A comparison of fast growing broiler chickens with a slower-growing breed type reared on Higher Welfare commercial farms

Abstract

Slowing the growth of modern broiler chickens can have a positive effect on a number of welfare outcomes. However, relatively few studies have compared fast and slower growing broiler chickens reared under the same commercial conditions. The main aim of this study was to evaluate a slower growing breed and standard fast growing broilers on commercial farms. Ross 308 broilers and slower growing Hubbard Redbro broilers were housed on six farms for 17 production cycles. Production data were available for all cycles. Behaviour and environmental measures were taken over one cycle on each of two farms. The farms were visited during weeks 3–6 for both breeds and week 7 for Redbros. We found that breed had a significant effect on a number of measures, including gait score, latency to lie, feather cover, avoidance distances, perch use and play behaviour (p < 0.05). Gait scores were consistently lower among the Redbro flocks during weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7. Redbro broilers generally had longer latency to lie times, better feather cover, and were more reactive to approaching observers. They also showed higher levels of perch use and play. Despite these indications of improved locomotion and physical ability, we found little difference in their general behaviour. However, Redbro broilers did perform longer activity bouts in week 7 than Ross 308s in their final week. There was no effect of breed on dust levels, ammonia concentration or litter condition. Redbro broilers were slaughtered 5.5 days later than Ross 308 birds at a lower average weight (2.32 vs 2.52kg) and had lower mortality, fewer culls and fewer carcasses downgraded at the abattoir. Our results suggest that the slower growing strain was healthier throughout the cycle and more capable of displaying some natural behaviours.

Enhancing their quality of life: environmental enrichment for poultry

“…However, Rayner et al (2020) observed less play in disturbed areas of the house in a fast-growing broiler strain than in 2 slower-growing strains, and this difference was accompanied by evidence of poorer health in the fast-growing flocks. Similar findings were reported by Baxter et al (2021) in a comparison of Hubbard Redbro vs. Ross 308 broilers.…”

“…The implication is that this type of play depends upon the availability of such items. Baxter et al (2021) found that striped red and white paper straw was effective in stimulating worm running during 1-min observations. Liu et al.…”

Soybean vs. Pea Bean in the Diet of Medium-Growing Broiler Chickens Raised under Semi-Intensive Conditions of Inner Mediterranean Areas: Growth Performance and Environmental Impact

“…Diet, together with genotype, age and sex of birds, and their management systems, is an important factor influencing animal growth and quality of production. Furthermore, focusing on well-being and housing conditions, chicken meat production is more oriented towards less intensive systems, for which medium- and slow-growing broiler strains have been recommended [ 7 ]. In fact, medium- and slow-growing chickens are more suitable for alternative production systems for their higher vitality, disease resistance, and adaptability to outdoor conditions than fast-growing chickens [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Carcass and Meat Quality Traits of Medium-Growing Broiler Chickens Fed Soybean or Pea Bean and Raised under Semi-Intensive Conditions

“…Therefore, throughout the world there is an increasing interest in alternative and less intensive poultry production systems that meet higher standards for animal welfare, for which medium- and slow-growing broiler strains have been recommended [ 17 ]. Indeed, several authors reported that medium- and slow-growing broiler strains perform better when referred to health issues than conventional strains [ 18 ], including more resilience to heat stress [ 19 ] and a meat more appropriate for a specialty or gourmet market [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. The impact of the use of soybean meal and legume seeds in feed on the meat quality of fast-growing broiler chickens has been studied by other authors [ 8 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”