Welfare assessment of three chicken breeds (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) under different production systems

Bozakova, N.; Gerzilov, V.; Popova-Ralcheva, S.; Sredkova, V.

doi:10.2298/bah1104705b

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 16 publications

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“…The authors suggested that to ensure acceptable welfare and health in these broilers, it may be necessary to provide more opportunities for them to rest in an elevated position. Bozakova et al (2011) found that higher welfare of birds reared organically was linked to the greater number of birds spending their time dust bathing and preening, fewer episodes of aggressive behaviours, as well as lower plasma corticosterone levels, compared to birds reared indoor on litter. In stress tests, it was found that slow-growing bird strains (more commonly used in organic production systems) displayed a quicker reaction time when submitted to tonic immobility test, which implies less stress reaction (Castellini et al 2016).…”

Section: Behavioural Effectsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

et al. 2020

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This review aimed to systematically map and summarize the status of animal health and welfare in organic production. The prevalence of diseases and behavioural effects in organic dairy cow, beef cattle, sheep, pig, laying hen and broiler chicken were discussed in the context of the organic values and current knowledge on animal health and welfare. In total 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications between 2008 and 2020 were included. No strong evidence for neither inferior nor distinctly higher animal welfare in organic compared with conventional production could be supported. The welfare status of organic livestock is in general good in relation to the OIE definition of animal health and welfare. However, organic systems are still facing several challenges related to animal health and the arising of goal conflicts due to management and practical implications. Greater possibilities to perform species-specific behaviours in organic production systems, however, indicate that the organic standards offer a good framework for high animal welfare management. For organic dairy farmers, the main health problems are similar to those of non-organic farms; especially mastitis and lameness need improvement. Parasites, together with mastitis and lamb mortality, are important welfare issues in organic sheep production. Piglet mortality, leg problems, parasite load and increasing respiratory problems are of major relevance in organic pig production. For organic laying hens, major health challenges relate to feather pecking and cannibalism, parasites and possibilities to express species-specific behaviours. For organic broilers, dermatitis of footpads, hocks and breast are reported as main health issues.

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Section: Behavioural Effectsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

et al. 2020

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Effects of pasture management on poultry welfare and meat quality in organic poultry production systems

Sossidou¹,

Bosco

Castellini

et al. 2015

World's Poultry Science Journal

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Types and clinical presentation of damaging behaviour - feather pecking and cannibalism in birds

Nikolov¹,

Kanakov²

2022

BJVM

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Behavioural disorders, including feather pecking and cannibalism, are a common problem in both domestic and wild birds. The consequences of this behaviour on welfare of birds incur serious economic losses. Pecking behaviour in birds is either normal or injurious. The type of normal pecking behaviour includes non-aggressive feather pecking – allopreening and autopreening. Aggressive feather pecking aimed at maintenance and establishment of hierarchy in the flock is not associated to feathering damage. Injurious pecking causes damage of individual feathers and of feathering as a whole. Two clinical presentations of feather pecking are known in birds. The gentle feather pecking causes minimum damage; it is further divided into normal and stereotyped with bouts; it could however evolve into severe feather pecking manifested with severe pecking, pulling and removal, even consumption of feathers of the victim, which experiences pain. Severe feather pecking results in bleeding from feather follicle, deterioration of plumage and appearance of denuded areas on victim’s body. Prolonged feather pecking leads to tissue damage and consequently, cannibalism. The numerous clinical presentations of the latter include pecking of the back, abdomen, neck and wings. Vent pecking and abdominal pecking incur important losses especially during egg-laying. In young birds, pulling and pecking of toes of legs is encountered. All forms of cannibalistic pecking increase mortality rates in birds. Transition of various pecking types from one into another could be seen, while the difference between gentle, severe feather pecking and cannibalism is not always distinct.

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Welfare assessment of three chicken breeds (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) under different production systems

Cited by 3 publications

References 16 publications

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

Effects of pasture management on poultry welfare and meat quality in organic poultry production systems

Types and clinical presentation of damaging behaviour - feather pecking and cannibalism in birds

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