Free-range Access Research Articles

Epidemiological study of Newcastle disease in chicken farms in China, 2019-2022.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a significant poultry pathogen, causing ongoing economic losses in China's poultry industry. To understand its circulation and risk factors associated with farm infection, we carried out an epidemiological study on 1,065 farms across 18 provinces from 2019 and 2022. We collected a total of 43,696 swabs and tested them for NDV using an RT-PCR that targets the partial F gene. The overall bird-level NDV prevalence in the 4 years (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022) were 1.49% (95%CI: 1.27, 1.71%), 1.24% (95%CI: 1.04, 1.44%), 0.59% (95%CI: 0.45, 0.74%), and 0.44% (95%CI: 0.31, 0.58%) respectively, while the farm-level prevalence of the 4 years were 11.27% (95%CI: 7.93, 14.60%), 13.85% (95%CI: 10.10, 17.61%), 12.63% (95%CI: 8.00, 17.26%), and 10.71% (95%CI: 6.38, 15.04%), respectively. The result also showed a high degree of variation in farm-level prevalence (ranging from 0 to 90%) across the provinces. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that four factors, namely layer farm (OR = 2.282, 95% CI: 1.211, 4.298), broiler farm (OR = 2.339, 95% CI: 1.206, 4.534), using mixed feed (OR = 2.973, 95% CI: 1.962, 4.505), and indoor housing with some free-range access (OR = 1.788, 95%CI: 1.096, 2.917), increased the risk of NDV infection on farms. We isolated 104 NDVs, which were all classified into Class II by the phylogenetic analysis, but from two genotypes: four belonged to genotype I, while the remaining 100 mainly belonged to genotype II, indicating that the circulating NDVs were primarily LaSota-like low pathogenic viruses. We used random forest algorithm to established an occurrence risk model, The accuracy of the model was 90.81%. This large-scale investigation revealed NDV prevalence at bird, farm, and province levels over the 4 years. It also identified risk factors associated with farm NDV infections. The findings provide new insights into the epidemiology of NDV in China and offer references for global NDV control.

Determining calf traceability and cow–calf relationships in extensive farming using geolocation collars and BLE ear tags

Extensive farming is often considered very beneficial to animals for its potential to enhance animal welfare, providing animals with free-range access to their natural environment where they can engage in innate behaviors like grazing and exploration. However, despite these benefits, extensive production still faces welfare and health challenges due to unpredictable weather conditions and limited supervision by stockholders. Moreover, increasing consumer demand for information regarding food quality, safety, and production conditions poses a challenge for extensive farming, where animals are less controlled. Precision livestock farming (PLF) emerges as a possible solution by enabling the continuous real-time monitoring of the health, welfare, and behavior of animals. A novel approach combining geolocation collars for cows and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) ear tags for calves appears promising to enhance traceability and monitoring in extensive farming. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including limitations in the data transmission capacity and associated costs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining geolocation collars and BLE ear tags for monitoring calf traceability and cow–calf relationships across three scenarios: 1) Equilibrated: same collar/ear tag ratio; good coverage; 2) intermediate: more collars than ear tags; fair coverage; 3) worst: more ear tags than collars; lousy coverage. Our results indicate that the equilibrated scenario (ES) with an equal number of geolocation collars and BLE ear tags, was the best scenario, demonstrating the highest fix rate (22%) and the longest mean consecutive days of detecting the same ear tag (22.30 days), followed by the intermediate scenario (IS) and the worst scenario. In all scenarios, there was a mean period of 14–15 d without detecting a calf. However, this shortcoming can be overcome as calves usually graze alongside their mothers, ensuring comprehensive traceability in farm breeding. Additionally, by comparing differences in the number of ear tags received from offspring compared to other calves, the BLE ear tags successfully associated every mother with their calf in the ES and IS. Finally, this valuable information, would enable the development of a traceability system that ensures transparency and reliability throughout the supply chain and could allow consumers to access to product information related to animal welfare.

Easier said than done! Organic farmers consider free-ranging important for laying hen welfare but outdoor areas need more shelter – important gaps between research and practice

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the design and management of free-range areas and their use by birds on commercial organic laying hen farms in Sweden and to document farmers’ perspectives on outdoor access for poultry. 2. Eleven Swedish organic laying hen farms were visited. The farmers were interviewed about general farm management, bird health and behaviour and outdoor access. The free-range areas were assessed in terms of proportion covered by protective (high) vegetation and any artificial shelters provided. The numbers of hens ranging at different distances from the house were recorded twice during the day. 3. The outdoor area within 250m from the house contained 0–5% vegetation cover on six of the farms and at least 80% pasture on seven farms. On 10 farms, no more than 13% of the flock was observed outdoors. Of the hens observed in the free-range area, the median proportion ranging within 20m from the house or veranda per observation event was 99% (IQR=55–100%), confirming reports by the farmers. 4. Free-range access was considered important by all farmers, primarily for welfare reasons and most agreed that protective vegetation cover and/or artificial shelters were important in encouraging free-ranging. However, there was marked variation among the farmers in their suggestions on how to attract hens outside.

Riboflavin supply strategies in male turkey production including either supply of alfalfa silage or free-range access in organic farming

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine an optimal riboflavin supply strategy for an organically reared and fattened male fast-growing turkey line including supply of silage and free-range access. A total of 768 one-day old B.U.T. 6 turkey poults were allocated to one out of four riboflavin supply strategies and raised in 5 feeding phases (P1-P5). In each phase, concentrate based diets were formulated with different riboflavin contents. In the “Low” diet (L) riboflavin content was according to the NRC/GfE riboflavin recommendations (4.0, 4.0, 2.9, 2.4 and 2.4Â mg/kg diet in P1-P5) and the “High” diet (H) it was twice the level of the L diet. In the rearing (P1Â +Â P2) and fattening period (P3-P5) animals received either the L or H diet resulting in 4 riboflavin supply strategies (LL, LH, HL and HH). From day 56 (P3-P5) different feeding strategies were provided: concentrate based diets only (C), C with additional alfalfa silage (C+Si) or C with free-range access to pasture (C+Pa). Results showed that the riboflavin strategy had no influence on growth and slaughter performance or on the liver measurements (PÂ >Â 0.05). As compared to C, supplemental silage or free-range access decreased the total concentrate feed intake by about 5Â kg (8%) and 10Â kg (16%) for the C+Pa and C+Si groups, respectively (PÂ <Â 0.05). However, at day 140 final body weights of all treatments were on a high level. The dressing percentage of all groups was equal, but the breast muscle portion of the C+Pa treatment was significantly higher than in the other groups (PÂ <Â 0.05). In conclusion riboflavin recommendations on the level of NRC/GfE are sufficient for fast growing male turkeys in organic farming systems. High performance levels can be realized using supplemental alfalfa silage or pasture from free-range access with a simultaneous reduction in concentrate feed intake.

Photosensitisation and green egg yolks in laying hens caused by the feeding of ensiled alfalfa leaves

ABSTRACT 1. The present study was carried out to determine the effects of feeding ensiled alfalfa leaves (ALS) as an alternative protein source to laying hens under the terms of an organic diet. Due to the occurrence of unexpected negative health effects and undesirable egg yolk pigmentation in the test groups the trial was prematurely stopped and further analysis was conducted to evaluate the responsible substances. 2. Body weights of the test groups decreased significantly already in week 2 of the trial. Performance variables dropped. Olive green pigmented egg yolks were found in groups fed diets containing ALS. Severe comb necrosis occurred in the experimental group receiving the highest level of ALS (20%) combined with the option of free-range access and therefore natural light exposure. 3. The noxious agent found in ALS, blood serum and egg yolk was the photosensitising chlorophyll derivate pheophorbid a (PPBa), deriving from a strong depletion of chlorophyll contained in the alfalfa leaves. PPBa caused the olive-green pigmentation found in yolks and led to photosensitivity in groups with the highest level of ALS in the diet in combination with light exposure. 4. By aiming for high protein and amino acid levels, harvesting and processing have, unintentionally and initially unnoticed, led to a strong accumulation of phototoxic PPBa. From these results it is strongly advised not to include ensiled alfalfa leaves as a protein source in organic laying hen diets.

Demographic, Husbandry, and Biosecurity Factors Associated with the Presence of Campylobacter spp. in Small Poultry Flocks in Ontario, Canada.

This study is part of a 2 year disease surveillance project conducted to establish the prevalence of poultry and zoonotic pathogens, including Campylobacter spp., among small poultry flocks in Ontario, Canada. For each post-mortem submission to the Animal Health Laboratory, a pooled sample of cecal tissue was cultured for Campylobacter spp., and a husbandry and biosecurity questionnaire was completed by the flock owner (n = 153). Using both laboratory and questionnaire data, our objective was to investigate demographic, husbandry, and biosecurity factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter spp. in small flocks. Two multivariable logistic regression models were built. In the farm model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were higher in turkeys, and when birds were housed in a mixed group with different species and/or types of birds. The odds were lower when antibiotics were used within the last 12 months, and when birds had at least some free-range access. The effect of pest control depended on the number of birds at risk. In the coop model, the odds of Campylobacter spp. were lower when owners wore dedicated clothing when entering the coop. These results can be used to limit the transmission of Campylobacter spp. from small poultry flocks to humans.

Behaviour in Slower-Growing Broilers and Free-Range Access on Organic Farms in Sweden.

Simple SummaryOutdoor access, environmental enrichment and more slower-growing hybrids are means to improve broiler welfare in organic production. Two slower-growing hybrids are currently reared on organic farms in Sweden, but knowledge of bird welfare is limited. Therefore this study surveyed chicken behaviour, including free-range use and features of this, on Swedish organic farms. The results showed that, even towards the end of their production cycle, the chickens were agile enough to ascend various objects for perching. The birds were highly motivated to do so and were provided with a variety of items for perching across farms, but the quantity appeared to be insufficient. On average, almost half of all birds observed on the floor, were in a sitting posture. Free-range areas generally lacked sufficient vegetation cover or artificial shelters, and chickens were mainly observed ranging close to the house. This is novel information on the behaviour and free-range use of two slower-growing hybrids on Swedish organic farms. Key improvements to the indoor environment (e.g., environmental enrichment) and outdoor environment (e.g., vegetation or artificial shelter) could increase broiler welfare. Further research should explore feasible ways for farmers to implement such measures.Two slower-growing hybrids (Rowan Ranger and Hubbard) are currently reared in organic broiler production in Sweden, but knowledge of bird welfare on commercial farms is limited. This study examined chicken behaviour, including free-range use and features of this, in order to enhance knowledge, describe the current situation and identify practical solutions on Swedish organic broiler farms. Eight of 12 available farms were visited once each, when average flock age was 55 ± 6 days. Farmer interviews were followed by avoidance distance tests, group behavioural observations, and assessment of use of environmental enrichment and free-range by the chickens. On average, almost half of all birds observed indoors were in a sitting posture. However, even when approaching slaughter age, the chickens were agile enough to perch and used some of the variety of items provided for perching, but the quantity of environmental enrichment equipment appeared to be insufficient. Free-range areas generally lacked sufficient vegetation cover or artificial shelters, and chickens were predominantly observed ranging near the house. Further research should explore feasible ways for farmers to make key improvements to the indoor and outdoor environment, in order to improve broiler welfare.

Effect of range use on endo- and ectoparasite infestation in italian organic egg production

In organic farms, hens can freely access the outdoor areas, a potential source of helminth infections. This study aimed to evaluate the effective use of free-range access in organic laying hen’s farms located in Italy. The other objective was to quantify the major risk factors for endo- and ectoparasite infestation and its effect on performance, health and welfare, correlated to the use of free-range access. Fifteen organic farms of laying hens were assessed and visited twice. The total number of hens in the three zones was counted and recorded three times daily. Indirect indicators (characteristics of vegetation cover, amount and weight of droppings) were recorded. To evaluate parasite infestation, 15 fresh faecal samples per flock were collected from the ground/floor or perches. From seven farms, 15 gastrointestinal tracts from end-of-lay hens were qualitatively and quantitatively examined for the presence of endoparasites at different developmental stages. The percentage of hens observed outdoors in zone 3 was affected by free-range features. As expected, zone 1 was more frequented by hens than the others. The correlations among number and weight of droppings collected outside, vegetation score and the percentage of hens showed interesting results. Only three species of parasites were found during faecal samples analysis. There was a significantly and positively correlation between the number of Capillaria and Ascaridia eggs. The results showed that the presence in the free-range area of mounds, trees and bushes attracted more animals outside and allowed them to show their natural behaviour.HighlightsConsumer’s motivations to buy organic food are related to human health, environmental concerns and animal welfare. The higher animal welfare standards of organic production lead consumers to buy organic instead of conventional food of animal origin. However, some health and welfare problems that could affect organic egg production need to be addressed. The characteristics of the outdoor range are one of the factors that can most affect its use. Moreover, the use of the free range is considered one of the major risk factors for endo- and ectoparasite infestation in organic layers that can affect performance, health and welfare.

Performance, behavior, and health of male broilers and laying hens of 2 dual-purpose chicken genotypes.

Dual-purpose chicken where both sexes are reared together, before males are separated for final fattening, while females are kept for an entire laying period, may provide an economic alternative under certain production and marketing conditions. Two genotypes, purebred Bresse-Gauloise (PURE, n = 300) and crossbred Bresse-Gauloise × New Hampshire (CROSS, n = 300), were compared. One-day-old mixed-sex chicken were raised for 12 wk under floor husbandry conditions on a broiler diet. Thereafter, males were transferred to a mobile chicken house with free-range access. Males were slaughtered at weekly intervals from 12th to 19th wk of age. Hens were kept for 1 laying period in a mobile house. Growth performance, feed consumption, carcass, meat quality, health and welfare traits were measured in both sexes. In females layers’ performance, egg quality and behavior were recorded, too. At 12 wk, males of PURE reached a live weight of 2,075 g and CROSS of 1,865 g (P < 0.05), while at 16 wk both weighed more than 2,500 g (P > 0.05). Dressing percentage increased with slaughter age and was above 68% in both genotypes when slaughtered at 18 to 19 wk of age. Proportion of legs, breast, and wings was 34.3, 16.0, and 11.0% in PURE and 34.7, 15.5, and 12.1% in CROSS (P > 0.05). Laying performance was 54.5% in PURE and 54.2% in CROSS (P > 0.05). Egg breaking strength decreased during the laying period, but remained above 30 N. Feed conversion was 3.4 kg feed/kg egg. On average, 25% of the animals stayed outdoors during daytime (P > 0.05). Keel bone deformations were observed in 10% and breast blisters in 20% of the hens. Under the specific conditions of marketing products with added value, performances resulted in an overall economic benefit, which was higher for PURE than CROSS. The use of dual-purpose chicken to avoid the killing of 1-d-old chicken and mobile housing may substantiate premium prices in such a system.

Effective thresholds for reporting suspicions and improve early detection of avian influenza outbreaks in layer chickens

The objective of this study was to identify effective reporting thresholds for suspicions of both highly pathogenic (HPAI) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) outbreaks in layer farms. Daily mortality and egg-production data from 30 Dutch farms with no record of AI infection were analysed and thresholds set. Mortality rates above or egg-production below these thresholds for two consecutive days would trigger an alarm sign. The following thresholds were identified for mortality: (i) A mortality threshold of 0.08% or 0.13% for layers kept indoors or with free-range access respectively, (ii) a 2.9 times higher mortality than the average weekly mortality of the previous week, and iii) a moving-average threshold that could be implemented for each specific farm. For egg-production: (i) a weekly ratio lower than 0.94 in egg-production drop, and (ii) a moving-average threshold. The accuracy of these thresholds was assessed by quantifying their sensitivity, specificity and time to trigger disease detection using data from 15 infected and 31 non-infected farms. New thresholds were more sensitive and signalled infection two to six days earlier than the presently used thresholds. A high Specificity (97–100%) was obtained by combining mortality and egg production thresholds in a serial approach to trigger an alarm.

Modelling low pathogenic avian influenza introduction into the commercial poultry industry

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry flocks are rare but highly disruptive to the industry. There is evidence that low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) can transfer from wild birds to domestic flocks, where it may mutate to HPAI, and the industry is concerned that an increasing demand for free-range produce may affect the risk of LPAI and HPAI outbreaks. In this paper we focus on LPAI introduction and establishment, and formulate a branching process model to compare risk between sectors and their contribution to overall industry-level risk. Our aim is to determine how heterogeneity in avian influenza viruses and the distinct population structures of each sector – caged, barn and free-range, meat and layer – interact with a continuous risk of virus introduction to affect outbreak probabilities. We show that free-range access is the most influential driver of LPAI outbreaks, with production cycle length having relatively little effect. We demonstrate that variation in virus transmission rates is particularly important when modelling avian influenza introduction to domestic poultry. Virus-free status is of interest for biosecurity and we distinguish how it differs from the usual probability of extinction, and discuss how production cycle length affects this difference. We also use the nonlinear relationship between shed size and risk to identify conditions for which shed size is most influential.

An automated positioning system for monitoring chickens’ location: Accuracy and registration success in a free-range area

Free-range use in chickens is often suboptimal, and the full potential of outdoor access for chicken welfare may not be achieved. Many studies use visual observations of free-range use, imposing several limitations. An automated system capable of continuously monitoring the location of multiple individual birds over a long time period has the potential to increase the amount and accuracy of the gathered data. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test a newly developed Ultra-Wideband system for monitoring the position of chickens with free-range access. This system consists of active tags (attached to the chickens) that send signals to anchors positioned at fixed locations in the field; the tags’ position can be calculated using the time of arrival of their signal. The effects of vegetation type, precipitation, tags being mounted on a chicken, tag height, angle and orientation, coverage by A-frames or mobile chicken houses, and proximity of other tags on accuracy of the registered positions (distance between the registered and the true position of the tag) and on registration success (percentage of registrations where a position could be calculated) were assessed. Overall, the median error was 0.29 m, which was below the aim of 0.5 m, and the mean percentage of successful registered positions was 68%. None of the variables had a clear effect on the accuracy of the positions. Errors were generally larger in certain areas of the experimental field, which may be due to the asymmetrical setup of the anchors. The percentage of successful registrations was negatively affected by shelter type, with lower percentages in dense vegetation (short rotation coppice willows; SRCW) than on grassland, possibly due to malfunctioning of two anchors close to the SRCW plots. Rain and placing the tags underneath a wooden A-frame, but not placing them in a mobile house, resulted in a lower percentage of successful registrations. The tag being mounted on a chicken, height and angle of the tag and proximity of other tags had no negative effect on the percentage of successful registrations. Placing more (functioning) anchors may contribute to better accuracy and registration success. Alternatively, the bias resulting from the variables that had a negative effect on registration success could be corrected for when using the system in its current setup. Overall, this system shows great promise for monitoring chickens’ free-range use.

Effects of shelter type, early environmental enrichment and weather conditions on free-range behaviour of slow-growing broiler chickens

Free-range use by broiler chickens is often limited, whereas better use of the free-range area could benefit animal welfare. Use of free-range areas could be stimulated by more appropriate shelter or environmental enrichment (by decreasing birds’ fearfulness). This study aimed to assess the effects of shelter type, early environmental enrichment and weather conditions on free-range use. Three production rounds with 440 slow-growing broiler chickens (Sasso T451) were carried out. Birds were housed indoors in four groups (two with males, two with females) from days 0 to 25, during which two of the groups received environmental enrichment. At day 23 birds’ fearfulness was assessed with a tonic immobility (TI) test (n=100). At day 25 all birds were moved (in mixed-sex groups) to mobile houses, and provided with free-range access from day 28 onwards. Each group could access a range consisting for 50% of grassland with 21 artificial shelters (ASs, wooden A-frames) and for 50% of short rotation coppice (SRC) with willow (dense vegetation). Free-range use was recorded by live observations at 0900, 1300 and 1700 h for 15 to 21 days between days 28 and 63. For each bird observed outside the shelter type (AS or SRC), distance from the house (0 to 2, 2 to 5, >5 m) and its behaviour (only rounds 2 and 3) were recorded. Weather conditions were recorded by four weather stations. On average, 27.1% of the birds were observed outside at any given moment of observation. Early environmental enrichment did not decrease fearfulness as measured by the TI test. It only had a minor effect on the percentage of birds outside (0.4% more birds outside). At all distances from the house, SRC was preferred over AS. In AS, areas closer to the house were preferred over farther ones, in SRC this was less pronounced. Free-range use increased with age and temperature and decreased with wind speed. In AS, rainfall and decreasing solar radiation were related to finding more birds outside, whereas the opposite was true in SRC. Behaviour of the birds depended on shelter type, distance from the house, early environmental enrichment, time of day and age. Chickens ranged more and farther in SRC, possibly because this provided a greater sense of safety because of the amount of cover and/or better protection against adverse weather conditions. These results indicate that SRC with willow is a more appropriate shelter for slow-growing broiler chickens than A-frames.

Effects of free-range access on production parameters and meat quality, composition and taste in slow-growing broiler chickens

Demand for meat from free-range broiler chickens is increasing in several countries. Consumers are motivated by better animal welfare and other product attributes such as quality and taste. However, scientific literature is not unanimous about whether free-range access influences quality, composition, and taste of the meat. Because chickens normally do not use free-range areas optimally, it is possible that provision of more suitable shelter will lead to more pronounced differences between chickens raised indoors and outdoors. In this study, an experiment with 2 production rounds of 600 slow-growing broilers each was performed. In each round, 200 chickens were raised indoors (IN), 200 had free-range access to grassland with artificial shelter (AS), and 200 had free-range access to short-rotation coppice with willow (SRC). Free-range use, feed intake, and growth were monitored, and after slaughter (d72) meat quality, composition, and taste were assessed. Free-range use was higher in SRC than in AS chickens (42.8 vs. 35.1%, P < 0.001). IN chickens were heavier at d70 than AS and SRC chickens (2.79 vs. 2.66 and 2.68 kg, P = 0.005). However, feed intake and conversion did not differ. Breast meat of chickens with free-range access was darker (P = 0.021) and yellower (P = 0.001) than that of IN chickens. Ultimate pH was lower (5.73 vs. 5.79; P = 0.006) and drip loss higher (1.29 vs. 1.09%; P = 0.05) in IN versus AS chickens. The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in AS than in IN meat (35.84 vs. 34.59%; P = 0.021). The taste panel judged breast meat of SRC chickens to be more tender (P = 0.003) and less fibrous (P = 0.013) compared to that of AS and IN chickens, and juicier compared to the IN chickens (P = 0.017). Overall, free-range access negatively affected slaughter weight, but positively affected meat quality, taste, and composition. Only a few differences between AS and SRC were found, possibly due to limited differences in free-range use.

Effect of free-range access, shelter type and weather conditions on free-range use and welfare of slow-growing broiler chickens

Free-range access for broiler chickens can benefit animal welfare because the birds have access to a more natural environment and more opportunities to perform natural behaviours than in indoor systems. Also, they have more space and more environmental enrichment, which could lead to better leg health and decreased fearfulness. In practice, however, use of the free-range area is often low. Lack of shelter likely plays an important role in this, as do weather conditions. In this study during 2 production rounds of slow-growing broiler chickens, 200 chickens were housed indoors (IN), 200 were provided with free-range access to grassland with artificial shelter (AS), and 200 were provided with free-range access to an area with short rotation coppice (SRC) from 4 until 10 weeks of age. Free-range use was monitored using photographs and live observations. Weather conditions and free-range use were monitored throughout the outdoor period. Tonic immobility (TI) as fearfulness assessment was done at the beginning (round 2 only) and the end of both production rounds; leg health and tibia bone health were assessed at the end of the production rounds.Mean percentage of birds using the free-range area was higher in SRC than in AS groups (42.8% vs. 35.1%; F1,7=1180.00, P<0.001). The mean percentage of animals located further than 5m from the house was 10.6±1.1% of the chickens that were outside in the SRC groups vs. 4.1±0.8% in the AS groups (F1,7=24.03, P=0.002). The interactions of shelter type with rainfall (F2,5578=70.59, P<0.001), increasing radiation (F2,5578=300.93, P<0.001) and increasing wind speed (F2,5578=14.77, P<0.001) showed that these factors were related with fewer chickens being outside; and that these effects were more pronounced in SRC than in AS chickens. An increasing temperature was related with more free-range use (F1,5578=32.24, P<0.001). A shorter TI duration in week 3 (at group level) was associated with more chickens further than 5m from the house (F1,250=13.79, P<0.001). The percentage of animals needing more than one induction to induce TI in week 10 was higher for chickens from SRC (29.7%) than from IN groups (4.8%; t102=−2.61, P=0.028) but not AS (14.8%). Hock dermatitis occurred less in AS (7.6%) than in IN (40.1%; t222=3.15, P=0.005) but not SRC (13.7%). These findings indicate that presence of SRC was most effective in encouraging chickens to use the free-range area, but that free-range access was only moderately related to better leg health and fearfulness (at group level).

4. Quality of Poultry Meat from Native Chicken Breeds – A Review

Abstract The objective of the paper was to demonstrate the possibilities of using Polish native breeds of chickens for the production of meat for its specific quality features in the light of worldwide researches. The object of the analysis was the quality of meat from slow-growing chickens raised in varied housing systems, including capons and poulards. The findings of studies on the quality of poultry meat from native breeds obtained from post-production cockerels and from hens in their post egg-laying stage have shown that there are chances for their use in meat production. Native breed hens can also be used as foundation material for the production of capons, poulards or international mixed breeds for purposes of extensive farming. The body weight of native breed hens, including their muscle build depend on the bird’s genotype, feeding, length of exploitation and farming system. Meat from native breed hens, raised in free-range systems has less fat, but with higher polyunsaturated fatty acids in their meat muscles as well as a healthier ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA acids. Outdoor free-range access influences the meat colour, i.e., bright coloured breast muscle (L*) as well as increased intensity of red coloration of leg muscles (b*). Caponisation of hens enhances intensified body weight gains along with increased fattening of meat. In comparison with cockerel meat, the meat of capons is more juicy, tender and of better taste, while poulard meat has distinctively favourable sensory values in comparison with broiler chicken meat.

Survey of egg farmers regarding the ban on conventional cages in the EU and their opinion of alternative layer housing systems in Flanders, Belgium

On 1 January 2012, conventional cages for laying hens were banned in the European Union (EU); all egg farmers must now use alternative hen housing systems. In total, 218 Flemish egg farmers were surveyed in 2013 to 2014 regarding which housing systems they currently use, their degree of satisfaction with the system, and how they experienced the transition from conventional cages to an alternative system. The response rate was 58.3% (127 respondents). Of these, 43 (33.9%) were no longer active as an egg farmer, mainly due to the ban on conventional cages. The respondents who were active as egg farmers both before and after the transition (84, 66.1%) mainly judged the ban as negative for their own finances and for the competitive position of the Belgian egg industry, but were neutral or positive regarding the general consequences for their own business. Most respondents' hens were housed in either aviary systems (47.7%) or in alternative cage systems (38.2%). When choosing a new system, the fit into the farm and consumer demand were the most important factors. Consumer demand was the main reason for choosing a system with free-range access. In general, egg farmers were satisfied with the system they chose, although this differs between systems. When asked to compare the alternative systems to conventional cages, alternatives were judged to be better for hen welfare and consumer demand, but similar or worse for all other aspects, especially labor. Egg farmers previously using conventional cages judged alternative systems more negatively than those who had no prior experience with conventional cages. Farmers who had experience with free-range systems judged these more positively than those without this experience, e.g., for egg consumer demand, profitability, and hen welfare. These results can possibly be extrapolated to other EU countries in which conventional cages were the most common housing system until 2012, and lessons can be drawn from the farmers' experiences when implementing other animal welfare legislation that may require similar far-reaching adaptations for primary production.

