Mocz F, Moysan J-P, Warin L, Keita A, Michel V, Guinebretière M
Epidemiology, Health and Welfare Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Anses, BP 53 Route de Beaucemaine, Ploufragan, 22440, France.
Avian Experimental Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, France.
Poult Sci. 2025 May 26;104(8):105347. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105347.
In standard broiler production systems, birds do not have outdoor access and spend their entire lives in the same environment. A covered veranda can improve broilers' living conditions by providing access to different environments and to areas with varying space availability (i.e. different stocking densities), while also allowing them to experience outdoor sensory stimulations and protecting them from predators and the risk of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the welfare and health of broilers with access to a covered veranda. Redbro broilers were randomly assigned to six identical enriched rooms (with elevated platform and alfalfa bales), each containing 2,478 birds (final stocking density of 26 kg/m²). Three rooms had access to a covered veranda from 22 days of age (D22), while the other three had no such access (control). Footpad dermatitis, hock burns and gait were assessed on D36. We also measured activity levels (D34 and D37), use of the covered veranda (from D22 to slaughter), litter quality (D34 and D37), as well as feed and water consumption throughout the rearing period. Mortality and body weight were also monitored. Access to a covered veranda did not affect mortality, body weight, litter quality, or feed and water consumption. None of the broilers from either treatment group exhibited gait issues or footpad dermatitis. However, the prevalence of hock burns was lower in the broilers having access to a covered veranda. Additionally, more active behaviors were observed among broilers from the covered veranda group than from the control group. The covered verandas were frequently used, with usage increasing as the broilers aged. Within a day, use was more frequent in the morning and decreased thereafter. Providing access to a covered veranda improved bird welfare without negatively impacting zootechnical indicators.
在标准肉鸡生产系统中，鸡只无法到室外活动，一生都处于同一环境中。有顶篷的阳台可以改善肉鸡的生活条件，使它们能够接触到不同的环境和空间利用率不同的区域（即不同的饲养密度），同时还能让它们体验户外的感官刺激，并保护它们免受捕食者侵害和疾病风险。本研究旨在评估有顶篷阳台的肉鸡的福利和健康状况。将红布罗肉鸡随机分配到六个相同的强化鸡舍（有高架平台和苜蓿草捆），每个鸡舍容纳2478只鸡（最终饲养密度为26千克/平方米）。三个鸡舍从22日龄（D22）起可使用有顶篷的阳台，另外三个鸡舍则没有这种通道（对照组）。在36日龄时评估脚垫皮炎、跗关节灼伤和步态。我们还测量了活动水平（34日龄和37日龄）、有顶篷阳台的使用情况（从22日龄到屠宰）、垫料质量（34日龄和37日龄），以及整个饲养期的饲料和水消耗量。还监测了死亡率和体重。使用有顶篷的阳台对死亡率、体重、垫料质量或饲料和水的消耗量没有影响。两个处理组的肉鸡均未出现步态问题或脚垫皮炎。然而，有顶篷阳台的肉鸡跗关节灼伤的发生率较低。此外，与对照组相比，有顶篷阳台组的肉鸡表现出更多的活跃行为。有顶篷的阳台经常被使用，随着肉鸡年龄的增长，使用频率增加。在一天内，上午的使用频率更高，之后则下降。提供有顶篷的阳台可改善鸡只福利，而不会对畜牧技术指标产生负面影响。
