Animal welfare and intensive production of turkey broilers1

Points that raise animal welfare concerns in the turkey broiler production chain are reviewed. Genetic selection of fast growing strains has increased locomotory problems and made natural mating impossible. A range of different photoperiods are used in practice (constant daylength, increased dayleng...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWorld's poultry science journal Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 143 - 152
Main Author Martrenchar, A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press on behalf of World's Poultry Science Association 01.06.1999
Subjects
slaughterin
Turkey broilers
lighting regimen
stocking density
transport
welfare
depopulation
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Summary:Points that raise animal welfare concerns in the turkey broiler production chain are reviewed. Genetic selection of fast growing strains has increased locomotory problems and made natural mating impossible. A range of different photoperiods are used in practice (constant daylength, increased daylength with age, intermittent lighting) and have many consequences for welfare. High stocking densities have several drawbacks such as poor air quality, cannibalism and impairment of the gait of the birds. Methods of control against cannibalism, which include keeping birds at low light intensities or beak trimming, also raise welfare questions. Studies on the determination of optimal group size and on the possibility of enriching the pen environment are required. Depopulation procedures, transport and slaughter are further causes of poor animal welfare and would also benefit from further research.
ISSN:0043-9339
1743-4777
DOI:10.1079/WPS19990010