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Wilhelmsson, Sofia, 2016. Comparison of behaviour and health of two broiler hybrids with different growth rates. Second cycle, A2E. Uppsala: SLU, Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231)

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Abstract

Until recently fast growing broiler hybrids have been used exclusively in both conventional and organic broiler production in Sweden. This study aimed to quantify differences in behaviour and health between a fast growing hybrid (Ross 308) and a slower growing hybrid (Rowan Ranger). The chickens were reared for 10 weeks in a semi-organic production environment with organic feed and space allowances, but without outdoor access. In the study, 218 Ross 308 and 211 Rowan Ranger day old chicks were split into 20 groups with 10 replicates of each hybrid. Registrations of behaviour and health were done at 2, 6 and 9 weeks of age and mortality was recorded continuously from start to slaughter. Behaviours were recorded through scan sampling and continuous observations. The day after the behavioural observations, a welfare assessment was performed according to the Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for Poultry. The results showed that Rowan Ranger chickens were more active than Ross as they were standing more, furthermore, Rowan Ranger were perching more than Ross. Ross chickens had more leg and feet problems than Rowan Ranger chickens, i.e. worse gait score (decreased moving ability), foot pad dermatitis score and hook burn score (inflammation and lesions on the skin). As a result of more severe leg problems, a higher proportion of the Ross compared to the Rowan Ranger birds were culled. Both Ross and Rowan Ranger showed health problems at older ages, likely due to increased body weight in both hybrids. However, results imply that fast growing Ross 308 chickens are poorly suited for a long rearing period (>10 weeks), whereas the slower growing Rowan Ranger chickens seem better suited for the rearing period of 81 days stated by the organic regulations.

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Fram tills nyligen har enbart snabbväxande slaktkycklingar använts i såväl konventionell som ekologisk kycklingproduktion i Sverige. Syftet med det här examensarbetet var att kvantifiera skillnader i beteende och hälsa mellan en snabbväxande hybrid (Ross 308) och en mer långsamväxande hybrid (Rowan Ranger). Kycklingarna föddes upp under 10 veckor i semi-ekologiska förhållanden, med foder och utrymme enligt ekologiska regler men utan tillgång till utevistelse. I studien ingick 218 stycken Ross 308 och 211 stycken Rowan Ranger-kycklingar, som delades upp i 20 grupper med 10 upprepningar av varje hybrid. Registreringar av beteende och hälsa gjordes när kycklingarna var 2, 6 och 9 veckor gamla och dödlighet registrerades kontinuerligt från insättning till slakt. Beteenden registrerades med Scan sampling samt kontinuerliga observationer. Dagen efter beteendeobservationerna gjordes en välfärdsbedömning i enlighet med Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for Poultry. Resultaten visade att Rowan Ranger-kycklingarna var aktivare än Ross då de stod upp mer och de använde också sittpinnarna mer frekvent. Ross hade mer ben- och fot problem än Rowan Ranger, det vill säga högre värden för gait score (sämre rörelseförmåga) samt foot pad dermatitis- och hook burn score (hudinflammationer på fotsula och has). En högre andel Ross kycklingar avlivades på grund av svåra benproblem jämfört med Rowan Ranger-kycklingarna. Trots att både Ross- och Rowan Ranger-kycklingarna uppvisade ökade hälsoproblem med ökad ålder och vikt så visar resultaten att Ross-kycklingar är sämre lämpade för en lång uppfödningsperiod (>10 veckor) än Rowan Ranger.

Main title:Comparison of behaviour and health of two broiler hybrids with different growth rates
Authors:Wilhelmsson, Sofia
Supervisor:Yngvesson, Jenny
Examiner:Berg, Lotta
Series:Studentarbete / Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Institutionen för husdjurens miljö och hälsa
Volume/Sequential designation:637
Year of Publication:2016
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:VY001 Agricultural Science Programme - Animal Science 270 HEC
Supervising department:(VH) > Dept. of Animal Environment and Health (until 231231)
Keywords:Broiler, chicken, welfare, health, behaviour, gait, fear, perching, dustbathing
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-5188
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-5188
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Animal husbandry
Language:English
Deposited On:02 Mar 2016 14:40
Metadata Last Modified:02 Mar 2016 14:41

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