Efecto de la densidad de alojamiento y la zona del galpón sobre indicadores de bienestar en pollos parrilleros

E. A. Gallard; M. L. Menichelli; R. J. Di Masso; F. A. Revidatti

doi:10.30972/vet.3326188

Authors

E. A. Gallard Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Reconquista
M. L. Menichelli Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Reconquista Universidad Católica de Santa Fe. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias
R. J. Di Masso Universidad Nacional del Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
F. A. Revidatti Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3326188

Keywords:

Animal welfare, Environmental conditions, Commercial production

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of decreasing stocking density and shed area on footpad dermatitis, hock burn, and ventral feathers cleanliness of broilers reared in winter. The work was carried out on a commercial farm in the northeast of the Santa Fe province, Argentina. 54,000 broilers were housed in sex-mixed batches, in two darkened sheds, divided into three zones: Panels, Intermediate and Extractors. Two stocking densities were evaluated: 14 and 12 chickens/m2, standard and reduced, respectively. At 41 days feet and hock lesions and cleanliness of ventral feathers was assessed in 120 chickens per area. Significant differences were registered for footpad lesions in Extractors (p = 0.0006), Intermediate (p = 0.0002) and Panels (p <0.0001) zones, with predominance of lesions 1 and 2 in Intermediate and Panels zones with standard density. Non-significant differences were observed for hock lesions in Extractors (p = 0.111) a response not seen in Intermediate (p = 0.024) and Panels (p <0.0001) zones, with more type 2 lesions in both zones under standard density. Feather cleanliness showed significant differences in Extractors (p = 0.014) Intermediate (p = 0.01) and Panels (p <0.0001), with a higher proportion of type 3 plumage dirt with standard density. Welfare indicators behaviour showed the favourable change achieved by reducing stocking density in broilers production.

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