Abstract
Broilers usually hatch in hatcheries without access to feed and water, which might affect their welfare negatively. Alternative approaches have been developed, e.g. providing chickens with nutrition in the hatchery or hatching
eggs on-farm. Information on the behavior of chickens hatched in these systems is limited. Changes in broiler activity are a promising indicator for various welfare threats, such as sickness and lameness. The aim of this study was to assess effects of hatching system on broiler activity at individual and group-level using sensor technology.
Group-level activity was measured in chickens that hatched either conventionally in the hatchery (HH), in a system providing feed and water in the hatcher (HF), or on-farm (OH). Chickens were reared in two batches, in 12 pens/batch (1,155 animals/pen), with a total of 8 replicate pens/treatment. In each pen, a camera of the eYenamic system (Fancom) recorded top-view images. Using automated image analyses, a daily activity index (moved pixels/total pixels x 100) was calculated over 35 days. Individual activity was measured in a proof-of-principle-experiment, because the ultra-wideband (UWB) system could not be installed on a farm. Consequently, chickens from the three hatching systems were reared in three pens (one pen/treatment, 30 animals/pen). At d14, tags of the UWB system were attached to five chickens/pen. The distances moved (DM) by the birds were tracked for 4h/d on 19 days.
Group level activity showed a significant age x hatching system interaction (F8,752= 5.83, P<0.001). HH and HF chickens showed higher activity levels than OH chickens in week 1, 4 and 5. In week 2, activity did not differ among treatments. In week 3, higher activity levels were measured in HH compared to HF pens, and in HF compared to OH pens. In contrast, HH chickens in small groups showed lower DM than HF and OH chickens in week 3 (F8,291= 4.83, P<0.001). In week 4 and 5, no difference was found among treatments. Within all small groups, DM differed among individual chickens (HH: F4,85= 31.98, HF: F4,85= 22.64, OH: F4,85= 115.10, all P<0.001).
The results indicate that hatching system affected broiler activity at specific ages. Effects found at group level in large groups could not be reproduced at individual level in small groups of broilers. In these small groups, individual differences in activity within one treatment might have overshadowed effects of the hatching system. The relation
of these findings with animal health and welfare needs further investigation.
eggs on-farm. Information on the behavior of chickens hatched in these systems is limited. Changes in broiler activity are a promising indicator for various welfare threats, such as sickness and lameness. The aim of this study was to assess effects of hatching system on broiler activity at individual and group-level using sensor technology.
Group-level activity was measured in chickens that hatched either conventionally in the hatchery (HH), in a system providing feed and water in the hatcher (HF), or on-farm (OH). Chickens were reared in two batches, in 12 pens/batch (1,155 animals/pen), with a total of 8 replicate pens/treatment. In each pen, a camera of the eYenamic system (Fancom) recorded top-view images. Using automated image analyses, a daily activity index (moved pixels/total pixels x 100) was calculated over 35 days. Individual activity was measured in a proof-of-principle-experiment, because the ultra-wideband (UWB) system could not be installed on a farm. Consequently, chickens from the three hatching systems were reared in three pens (one pen/treatment, 30 animals/pen). At d14, tags of the UWB system were attached to five chickens/pen. The distances moved (DM) by the birds were tracked for 4h/d on 19 days.
Group level activity showed a significant age x hatching system interaction (F8,752= 5.83, P<0.001). HH and HF chickens showed higher activity levels than OH chickens in week 1, 4 and 5. In week 2, activity did not differ among treatments. In week 3, higher activity levels were measured in HH compared to HF pens, and in HF compared to OH pens. In contrast, HH chickens in small groups showed lower DM than HF and OH chickens in week 3 (F8,291= 4.83, P<0.001). In week 4 and 5, no difference was found among treatments. Within all small groups, DM differed among individual chickens (HH: F4,85= 31.98, HF: F4,85= 22.64, OH: F4,85= 115.10, all P<0.001).
The results indicate that hatching system affected broiler activity at specific ages. Effects found at group level in large groups could not be reproduced at individual level in small groups of broilers. In these small groups, individual differences in activity within one treatment might have overshadowed effects of the hatching system. The relation
of these findings with animal health and welfare needs further investigation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 244 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2021 |
| Event | 54th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) - Duration: 2 Aug 2021 → 6 Aug 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | 54th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) |
|---|---|
| Period | 2/08/21 → 6/08/21 |