Prevalence Of Health-Based Welfare Indicators, Feather And Keel Bone Damages In Commercial Broiler Breeder Hens

Authors : Metin Petek, Enver Çavuşoglu

Pages : 114-121

Doi:10.31196/huvfd.1674007

View : 65 | Download : 159

Publication Date : 2025-12-24

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was made to investigate the on-farm welfare of commercial broiler breeder hens using data collected during ante-mortem inspections of flocks at a commercial slaughterhouse in Bursa, Türkiye, during spring season between February to April. In total, 160 hens randomly selected from four flocks (Ross308; 40 hens from each flock) were subjected to a comprehensive visual examination by an observer to assess welfare conditions. Feather coverage on various body parts and tails of the hen was assessed to determine the level of feather loss. Keel bone condition was evaluated through palpation and visual inspection to identify any deviations or keel fractures. It was found that the flocks\\\' average dead-on-arrival (DOA) mortality rate ranged from 0.072 to 0.125%. Body weight uniformity values in the flocks indicated less variability among the hens (from 8.98 to 14.07%). The distribution of hens having various levels of feather damage was found to be significantly different among the body regions of hens in all flocks. Severe feather damage was commonly observed on all flocks\\\' back, tail, breast-abdomen, and belly-cloaca as a percentage of 78, 83, 97, and 90%, respectively. The average prevalence of keel bone deviation and fracture across the flock was found to be 13 and 33%, respectively. In conclusion, the study revealed a very high prevalence of severe feather damage and keel-tip deformities in the observed broiler breeder flocks. Further study involving more flocks and higher densities hens would be very beneficial.
Keywords : Broiler breeder, Feather loss, Keel bone damage, Pododermatitis.

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