The use of perches and platforms by broiler chickens

Norring, Marianna; Kaukonen, Eija; Valros, Anna

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2016.07.012

Cited by 75 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Perch design (Pettit-Riley and Estevez, 2001;Oester et al, 2005), stocking density and bird age (Pettit-Riley and Estevez, 2001) influence perching, which is most common at around 4 to 5 weeks of age, declining thereafter (Pettit-Riley and Estevez, 2001;Ventura et al, 2012). Easy accessibility increases perching, as broilers tend to prefer perches at 10 cm height instead of higher ones at 30 cm height (Norring et al, 2016). However, older birds might not be agile enough to use perches at all (Pettit-Riley and Estevez, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perches and elevated platforms in commercial broiler farms: use and effect on walking ability, incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and bone mineral content

Kaukonen

Norring

Valros

2017

Animal

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Modern fast-growing broilers spend excessive periods resting and their activity further decreases with age. Inactivity has been suggested to increase impaired gait and the incidence of leg disorders. Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a common leg pathology in broilers. A more complex environment might facilitate more activity and improve leg health. Perches or elevated platforms bring variety to broilers' environment and could motivate more locomotion. This study examined the impact of perches and elevated platforms on walking ability, the occurrence of TD and level of bone ash and mineral contents. The investigation was performed on four commercial broiler farms throughout six consecutive batches with platforms and four to five with perches. On each farm at least two separate houses were included, enabling the comparison of furnished flocks to control flocks during each batch. Plastic slats with ramp access elevated by 30 cm or wooden perches of 10 and 30 cm height were offered in the furnished house. Farmers recorded the platform and perch usage twice a week with a five-point scale. Gait was scored before slaughter on a six-point scale according to the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for poultry. The severity of TD was determined using a four-point scale on farm from all birds gait scored as 3 and at slaughter from 200 birds/flock. Farmers estimated 50% to 100% of the platforms to be occupied in all flocks throughout the entire growing period. Only single birds were perching, thus perch structures were constantly evaluated to be empty. Due to the low use, the perch-equipped houses were excluded when analysing bone content, walking ability and TD. On average, 30% of the tested birds exhibited gait score ⩾3. Younger scoring age resulted in a lower mean gait score and a lower percentage of scores 3 and 4 to 5. Overall, 2.3% of the birds examined at slaughter and 3.5% of the birds with gait score 3 were affected by TD. Leg health was better in birds with access to platforms: mean gait score, the percentage of birds scoring 3, and TD percentage and severity were lower in birds in platform-equipped houses. Elevated structures such as platforms, offering additional possibilities for locomotion to broilers seem to improve their leg health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perches and elevated platforms in commercial broiler farms: use and effect on walking ability, incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and bone mineral content

Kaukonen

Norring

Valros

2017

Animal

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“…Os resultados obtidos estão de acordo com os de Newberry et al (1985), que observaram que a grande maioria das aves (63%) permanecem menos de 1 minuto. NORRING et al, 2016;LOCKHORST, 1996), concordando com os resultados encontrados. BLOKHUIS et al, 1988).…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

“…Porém, o comportamento e a preferência em usar ou não um sistema desses são influenciados por vários fatores, dentre eles: peso das aves, idade e a altura das plataformas (BLOKHUIS et al, 1988;NORRING et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“…No entanto, a grande maioria dos estudos com frangos de corte demonstra que essas aves utilizam essas estruturas apenas moderadamente (PETTIT-RILEY;ESTEVEZ, 2001;SU et al, 2000;RODRIGUEZ- AURREKOETXEA et al, 2015;NORRING et al, 2016) e que dão maior preferência à utilização de plataformas em relação a poleiros, quando disponíveis como opção de enriquecimento ambiental(NORRING et al, 2016). Talvez por essa razão atualmente todos os sistemas de pesagem automática de frangos de corte se baseiam em plataformas, seja suspensas ou fixadas no piso.Para garantir que a plataforma de pesagem seja mais atrativa para as aves, a altura da balança deve ser ajustada de forma que permaneça o mais próximo do chão possível, mas sem encostar na cama.…”

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“…Talvez por essa razão atualmente todos os sistemas de pesagem automática de frangos de corte se baseiam em plataformas, seja suspensas ou fixadas no piso.Para garantir que a plataforma de pesagem seja mais atrativa para as aves, a altura da balança deve ser ajustada de forma que permaneça o mais próximo do chão possível, mas sem encostar na cama. Outra preocupação importante, especialmente quando as aves são pequenas, é que não seja deixado espaço disponível para que elas entrem embaixo da plataforma.O fato de as aves buscarem utilizar uma plataforma indica que elas apresentam a motivação de subir em estruturas elevadas, se dada a oportunidade(NORRING et al, 2016). Uma outra explicação para o comportamento de subir em uma estrutura elevada, como poleiro ou plataforma, é uma necessidade da ave de diminuir a densidade Martrenchar et al (2000).…”

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