Study: Behaviour differences linked to broiler growth rates
Slow-growing chickens displayed behaviours more closely associated with positive welfare when compared with conventional broiler breeds.
Research carried out at the University of Arkansas explored the impacts of genetic strain, stocking density and the comparison of physiological versus chronological age between 2 genetic strains on broiler behaviour.
The researchers reviewed video recordings of the birds at specific intervals to track behaviours, such as walking, standing and preening, which are signs of positive animal welfare.
Observing slow-growing and conventional broilers
Their study, , ‘Effects of genetic strain, stocking density, and age on broiler behavior’, published in the journal Poultry Science, found that a larger percentage of slow-growing broilers were observed standing, walking and preening while more conventional broilers sat in a lateral posture. The effects of stocking density were minimal, so the number of birds in an area did not have a significant impact on broiler behaviour.
Rosie Whittle, poultry science postdoctoral fellow with the Centre for Food Animal Wellbeing and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, said it was important to stress that while the study focussed on 2 types of broilers “all genetic companies have a different recipe for chickens”.
Genetic strains and behaviour
Therefore, in tracking behaviour, she said it was important to be aware of the possibility that “one genetic strain of broilers behaves completely different to the other”.
Shawna Weimer, assistant professor of poultry science and director of the Centre for Food Animal Wellbeing, said animal welfare was quite dynamic and emphasised that further investigation of broiler behaviour should be undertaken. Weimer also stressed that the research was focused on understanding the effect of growth rate on broiler behaviour and not what was best for companies or consumers.
The project was supported by Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences and the University of Arkansas Center for Food Animal Wellbeing.
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