Abstract
Scientific information on the welfare of broilers reared in alternative systems is scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the welfare of free-range broilers using the Welfare Quality® protocol. Free-range broilers reared in ten farms were observed, and measures were made in broilers of five of these farms. The collected data were transformed into scores (0-100), with higher scores indicating better welfare, except for emotional states. Prevalence percentages were calculated for the remaining data. Median (min-max) scores were 81 (63-98) for lameness, 93 (83-99) for hock burn on the farm, 100 (95-100) for plumage cleanliness, 35 (8-70) for podermatitis on the farm, 56 (26-88) for density, 53 (20-53) for dust, 34 (14-67) for litter quality, 93 (41-100) for drinkers, and 100 (100-100) for birds panting or huddling on the farm. The following average (min-max) prevalence percentages were obtained: total mortality 2.0% (1.4-7.2%), culling 0.0% (0.0-2.2%), feed withdrawal time 875 min (715-945 min), water withdrawal time 220 min (170-275 min), dead on arrival at the processing plant 0.00% (0.00-0.01%), broken wings 0%, (0-0%), inefficient stunning 3.9% (1.3-6.7%), pre-stun shock 49.3% (26.7-56.8%), hepatitis 4.5% (1.8-11.0%), bruising 9.3% (6.7-16.7%), and ascites 0% (0-0%). The negative broiler welfare points detected were pododermatitis, litter quality, density, dust, culling, feed withdrawal time, inefficient stunning, pre-stun shock, and hepatitis. The positive points identified were the absence of birds panting or huddling on the farm; low prevalence of lameness, hock lesions, dead on arrival, broken wings, and ascites; good plumage cleanliness scores, and short water withdrawal time.
Highlights
The poultry industry is an important segment of the agribusiness of several countries
The positive points identified were the absence of birds panting or huddling on the farm; low prevalence of lameness, hock lesions, dead on arrival, broken wings, and ascites; good plumage cleanliness scores, and short water withdrawal time
In order to apply the protocol, birds were kept inside the barn and individual birds were randomly caught to evaluate plumage cleanliness, pododermatitis on the farm, and hock burn lesions on the farm
Summary
The poultry industry is an important segment of the agribusiness of several countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimate that, by the end of 2020, global production of poultry meat will have grown 26.3%, producing 125.5 million tons of meat, compared with the 99.3 million tons produced in 2010 (Produção Animal Avicultura, 2011). There has been changes in the consumption of poultry products. New market niches have emerged, seeking for products from animals reared in systems different from those applied in industrial production. The increasing availability of organic products derived from organic systems clearly show the changes in consumer’s demands. Global sales of organic foods and beverages increased 43% from 2002 to 2005. These products are currently sold in more than 120 countries, and Brazil is the eighth largest market (Willer & Yussefi, 2007). In addition to food safety, the process of purchase of animal products includes other issues
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