Behaviour and environmental enrichment in broiler breeders.

Abstract

AbstractManagement practices in broiler breeder production are mostly based on years of farming experience and trial-and-error attempts to address problems as they arise. Some of the problems observed during breeding may be a consequence of the discontinuity in environmental conditions from the rearing to the breeding phase. Rearing takes place in a two-dimensional world, while during breeding birds will have to jump on and off and navigate around farm furniture to find and gain access to nest boxes, feeders and drinkers. Without prior experience this may be a difficult task. Environmental enrichment techniques may help to alleviate this problem as birds gain experience early in life in using the three-dimensional space and would be better prepared for the more complex breeder facility. Enrichment provided by perches, cover panels or other forms of visual barriers not only can reduce the stress of the transition among facilities but may also have a significant impact in reducing the incidence of floor eggs, disturbances, aggression and over-mating. In addition, the presence of cover panels during breeding has been shown to have a positive impact on reproductive performance, and the initial cost of implementation can soon be recovered with additional economic profit. It is clear that environmental enrichment programmes have the potential to benefit animals from the health and welfare standpoint and also improve the management and efficiency of breeding farms.