Abstract
Simple SummaryThe stressors affecting chickens in farming systems differ from those confronting their wild ancestors; thus, the ability to cope with an outdoor environment may have been modified. There is a growing body of literature that recognises the importance of allowing chickens to express their natural behaviour by providing outdoor access. However, studies investigating the effects of offering outdoor access to housed meat chickens in the tropics are scarce. Therefore, the effects of allowing chickens outdoor access, with two indoor space allowances, on their growth, behaviour and responses to stress were assessed. Some blood parameters indicated that outdoor access reduced stress, but the behavioural effects of providing outdoor access depended on indoor stocking density. Birds at the high stocking density with outdoor access were found standing for longer periods of time and those at the high stocking density and no outdoor access were observed walking less and lying more than the other three groups. It is concluded that there were welfare benefits of outdoor access, principally in terms of increased activity, but slower growth resulted in lighter birds at the end of the study.Studies investigating the welfare of commercial-line broiler chickens raised in houses with outdoor access in the tropics are scarce, and none have investigated whether responses vary according to indoor conditions. Hence, we assessed the effects of providing outdoor access at two indoor stocking densities on broiler chickens’ growth, behaviour, stress responses and immunity in a tropical region of Mexico. One hundred and sixty chickens were assigned to one of four treatments in a factorial design: with or without outdoor access and low or high stocking density indoors. Ad libitum sampling was used to build a purpose-designed ethogram. Scan sampling was used to record the number of birds engaged in each activity of this ethogram, both indoors and outdoors. Heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and serum corticosterone levels were tested in weeks four and six of age. When the birds were 42 days old, they were slaughtered, and the bursa and spleen harvested and weighed. In an interaction between stocking density and outdoor access, birds at the high stocking density with no outdoor pens spent the least time walking and preening and more time lying (p < 0.05). Birds given outdoor access foraged more, but only at indoor low stocking densities (p < 0.05). Outdoor access reduced heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, indicating reduced stressor response. Birds with low stocking density indoors and outdoor access appeared more responsive to stressors, with elevated corticosterone and reduced spleen and bursa weights (p < 0.05). There were welfare benefits of outdoor access, principally in terms of increased activity, which were reflected in slower growth in the birds with outdoor access.
Highlights
There is growing demand for poultry meat worldwide, in developing countries partly in response to population growth and growing affluence [1]
Given that the microclimate for chickens in most tropical conditions accords with their evolutionary environment, outdoor access could potentially improve their welfare without greatly increasing costs but it is still necessary to develop standards that ensure the outdoor area is properly functioning as a form of enrichment for the birds [6]
The development of a catalogue of behaviours to assess the welfare of chickens was an initial objective of this project
Summary
There is growing demand for poultry meat worldwide, in developing countries partly in response to population growth and growing affluence [1]. Poultry industries have intensified, adopting high stocking densities and rapid growth genetics to maximise output and profitability. Crowded living space can have a significant positive impact on farmer incomes, which generally increase with stocking density [2]. Decrease in space allowance is likely to have detrimental effects on the welfare of the birds [3,4,5]. Given that the microclimate for chickens in most tropical conditions accords with their evolutionary environment, outdoor access could potentially improve their welfare without greatly increasing costs but it is still necessary to develop standards that ensure the outdoor area is properly functioning as a form of enrichment for the birds [6]. The possibility of predation, sporadic feed availability and transmission of diseases from wildlife must be recognised, but on the positive side, it could provide a valuable source of nutrients for poultry, especially since tropical ecosystems have a vast natural potential for production of forage plants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
