Influence of stocking density on behavioural, health and productivity traits of turkeys in large flocks

Abstract

1. The effect of stocking density on welfare traits of turkeys was studied in 2 experiments. In each experiment 2,633 sexed BUT turkey poults were assigned to 3 rooms, 135 m2 with 1 treatment per room. Because of the large flock size (675,878 and 1080 birds in T1, T2 and T3 respectively) treatments were not replicated 2. Floor space allowances varied according to treatment; for the males: 24 dm2, 18.5 dm2 and 15 dm2 until week 12 and 40 dm2, 31 dm2 and 25 dm2 from week 12; for the females: 16 dm2, 12.3 dm2 and 10 dm2. 2. The scan sampling method in experiment 1 and the focal sampling method in experiment 2 were used to record behaviour at week 6, 9, 12 (males and females), and 16 (males). Birds' ethogram was divided into 7 mutually exclusive behaviours: standing/walking, resting, feeding, drinking, pecking at the environment, pecking at another bird, and preening. Position changes in the pen and the frequency of disturbances of resting birds by other birds were recorded in experiment 2. 3. Gait was assessed at week 12 (females) and week 16 (males). Prevalence of lesions, breast (males), hip and foot (males and females), were recorded at slaughter. Birds were weighed at week 12 (males and females) and week 16 (males). 4. Stocking density had little influence on behaviour except on the frequency of disturbances of resting birds by other birds, which tended to be more frequent at the highest density. 5. Gait deteriorated as stocking density increased. Hip and foot lesions were more frequent at the highest density. Bodyweight decreased significantly with decreasing floor space. 6. The results suggest that turkey welfare was poorer at the highest density than at the 2 lower stocking densities.

The influence of stocking rate and male:female ratio on the production of breeding ostriches (<i>Struthio camelus</i> spp.) under commercial farming conditions

“…Wechsler & Schmid (1998) found that aggressive interactions were significantly increased in multiple-male groups of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The abnormal behaviour patterns observed at the higher stocking rates agree with findings in poultry where high stocking rates had a negative influence on the reproduction performance and well-being of laying hens (Hughes & Wood-Gush, 1977;Blokhuis & Wiepkema, 1998;Sherwin & Kelland, 1998;Martrenchar et al, 1999;Savory et al, 1999;Bilcik & Keeling, 2000;Klein et al, 2000). The high stocking rates of 150 birds, 141 birds and 210 birds/ha also contributed to an increased incidence of homosexual behaviour and feather pecking, both during the breeding and the non-breeding periods.…”

The Effect of Stocking Density on the Behaviour of Broiler Chickens

“…It is known that increasing the stocking density leads to changes in behaviour in both commercial (Hall, 2001) and experimental conditions (Blokhuis and van der Haar, 1990;Lewis and Hurnik, 1990;Marttenchar et al, 1997). In general, increasing the number of birds per unit area was found to increase the incidence of agonistic behaviour and reduce the amount of time spent lying or resting.…”

Broiler breeder behavior and egg production as function of environmental temperature

“…Opposed to Jong et al (2003), no significant differences in the laying down behavior due to feeding restriction were observed in the present experiment. However, this disparity may be partially explained by the results of Martrenchar et al (1997), who concluded that the increase in bird density may negatively affect welfare, as determined by physiological and productive parameters.…”

“…Results showed that qualitative feed restriction resulted in higher welfare standards, and this research work has been used to subsidize welfare regulations. Martrenchar et al (1997), studied stocking densities and behavioral responses of broilers, and concluded that 43 kg/m 2 negatively affected welfare, as measured by behavioral, physiological, and productive parameters in comparison to a stocking density of 27 kg/m 2 . The objective of the present research work was to study the influence of environmental temperature on the behavioral responses of female broiler breeders.…”