In the face of threats such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), one of the most pressing challenges for the poultry industry is to continually evaluate and improve depopulation strategies.
Responsible antibiotic use is not a new concept to the poultry or other food-animal production sectors, but, says Randy Singer, DVM, PhD, it’s important to put the conversation back in the context of the Veterinarian’s Oath, and first ensure the safety, health and overall well-being of the animals.
Increased attention on animal welfare is driving the US poultry industry to innovate and work collaboratively to meet rising expectations of caring for laying hens.
Once the market weight is achieved in turkeys, they are herded, loaded and transported to slaughter plants for stunning and processing, but these events of known as “live haul” can pose risks to animal welfare throughout the process.
Stocking density is a key determinant of profits from a broiler operation as revenues per unit of space increase with increasing stocking density. However, overcrowding due to high stocking density can lead to negative behavior and welfare consequences.
The pre-slaughter phase for broiler chickens is a period that contains many stressors and risks for animal welfare. Understanding the factors that can lead to negative welfare outcomes is important to make improvements in broiler chicken welfare during the pre-slaughter phase.
The move to cage-free egg production has spawned a new generation of aviary systems available for hen housing. The question now is how well the new systems perform when balancing egg production and profitability with bird welfare.
By Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, DACPV
Chief Science Officer
Perdue Farms
Lighting has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to manage and optimize layer performance. It profoundly impacts production, health and overall welfare.
Enrichment improves the environment of an animal, to meet their behavioral needs and ultimately improve their welfare. Although the research related to enrichments for broiler breeders is sparse, there are several different types of enrichments that have been shown to be beneficial. In this article, Marcela Quino and Bethany Baker-Cook, PhD, Auburn University describe a few of these enrichments that are particularly effective for broiler breeders.
Litter and its management are an essential part of bird management and ensuring bird welfare. Dr. Bethany Baker-Cook discusses the importance of managing litter properly throughout the production cycle.
By Nathan Griffith, BS
Graduate student, Animal Welfare/Behavior
Purdue University
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