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
BRUGGEMAN, V., ONAGBESAN, O., D'HONDT, E., BUYS, N., SAFI, M., VANMONTFORT, D., BERGHMAN, L., VANDESANDE, F. and DECUYPERE, E. (1999) Effects of timing and duration of feed restriction during rearing on reproductive characteristics in broiler breeder females. Poultry Science 78: 1424-1434.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CHAPUIS, H., BOULAY, M., RETAILLEAU, J.P., ARNOULD, C., MIGNON-GRASTEAU, S., BERRI, C., BESNARD, J., COUDURIER, B. and FAURE, J.M. (2003) Sélection d'une souche de poulet label contre le picage: bilan après trois générations de sélection au picomètre. 5èmes Journées de la Recherche Avicole, Tours, pp 363-366.Google Scholar
CHENG, H. (2006) Morphopathological changes and pain in beak trimmed laying hens. World's Poultry Science Journal 62: 41-52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
D'EATH, R.B., TOLKAMP, B.J., KYRIAZAKIS, I. and LAWRENCE, A.B. (2009) 'Freedom from hunger' and preventing obesity: the animal welfare implications of reducing foot quantity or food quality. Animal Behaviour 77: 275-288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
D'EATH, R.B., CONINGTON, J., LAWRENCE, A.B., OLSSON, I.A.S. and SANDØE, P. (2010) Breeding for behavioural change in farm animals: practical, economic and ethical consequences. Animal Welfare 19(S): 17-27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DE JONG, I.C., VAN VOORST, S., EHLHARDT, D.A. and BLOKHUIS, H.J. (2002) Effects of restricted feeding on physiological stress parameters in growing broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 43: 157-168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DE JONG, I.C., VAN VOORST, S. and BLOKHUIS, H.J. (2003) Parameters for quantification of hunger in broiler breeders. Physiology and Behavior 78: 773-783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DE JONG, I.C., ENTING, H., VAN VOORST, S., RUESINK, E.W. and BLOKHUIS, H.J. (2005a) Do low density diets improve broiler breeder welfare during rearing and laying? Poultry Science 84: 194-203.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DE JONG, I.C., FILLERUP, M. and BLOKHUIS, H.J. (2005b) Effect of scattered feeding and feeding twice a day during rearing on parameters of hunger and frustration in broiler breeders. Applied Animal Behavior Science 92: 61-76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DE JONG, I.C. and JONES, B. (2006) Feed restriction and welfare in domestic birds, in: BELS, V. (Ed.) Feeding in domestic vertebrates, pp. 120-135 (Wallingford, CABI).Google Scholar
DE JONG, I.C., WOLTHUIS-FILLERUP, M. and VAN EMOUS, R.A. (2009) Development of sexual behavior in commercially-housed broiler breeders after mixing. British Poultry Science 50: 151-160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DECUYPERE, E., HOCKING, P.M., TONA, K., ONAGBESAN, O., BRUGGEMAN, V., JONES, E.K.M., CASSY, S., RIDEAU, N., METAYER, S., JEGO, Y., PUTTERFLAM, J., TESSERAUD, S., COLLIN, A., DUCLOS, M., TREVIDY, J.J. and WILLIAMS, J. (2006) Broiler breeder paradox: a project report. World's Poultry Science Journal 62: 443-453.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DUNCAN, I.J.H. (2009) Mating behaviour and fertility, in: HOCKING, P. (Ed.) Biology of breeding poultry, Poultry Science Symposium Series, Vol. 29, pp. 111-132 (Wallingford, CABI).Google Scholar
FIKS, T.G.C.M. and DE JONG, I.C. (2007) Mutilations in poultry in European poultry production systems. Lohmann Information 42: 35.Google Scholar
GENTLE, M.J. and HUNTER, L.N. (1988) Neural consequences of partial toe amputation in chickens. Research in Veterinary Science 45: 374-376.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
GENTLE, M.J. and MCKEEGAN, D.E.F. (2007) Evaluation of the effects of infrared beak trimming in broiler breeder chicks. Veterinary Record 160: 145-148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HENDERSON, S.N., BARTON, J.T., WOLFENDEN, A.D., HIGGINS, S.E., HIGGINS, J.P., KUENZEL, W.J., LESTER, C.A., TELLEZ, G. and HARGIS, B.M. (2009) Comparison of beak-trimming methods on early broiler breeder performance. Poultry Science 88: 57-60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HOCKING, P.M., MAXWELL, M.H. and MITCHELL, M.A. (1993) Welfare assessment of broiler breeder and layer females subjected to food restriction and limited access to water during rearing. British Poultry Science 34: 443-458.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HOCKING, P.M., MAXWELL, M.H. and MITCHELL, M.A. (1996) Relationships between the degree of food restriction and welfare indices in broiler breeder females. British Poultry Science 37: 263-278.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HOCKING, P.M., ZACZEK, V. JONES, E.K.M., and MCLEOD, M.G. (2004) Different concentrations and sources of dietary fibre may improve the welfare of female broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 45: 9-19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HOCKING, P.M. (2006) High-fibre pelleted rations decrease water intake but do not improve physiological indexes of welfare in food-restricted female broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 47: 19-23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HOCKING, P.M. and JONES, E.K.M. (2006) On-farm assessment of environmental enrichment for broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 47: 418-425.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
JONES, E.K.M. and PRESCOTT, N.B. (2000) Visual cues used in the choice of mate by fowl and their potential importance for the breeder industry. World's Poultry Science Journal 56: 127-138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
JONES, E.K.M., PRESCOTT, N.B., COOK, P., WHITE, R.P. and WATHES, C.M. (2001) Ultraviolet light and mating behavior in domestic broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 42: 23-32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
