Poultry

Methods Validated in a Research Setting including Modifications for Producers to Measure On-Farm Commercial Broiler Welfare

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Abstract

Several broiler chicken behavior and welfare measures adapted from the National Chicken Council (NCC) animal welfare guidelines and audit checklist were tested on-farm for ease of use and applicability to commercial broiler producers. Broiler welfare has become an increasing concern to consumers and meat-producing companies, with more and more companies and restaurants pledging to improve broiler bird housing and well-being. Thus, the need for improved, science-based welfare audits is on the rise. Six hundred Ross 308 broilers, with a subset exposed to environmental enrichment, were used as an example flock to test welfare measures. Data associated with treatment outcomes are purposefully omitted in order to present a purely methodological report that may be used as a resource to poultry producers on-farm. Successful adaptations or novel additions to the audit guidelines validated in a research setting are recommended to producers with modifications to suit a commercial environment.

How to Cite:

Meyer, M., Johnson, A. K. & Bobeck, E., (2019) “Methods Validated in a Research Setting including Modifications for Producers to Measure On-Farm Commercial Broiler Welfare”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 16(1).