Göransson Lina, Gunnarsson Stefan, Wallenbeck Anna, Yngvesson Jenny
Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), S-53223 Skara, Sweden.
Animals (Basel). 2021 Oct 15;11(10):2967. doi: 10.3390/ani11102967.
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.
目前，瑞典的有机肉鸡生产中饲养着两种生长较慢的杂交品种（罗文游侠和哈伯德），但商业农场中有关家禽福利的知识有限。本研究调查了鸡的行为，包括自由放养的使用情况及其特点，以增进了解、描述当前状况并确定瑞典有机肉鸡农场的实际解决方案。在12个可用农场中，有8个农场各被走访了一次，当时鸡群的平均年龄为55±6天。在对农民进行访谈之后，进行了回避距离测试、群体行为观察以及对鸡使用环境富集物和自由放养情况的评估。平均而言，在室内观察到的所有鸡中，近一半处于坐姿。然而，即使接近屠宰年龄，这些鸡仍然足够灵活，可以栖息，并使用了提供的多种栖息物品中的一些，但环境富集设备的数量似乎不足。自由放养区通常缺乏足够的植被覆盖或人工遮蔽物，并且观察到鸡主要在鸡舍附近活动。进一步的研究应探索可行的方法，让农民对室内和室外环境进行关键改进，以提高肉鸡福利。