JONES, E.K.M., ZACZEK, V., MCLEOD, M. and HOCKING, P.M. (2004) Genotype, dietary manipulation and food allocation affect indices of welfare in broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 45: 725-737.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KJAER, J.B., SOERENSEN, P. and SU, G. (2001) Divergent selection on feather pecking behaviour in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 71: 229-239.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KRUIJT, J.P. (1964) Ontogeny of social behaviour in the Burmese red junglefowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus). PhD Thesis, University of Groningen.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
LAUGHLIN K.F., (2007) Evolution of Genetics, Breeding and Production. Temperton Fellowship Report 15. Harper Adams University College.Google Scholar
LEONE, E.H. and ESTEVEZ, I. (2008) Economic and welfare benefits of environmental enrichment for broiler breeders. Poultry Science 87: 14-21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MASON, G., CLUBB, R., LATHAM, N. and VICKERY, S. (2006) Why and how should we use environmental enrichment to tackle stereotypic behaviour? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102: 163-188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MAXWELL, M.H., HOCKING, P.M. and ROBERTSON, G.W. (1992) Differential leucocyte responses to various degrees of food restriction in broilers, turkeys and ducks. British Poultry Science 33: 177-187.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MCKAY, J.C. (2009) The genetics of modern commercial poultry, in: HOCKING, P. (Ed.) Biology of breeding poultry, Poultry Science Symposium Series, Vol. 29, pp. 3-9 (Wallingford, CABI).Google Scholar
MENCH, J.A. (2002) Broiler breeders: feed restriction and welfare. World's Poultry Science Journal 58: 23-30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MIGNON-GRASTEAU, S. and FAURE, J.M. (2002) Genetics and adaptation: situation in poultry. INRA Productions Animales 15: 357-364.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MILLMAN, S.T. and DUNCAN, I.J.H. (2000a) Strain differences in aggressiveness of male domestic fowl in response to a male model. Applied Animal Behavior Science 66: 217-233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MILLMAN, S.T. and DUNCAN, I.J.H. (2000b) Effect of male-to-male aggressiveness and feed-restriction during rearing on sexual behavior and aggressiveness towards females by male domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behavior Science 70: 63-82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MILLMAN, S.T. and DUNCAN, I.J.H. (2000c) Do female broiler breeder fowl display a preference for broiler breeder or laying strain males in a Y-maze test? Applied Animal Behavior Science 69: 275-290.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MILLMAN, S.T., DUNCAN, I.J.H. and WIDOWSKI, T.M. (2000) Male broiler breeder fowl display high levels of aggression toward females. Poultry Science 79: 1233-1241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MORMÈDE, P., ANDANSON, S., AUPERIN, B., BEERDA, B., GUEMENE, D., MALMKVIST, J., MANTECA, X., MANTEUFFEL, G., PRUNET, P., VAN REENEN, C.G., RICHARD, S. and VEISSIER, I. (2007) Exploration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function as a tool to evaluate animal welfare. Physiology & Behavior 92: 317-339.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MOYLE, J.R., YOHO, D.E., HARPER, R.S. and BRAMWELL, R.K. (2010) Mating behavior in commercial broiler breeders: female effects. Journal of Applied Poultry Science 19: 24-29.Google Scholar
RAUW, W.M., KANIS, E., NOORDHUIZEN-STASSEN, E.N. and GROMMERS, F.J. (1998) Undesirable side effects of selection for high production efficiency in farm animals: a review. Livestock Production Science 56: 15-33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RODENBURG, T.B., KOMEN, H., ELLEN, E.D., UITDEHAAG, K.A. and VAN ARENDONK, J.A.M. (2008) Selection method and early-life history affect behavioral development, feather pecking and cannibalism in laying hens: A review. Applied Animal Behavior Science 110: 217-228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SANDILANDS, V., TOLKAMP, B.J. and KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2005) Behavior of food restricted broilers during rearing and lay - effects of an alternative feeding method. Physiology & Behavior 85: 115-123.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SANDILANDS, V., TOLKAMP, B.J., SAVORY, C.J. and KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2006) Behavior and welfare of broiler breeders fed qualitatively restricted diets during rearing: are there viable alternatives to quantitative restriction? Applied Animal Behavior Science 96: 53-67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAVORY, C.J., MAROS, K. and RUTTER, S.M. (1993) Assessment of hunger in growing broiler breeders in relation to a commercial restricted feeding programme. Animal Welfare 2: 131-152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAVORY, C.J., HOCKING, P.M., MANN, J.S. and MAXWELL, M.H. (1996) Is broiler breeder welfare improved by using qualitative rather than quantitative food restriction to limit growth rate? Animal Welfare 5: 105-127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
STAR, L., ELLEN, E.D., UITDEHAAG, K. and BROM, F.W.A. (2008) A plea to implement robustness into a breeding goal: Poultry as an example. Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics 21: 109-125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SU, G., KJAER, J.B. and SORENSEN, P. (2006) Divergent selection on feather pecking behavior in laying hens has caused differences between lines in egg production, egg quality, and feed efficiency. Poultry Science 85: 191-197.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
TOLKAMP, B.J., SANDILANDS, V. and KYRIAZAKIS, I. (2005) Effects of qualitative feed restriction during rearing on the performance of broiler breeders during rearing and lay. Poultry Science 84: 1286-1293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed