Influence of stocking density, artificial dusk and group size on the perching behaviour of broilers

1. Perching behaviour of Ross broiler chickens was studied in order to increase the available space at the floor level. Pens (36 m2) were equipped with wooden perches mounted 20 and 33 cm above the litter (5 cm perch length per bird). 2. The influences of stocking density (22 vs 11 birds/m2, experiment 1) and of a 10 min artificial dusk (17 birds/m2, experiment 2) were tested in a 2x2 factorial design (n=4 by treatment) including control pens without perches. In experiment 3, perching behaviour between 2 different group sizes (1020 vs 4590 birds, 17 birds/m2, no replicates) was compared. 3. The percentage of perching birds (PPB) was assessed by scan sampling observations during the 20 to 22 h light period (8 observations per d, 5 d a week, from week 3). In experiment 2, infra-red video recording was performed at the time lights were dimmed and during the dark period. In experiment 1, carcase lesions were noted. In experiment 2, tibia breaking strength of frequently perching birds was compared with controls. Birds were weighed before slaughter and food conversion was calculated. 4. PPB increased with age and density (P<0.01) and was highest at the 22 birds/m2 density during week 6 (mean=10.6%, maximum=13.5%). PPB was not influenced by a 10-min artificial dusk. In experiment 3, PPB was slightly lower during weeks 5 and 6 in the large group size compared to the small group size (6.8% vs 7.9% respectively in week 6). 5. Prevalence of carcase lesions and tibia breaking strengths were unrelated to perch usage. Final body-weights were not influenced by the presence of perches except at the 22 birds/m2 density where males were slightly heavier in the control pens compared with males in pens equipped with perches (2096 g vs 2051 g, P=0.015). Food conversion was independent of the presence of perches.     

Influence of light-dark schedules and stocking density on behaviour,risk of leg problems and occurrence of chronic fear in broilers

1. The aims of this study were to determine (1) the effect of light-dark schedules on the walking ability, the risk of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) as well as the duration of tonic immobility (TI) reactions in commercial broiler flocks and (2) the effect of a daily dark period and reduced density on the behaviour of broiler chickens. 2. Experiment 1. Group 1 had a 2 to 8 h daily dark period from 2 to 26 d of age (light-dark programme A) at a stocking density of 28.4 chicks/m2. Group 2 had 8 h of darkness daily from 2 to 38 d of age (light-dark programme B) at 24 chicks/m2. The control group had 24 h continuous light at 28.4 chicks/m2. 3. Experiment 2. Behaviour was studied with and without a daily 8 h dark period and at high (30 chicks/m2) and low (18 chicks/m2) stocking densities. 4. Programme B reduced the prevalence of impaired walking ability, corresponding to gait score > 2, when compared with controls. The effect on walking ability corresponding to gait score > 0 approached significance. 5. Both light-dark programmes reduced the occurrence of TD. Programme B (combined with reduced stocking density), however, had the greater effect. 6. Both light-dark programmes reduced the duration of TI, compared with controls (mean = 426 s) Programme B resulted in a larger reduction (alpha = -156.9 s) than programme A (alpha = -117.0). 7. The proportions of chicks drinking, eating, pecking, scratching, standing and performing vertical wing-shakes increased--both when the 8 h dark period and the reduced stocking density were applied separately and in combination (experiment 2). 8. For all behaviours, except standing, the effect of the dark period was largest in broilers kept at the high stocking density (d 40).     

Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance,meat quality,and metabolic status of broilers

Background:Highly automated cage-rearing systems are becoming increasingly popular in China.However,a high stocking density can cause oxidative stress and decrease broiler performance.The tryptophan(TRP) derivative5-hydroxytryptophan(5-HT) has been shown to preserve membrane fluidity in birds suffering from oxidative stress.Therefore,this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary TRP supplementation on performance,breast meat quality and oxidative stress in broilers reared in cages with a high or low stocking density.Methods:Female Arbor Acres broilers(25-d-old,n=144) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments.The birds were fed a diet based on corn,soybean meal,cottonseed meal and corn gluten meal containing either 0.18 or 0.27%TRP and were housed with stocking densities of 11 or 15.4 birds/m2 in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment.Broiler performance was evaluated from d 25 to 42.Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on d 42 and plasma and breast muscle samples were collected to measure biochemical indices.Results:A higher stocking density tended to be associated with reduced weight gain(P0.10),and significantly increased plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT) activity(P0.001).Increased dietary TRP significantly reduced the activities of lactic dehydrogenase and GPT while increasing total cholesterol in the plasma(P0.01),reducing drip loss of breast muscle(P0.10) and improving feed efficiency(P0.10).Conclusions:An increase in dietary TRP,1.5-fold higher than the standard supplementation level,can alleviate oxidative stress as well as improve welfare and feed efficiency in broilers reared in cages with a high stocking density.     

Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance,meat quality,and metabolic status of broilers

Background

Highly automated cage-rearing systems are becoming increasingly popular in China. However, a high stocking density can cause oxidative stress and decrease broiler performance. The tryptophan (TRP) derivative 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) has been shown to preserve membrane fluidity in birds suffering from oxidative stress. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary TRP supplementation on performance, breast meat quality and oxidative stress in broilers reared in cages with a high or low stocking density.

Methods

Female Arbor Acres broilers (25-d-old, n = 144) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. The birds were fed a diet based on corn, soybean meal, cottonseed meal and corn gluten meal containing either 0.18 or 0.27% TRP and were housed with stocking densities of 11 or 15.4 birds/m² in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. Broiler performance was evaluated from d 25 to 42. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on d 42 and plasma and breast muscle samples were collected to measure biochemical indices.

Results

A higher stocking density tended to be associated with reduced weight gain (P < 0.10), and significantly increased plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity (P < 0.001). Increased dietary TRP significantly reduced the activities of lactic dehydrogenase and GPT while increasing total cholesterol in the plasma (P < 0.01), reducing drip loss of breast muscle (P < 0.10) and improving feed efficiency (P < 0.10).

Conclusions

An increase in dietary TRP, 1.5-fold higher than the standard supplementation level, can alleviate oxidative stress as well as improve welfare and feed efficiency in broilers reared in cages with a high stocking density.     

Performance and welfare of broilers as affected by stocking density and zinc bacitracin supplementation

The influence of stocking density (16, 20 and 24 birds/m²) and zinc bacitracin (0 or 100 mg/kg) on the performance, carcass characteristics and some indirect welfare indicators of broilers were examined in a 35‐day trial. The weight gain, feed intake, liveability and carcass characteristics of broilers grown at densities of 16, 20 and 24 birds per m² were similar (P > 0.05). Over the whole trial period, however, feed per gain of birds at the highest density (24 birds/m²) was higher (P < 0.05) than those at the other two densities. Litter quality was poorer at high population densities, but there were no welfare implications as indicated by the lack of effect of density on gait scores and the incidence of hock and fat pad burns. Inclusion of zinc bacitracin improved weight gains and feed intake of broilers over the 35‐day trial period at all three stocking densities tested. Zinc bacitracin supplementation had no influence on the feed per gain of birds reared at densities of 16 and 20 birds/m², but improvements were observed at a density of 24 birds/m². The relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) were lowered (P < 0.05) with increasing density, suggesting a greater degree of stress on the birds. Zinc bacitracin supplementation had no influence on bursa weights of birds reared at densities of 16 and 20 birds/m², but increased the bursa weights of birds reared at a density of 24 birds/m². Overall, these data indicate that, with the removal of in‐feed antibiotics in the future, care should be taken when considering population densities of greater than 20 birds/m².     

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

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.     

Influence of stocking density on the performance, carcass characteristics and selected welfare indicators of broiler chickens

AIM: To compare the effects of four stocking densities (5, 10, 15 or 20 birds per m2) on the performance, carcass characteristics and selected welfare indicators of broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 756 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned as six replicates of 13, 25, 38 and 50 birds per pen, to stocking densities of 2,000, 1,000, 667 and 500 cm2 floor space per bird, respectively. The birds were housed in floor pens in an environmentally controlled room. Normal commercial diets were fed ad libitum and fresh water was freely available throughout the 5-week study period. Liveweights of birds and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. Data on carcass parameters and welfare indicators (moisture, gait scores, feather scores, breast and hip lesions, and foot pad and hock burns) were obtained on Day 35. Adrenal glands were removed at slaughter, weighed and examined histologically to determine the total proportion of cortical and medullary tissues. RESULTS: During the study, the birds at the lowest density grew faster (p<0.001-0.01) and consumed more (p<0.001- 0.01) feed than those at the other three stocking densities. The liveweight gains and feed intake of birds reared at densities of 10, 15 and 20 birds per m2 were similar (p=0.11-0.83 and p=0.17-0.57, respectively). Stocking density had no influence on the feed/weight gain, mortality or carcass characteristics. No breast or hip lesions were observed in carcasses from any of the groups. The weight and structure of the adrenal glands were similar across all groups although the staining of medullary tissue of birds was most intense in the highest stocking density group. As stocking density increased, so did moisture and gait score, hock and foot pad burn scores, and the feather score was adversely affected. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that the relationship between stocking density and productivity traits was not linear in nature, in accordance with other studies. Under the conditions of the current study, the performance, mortality and carcass characteristics of broilers grown at densities of 10, 15 and 20 birds per m2 were similar. There were some welfare implications at high population densities as indicated by adverse effects on litter quality, gait scores and the incidence of hock and foot pad burns.     

饲养密度对黄羽优质肉鸡生产性能和屠宰指标的影响

鲁禽Ⅰ号麻鸡公雏饲养至2周龄,选取体重均匀的健康鸡1200只,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每重复100只,研究饲养密度(SD)对黄羽优质肉鸡生产性能和屠宰指标的影响。1、2、3、4组SD分别为10、15、20、25只/m2。饲料营养按照《鸡的饲养标准(NY/T33—2004)》黄羽肉仔鸡营养需要配制,常规饲养管理和免疫,每周测定体重、耗料,8周龄屠宰。结果如下:①3、4、5、6周龄的体重(BW)和每周体增重(BWG)差异不显著(P>0.05),但自5周龄开始,第1组体重有大于其它各组的趋势;8周龄体重(BW8)和7～8周龄体增重(BWG7～8)第1组显著大于第4组(P<0.05),和2、3组差异不显著,而且BW8和BWG7～8与SD均有显著的负相关关系(P<0.05)。②3、4周耗料量(FI)各组差异不显著(P>0.05),5周的FI第1组显著大于其它各组(P<0.05),6周的FI第1组显著大于第4组(P<0.05),和2、3组差异不显著;3～6周龄耗料量(FI3～6)和SD有显著的负相关关系(P<0.05);7～8周龄耗料量(FI7～8)各组差异不显著(P>0.05)。③3、4、5、6周的料重比(FI/BWG)各组差异不显著,但3～6周龄FI/BWG随SD增大显著降低,和SD有显著的线性负相关关系(P<0.05);7～8周龄FI/BWG各组差异不显著(P>0.05)。④8周龄屠宰率、腹脂率、胸肉水分含量各组差异不显著(P>0.05);腿肉水分含量、胸肉和腿肉肌内脂肪组间有显著差异,且和SD有显著的二次相关关系(P<0.05)。⑤综合鸡的生产性能和肉质指标,本试验中6周龄之前第4组的饲养密度(25只/m2)最适宜;7～8周龄以第3组的饲养密度(20只/m2)最适宜。     

Effect of strain,sex and stocking rate on the performance and carcass yield of caged broilers

1. Performances of two broiler strains grown in cages at two different stocking rates to 8 weeks of age were compared.

2. High stocking rate (18 birds/m²) adversely affected weight and food conversion efficiency. Performance of females was more sensitive to stocking rate than that of males. Stocking rate x strain interactions in weight and food conversion efficiency at 8 weeks were highly significant.

3. Carcass dissection showed a marked difference between males and females.

4. Stocking rate merits further attention in respect of strain and sex.     

黄连提取物对高饲养密度下肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响

文章旨在研究高密度饲养条件下肉鸡日粮添加黄连提取物对其生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响.试验将640只平均体重为(42.12±0.16)g的肉鸡随机分为4组(T1～T4),每组4个重复,每个重复40只.T1组肉鸡在高密度(20/m2)下饲喂基础日粮,T2组肉鸡在正常饲养密度(10只/m2)下饲喂基础日粮,T3组...     

Effects of stocking density,light and perches on broiler growth

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stocking density, light intensity and light color on broiler growth. The experiment consisted of four 35‐day phases during each of which 320 chickens were surveyed. The research was performed at stocking densities of four and six birds/m². Illuminances of 15 and 30 lx were obtained through commercial lamps with 4000 K and 6000 K color temperatures. Lighting was used 17 h a day, between 06.00 and 23.00 hours (17 L:7 D). The results showed a decrease in body, carcass, breast and thighs weight (P < 0.05) with the increase in stocking density. Body weight decreased by 10.5% and carcass weight decreased by 9.4% at six birds/m² stocking density. Contrastingly, no differences were found for the tested light colors. Increasing illuminance from 15 to 30 lx caused a 1.9% decrease in body weight. The analysis of the effect of perches revealed that using perches significantly increased body (2.5%) and breast weight (11.8%). The interactions between light intensity or color and stocking density and between light intensity and light color were analyzed.     

Effects of different stocking densities on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of finishing broilers

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of broilers. One thousand four hundred and forty 22‐day‐old Lingnan Yellow broilers were randomly allotted to five different stocking density groups (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds per m²). Each group consisted of three replicates. The results showed that 8 and 10 birds/m² groups had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) than the others (p < 0.05). Heat shock protein 70 (HSP₇₀) in the group of 16 birds/m² had the highest levels (p < 0.05). The group of 16 birds/m² had the lowest total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activities in blood serum (p < 0.05), and significantly increased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) concentration compared to the groups of 8 and 10 birds/m² (p < 0.05). In liver, the group of eight birds/m² had higher T‐AOC levels than that of 12, 14, and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05) and also higher catalase (CAT) activities than that of 14 and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05); the group of 10 birds/m² had the highest T‐SOD activities among all groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the above results suggest that stocking density of broilers up to 8 or 10 birds/m² can prevent the negative effects on growth performance and welfare parameters in broilers.     

