Brandes Angela Gabriela, Spindler Birgit, Giersberg Mona Franziska, Kemper Nicole
Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hanover, Germany.
Animals in Science and Society, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Vet Sci. 2022 Jul 11;9(7):350. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9070350.
The equipment used in broiler breeder houses is an important factor in allowing the expression of the various behaviours of the animals, and thus realizing high welfare standards. Presently, detailed requirements for the equipment in broiler breeder houses are not specified in Germany, especially feed space and perch design allowance. One reason is that basic biometric data on broiler breeders are lacking. To close this gap, a pilot study was conducted, and birds' width, weight, and feet were measured. Broiler breeders at 22 weeks of age (50 female and 17 male) were weighed and photographed digitally, and their body widths were calculated from the photographs. Female broiler breeders weighed 2791.80 ± 334.99 g on average and showed a body width of 20.63 ± 1.88 cm. For males, a mean of 3615.88 ± 432.46 g was measured with a body width of 21.94 ± 2.32 cm. Our examinations revealed that a trough side length of 21.00 cm per hen and 22.00 cm per cock must be provided to ensure that all broiler breeders have equal access to feed. The same dimensions should be planned as the perch length for each animal. Measurements of broiler breeders' feet (506 female and 150 male Cobb 500) were performed at 60 weeks of age. The length of each toe and the width and length of the foot pad of both sexes were photographed and measured digitally. Female broiler breeders' feet showed an average length of 10.14 cm, and male birds showed a length of 12.05 cm. Based on recommendations for the perch design for laying hens, round and oval perches for broiler breeders should have a circumference of at least 11.30 cm (female) or 13.40 cm (male). For angular perches, the upper contact area should have a width of 2.80 cm (female) or 3.40 cm (male). The obtained biometric data could be a useful basis for the development of legal requirements for broiler breeders.
肉种鸡舍所使用的设备是一个重要因素，它能使动物的各种行为得以展现，从而实现高福利标准。目前，德国并未对肉种鸡舍的设备提出详细要求，尤其是饲料空间和栖木设计规格。原因之一是缺乏肉种鸡的基本生物特征数据。为了填补这一空白，我们开展了一项试点研究，对鸡的体宽、体重和足部进行了测量。对22周龄的肉种鸡（50只母鸡和17只公鸡）进行称重并拍摄数码照片，然后根据照片计算它们的体宽。雌性肉种鸡平均体重为2791.80±334.99克，体宽为20.63±1.88厘米。雄性肉种鸡平均体重为3615.88±432.46克，体宽为21.94±2.32厘米。我们的研究表明，每只母鸡的料槽边长应为21.00厘米，每只公鸡应为22.00厘米，以确保所有肉种鸡都能平等地获取饲料。每只动物的栖木长度也应规划为相同尺寸。在60周龄时对肉种鸡的足部（506只雌性和150只雄性科宝500）进行了测量。对两性的每个脚趾长度以及脚垫的宽度和长度进行了拍照并数码测量。雌性肉种鸡的脚平均长度为10.14厘米，雄性肉种鸡为12.05厘米。根据蛋鸡栖木设计的建议，肉种鸡的圆形和椭圆形栖木周长至少应为11.30厘米（雌性）或13.40厘米（雄性）。对于角形栖木，上部接触面积宽度应为2.80厘米（雌性）或3.40厘米（雄性）。所获得的生物特征数据可为制定肉种鸡的法律要求提供有用依据。
