Barriers and levers to enhance laying hen welfare in low-input and organic farming – a supply chain survey

Within low-input outdoor and organic poultry production systems, providing free range potentially favouring animal natural behaviour, but increasing risks for health, some laying hen farming practices have the goal to improve animal welfare. How supply chain actors (e.g. farmers, veterinarians and farm advisors) perceive these practices has not yet been studied, though their perspective is necessary for feasibility assessment and future decision-making. A survey was conducted to compare views of supply chain actors in nine different EU countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and the UK) on management practices. Respondents were asked to assess the advantages and disadvantages of measures that aim to improve laying hen welfare, such as in-ovo sexing, the use of dual-purpose breeds, and the reduction of mutilations such as beak trimming. An exploratory factor analysis of 113 responses showed that supply chain actors were aware of the potential welfare benefits, but also of the disadvantages associated with some of these measures. Measures favoured by respondents were the provision of enrichment (85%) and shelter opportunities (86%) and the use of vaccines and antiparasitic treatments (65%). Keeping birds with intact beaks was favoured by the majority of farmers (63%), though this opinion varied between countries (p=0.05), thus probably reflecting local markets and regulations. Financial limitations were considered the main barrier to the implementation of welfare improving measures (70.4%). The study was part of the PPILOW project (Poultry and Pig Low-input and Organic production systems’ Welfare), receiving funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 816172.