Influence of stocking density and layer age on production traits and egg quality in Japanese quail

1. Japanese quail hens were housed from 6 to 26 weeks of age in cages providing areas of 150, 180, 210 and 240 cm²/bird.

2. Body weight gain, age at 50% egg production, mortality, hen‐day egg production and food conversion values showed significant improvement with proportionate increase in cage space per layer.

3. Egg weight gradually increased with age but shell thickness was influenced neither by age of the hen nor by stocking density.

4. Yolk index and colour were superior in the lowest stocking density (more cage space) group; other egg quality traits and egg weight were not influenced by stocking density.

5. The albumen index, internal quality unit, yolk index and yolk colour values increased with age.     

Effect of choice feeding on the performance of broilers

1. Male broilers from 21 to 56 d of age were fed their diet either mixed as pellets or mash, or as separate ingredients presented on a free‐choice basis, to determine whether feeding method affected growth, carcase composition or profitability to 56 d of age.

2. The 12 treatments were: 2 completely balanced diets fed as mash or pellets, 8 choice fed diets containing maize or sorghum as the energy source (whole or mash) and protein concentrate (pellets or mash) and 2 unbalanced mixed mash diets containing 50% grain (maize or sorghum) plus 50% protein concentrate.

3. For the choice treatments, one food, grain (maize or sorghum) or protein concentrate (mash or pellets), was placed in each feeder. Broilers fed the complete pelleted or mash diet received the diet in both feeders. Food consumption was recorded weekly. Broilers were weighed at 42 and 56 d of age.

4. There were no significant differences between treatments and the pelleted control diet with regard to body weight, food consumed, food efficiency, carcase ash, dressing percentage and mortality.

5. Choice fed broilers receiving the energy source as whole grains had larger gizzards while the higher protein diets (50/50) resulted in a higher carcase moisture and protein but lower carcase fat than the broilers fed the pelleted control diet.

6. The main advantage of choice feeding appears to be the economical savings of feeding whole grains as the energy source.     

高温与高密度对黄羽肉鸡生产性能和胴体品质的影响

试验选用 2 8日龄健康快大岭南黄羽肉鸡 ,采用 2 (高温或低温 )× 2 (高密度或低密度 )因子随机分组设计 ,根据体重和性别一致原则随机分为 4组 ,每组 4个重复 ,试验饲粮各组一致。试验期 4 2d。结果表明 :高温使试鸡平均日增重和采食量均极显著降低 (P <0 .0 1) ,饮水量显著或极显著提高 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,5 0～ 71日龄阶段饲料转化率显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;试鸡试验第 2 ,4 ,5周体温和第 1周呼吸数显著或极显著提高 (P <0 .0 5或P<0 .0 1) ,腺胃重显著增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,肌胃重和胸肌重显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。增加饲养密度 ,试鸡 2 8～ 4 9日龄阶段采食量显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,5 0～ 71日龄阶段平均日增重与饲料转化率均显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,试鸡腺胃重显著提高 (P <0 .0 5 )。环境温度与饲养密度对试鸡 2 8～ 4 9日龄阶段采食量的影响存在极显著互作效应 (P <0 .0 1) ,对第 4周体温和第 1,3周呼吸数影响存在显著或极显著互作 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1)。     

Influence of early or late start of first feeding on growth and immune phenotype of broilers

1. The changes in body weight (BW) gain, immune phenotype and viability of commercial broilers, either given feed and water immediately after hatch or food-deprived for 24 or 48 h, were analysed in order to study the effect of early or late start of first feeding. 2. Chickens fed immediately had a 6.1% higher BW at slaughter age than those food-deprived for 48 h, while those chickens food-deprived for 24 h only had a 1.4% higher weight than those deprived for 48 h. 3. Those fed immediately and those food-deprived for 24 h did not differ significantly in BW. 4. Humoral immune status was measured as specific IgG antibody production and concentration of IgM and IgG in serum. Cellular immunological variables were the proportion of circulating leukocyte subpopulations and the relative expression of leukocyte surface markers, including the relative expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) antigens. 5. Differences were found between the three feeding treatments in the relative expression of MHC class II molecules, the relative expression of BU-1 molecules, and the ratio of CD4:CD8 single positive cells. 6. For the MHC class II molecules, a lower expression was found on the surface of mainly B-cells in chickens fed immediately compared with the two other feeding regimes. 7. These results suggest that food deprivation for 48 h may be unfavourable to the growth, viability, and the immune performance of broilers, whereas deprivation for 24 h appears to be acceptable for growth and normal immunological performance.