Elicitation of preferences of Dutch broiler and pig farmers to support decision making on animal welfare

Conjoint analysis was conducted to elicit Dutch broiler and fattening pig farmers’ preferences about different characteristics of production systems, with primary interest in farmers’ intrinsic motivation towards animal welfare (AW). A cluster analysis was carried out to identify distinct groups of farmers with homogeneous preferences. The results showed that farmers preferred conventional practices and had negative preferences towards free-range systems. Two clusters of broiler farmers were distinguished. The ‘Free-range opposed’ cluster evaluated a production system by focusing on a single aspect, the provision of free-range access, while the ‘Multi-attribute focused’ cluster included multiple attributes in their evaluation. In the case of fattening pig farmers, no clusters could be identified. Results showed that farmers do not have a strong intrinsic motivation to switch to a system with higher animal welfare standards. It is therefore likely that the level of on-farm AW will be determined by external and farm-specific factors, and that higher levels of AW will only be achieved if these factors are favorable for the adoption of these production systems.

Use of n-alkanes for determination of Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) intake in free-range broilers

N-alkanes, long-chained saturated hydrocarbons occurring in plant cuticles, were used for estimating grass intake in fast-growing, free-range broilers. A total of 1440 as hatched mixed sex Cobb 500 broilers were equally divided between one of four experimental treatments in a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement involving conventional (barn) or free-range (barn and range access) production systems and diets (crude protein: 21%, metabolisable energy: 13 MJ/K) with or without in-feed antibiotic (Zinc Bacitracin: Albac® G 150 antibiotic feed premix, Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia). Day-old chicks were randomly allocated to 48 pens (12 replicates/treatment) with 30 birds in each pen. Chicks were assigned to treatment diets on Day 1 while free-range access was available to birds from Day 21 onwards. Alkane concentrations in litter were measured and compared with alkane profiles of the intake components (grass, diet pellets and woodchip). Correction for incomplete recovery followed by estimation using a non-negative least square procedure resulted in calculation of total grass intake from the range area. Kikuyu grass consumption was estimated to be 13.5–14.7% of total ‘as-fed’ intake, equating to 6.34–6.78 g of grass per bird per hour of range access in this study. Taking into account grass consumption, this resulted in a significant increase in feed intake by 8.7–8.9% (P &lt; 0.01) and feed conversion ratio from 2.30 to 2.54 points (P &lt; 0.01). It can be concluded that broilers reared under free-range conditions eat a substantial quantity of grass. However, the nutrient profile of grass is not complementary to the formulated ration and its consumption is likely to lead to an array of nutritional changes for the bird, thus affecting performance.

Belly Up (review)

Reviewed by: Belly Up Deborah Stevenson, Editor Gibbs, Stuart. Belly Up. Simon, 2010. [304p]. ISBN 978-1-4169-8731-4 $15.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 4-7. Something is rotten in FunJungle, the huge Texas park that's a cross between Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo, and it's up to twelve-year-old Teddy, the son of the park's primate specialist, to figure out what it is. The problem starts with the death of Henry, the foul-tempered hippo who's the park's mascot, and who turns out to have been deliberately killed. Teaming up with Summer, the daughter of the park's owner, Teddy investigates the crime and stumbles into what looks like a conspiracy—but can he solve it before Henry's killers come after him? Promotional copy connects Gibbs to Carl Hiaasen, and there's definitely something of Hiaasen's easygoing, direct style and ecology-related theme here. Even more than Hiaasen's work, though, this is steeped in old-fashioned adventure, starring a kid with enviable freedom and opportunity, who's tangling with classic crime (smuggling of emeralds!) and who's backed by two strong, protective parents. The setting is key, and Gibbs draws a vivid picture of FunJungle, a kajillionaire's pet project that's torn between gate-turning revenue and animal-preservation respectability. Teddy's free-range access to myriad animal enclosures is an alluring fantasy, which the book firmly supports with clear-eyed information about animal behavior and zookeeping logistics. Touches of humor provide additional enjoyment, with many readers likely to find the high and low point simultaneously in the high-speed splatter of a long-rotting hippo carcass. Smart, unironic, and confidently bereft of cool, this is a solidly enjoyable action mystery, a useful complement to Anderson's satirical Thrilling Tales titles (Whales on Stilts, BCCB 4/05, etc.). Copyright © 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois