Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Section, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen 37213, Germany.
Poult Sci. 2024 Oct;103(10):103900. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103900. Epub 2024 May 24.
This study presents an evaluation of on-farm self-assessment using animal-based indicators to support fattening poultry farmers in managing the welfare of their animals. Self-assessment guidelines elaborated by a German expert group were evaluated together with 11 trained broiler and 11 trained turkey farmers. The participating farmers tested a protocol with 18 indicators for broilers and a protocol with 20 indicators for turkeys on their farms for 1 y. The reliability of individual animal scoring, the practicability of the protocols, their implementation, and acceptance were then evaluated. Reliability was tested during 2 farm visits by the accompanying scientists, using the scientist as a silver standard. On average, the farmers achieved very good reliability (mean PABAK - prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa, broilers: 0.90; turkeys: 0.86), with no detectable influence of the previous training method (online versus in-person), the first versus the second visit of the scientists, the fattening stage of the animals scored, number of animals on the farm or the farmers' professional background. The assessment took longer at the end of the fattening period for both animal species. On farms with more personnel and for farmers with a higher position on farm, the assessment was easier to integrate into their work. Most farmers did not fully document their self-assessment and almost no farmer processed and evaluated the data properly, even though it seemed interesting to them. Overall, there was only moderate acceptance of the welfare self-assessment approach, with mixed responses as to whether it provided early warning information or benefits to animal management. Farmers often pointed to the increased cost associated with carrying out self-assessments in terms of the additional working time required, which is likely to be an important barrier to continuing. Digital applications for data recording, processing and evaluation may help to overcome barriers. Overall, it appears unlikely that the welfare self-assessment approach will be widely implemented in the poultry fattening sector without further incentives.
本研究评估了基于动物的农场自我评估，以支持育肥家禽养殖户管理动物福利。德国专家组制定的自我评估准则与 11 名受过培训的肉鸡养殖户和 11 名受过培训的火鸡养殖户一起进行了评估。参与的养殖户在其农场中使用了 18 个肉鸡指标和 20 个火鸡指标的方案进行了为期 1 年的测试。然后评估了个体动物评分的可靠性、方案的实用性、实施情况和接受程度。通过随行科学家进行的 2 次农场访问来测试可靠性，将科学家作为金标准。平均而言，养殖户的可靠性非常好（肉鸡的平均 PABAK-患病率调整和偏差调整kappa：0.90；火鸡：0.86），没有检测到先前培训方法（在线与面对面）、科学家的第一次和第二次访问、评分的动物育肥阶段、农场中的动物数量或养殖户的专业背景的影响。对于这两种动物，在育肥期末进行评估所需的时间更长。在人员较多的农场和农场地位较高的养殖户中，评估更容易融入他们的工作。大多数养殖户没有充分记录他们的自我评估，几乎没有养殖户正确处理和评估数据，尽管这对他们来说似乎很有趣。总体而言，养殖户对福利自我评估方法的接受程度仅为中等，对于该方法是否提供动物管理的早期预警信息或益处存在不同的反应。养殖户经常指出，由于需要额外的工作时间，进行自我评估会增加相关成本，这可能是继续进行的一个重要障碍。用于数据记录、处理和评估的数字应用程序可能有助于克服这些障碍。总体而言，如果没有进一步的激励措施，福利自我评估方法似乎不太可能在肉鸡育肥行业中得到广泛实施。
