The effect of the stocking density on the behaviour of broilers

TL;DRAbstract

At the Spelderholt Centre, research is carried out to provide more detailed information on the effect of housing factors on the behaviour and welfare of broilers. These studies should help the formulation of regulations for less intensive meat production. In the present experiment the behaviour of broilers was studied at densities of 2, 8, 14 and 20 birds/m 2 . Already in the third week of age, pecking and scratching decreased at higher densities. Preening and walking showed the same trends, but this was only significant in week 7. Although litter quality and group size may have played a role, it was concluded that housing density was the most relevant factor causing the disturbance of behaviour. The conclusion from these preliminary observations is that the welfare of broilers is at risk at higher housing densities from the age of three weeks onwards. Der Einfluß der Besatzdichte auf das Verhalten von Broilern Im Forschungszentrum Spelderholt wurden Untersuchungen zur Ermittlung des E

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper