Production Welfare of Poultry Flashcards
What problem may be associated with drinkers?
Too high- not all can reach (skeletal deformities etc.)
Too low - spillage -> spoiled bedding
What is the most common type of bedding?
Rice byproduct
How many chickens and turkeys are produced for meat per year?
50 billion
1 billion in the UK
Why is bird cleanliness assessed?
Risks for human health
Cleanliness at abattoir
-> Spin off that welfare must be improved to improve bird cleanliness!
What does the scale of hock burn and foot pad scoring range from/to?
0-4
What causes hock and foot burn?
Ammonia, followed by secondary bacterial infection
What are the two types of parameters that may be assessed when looking at welfare?
Inputs (Environment /resource based) eg. Temperature
Outputs (animal based) eg. No. of panting hens/degree of huddling
What are some possible causes of abnormal gait/poor gait score?
Viral - reoviridae
Bacterial - Femoral abscess (s. aureus)
Tibial dyschondroplasia esp. of proximal tibia (Cartilagenous plugs in tibial shaft)
How may welfare indicators be assessed automatically?
Automated “In line” camera system in slaughter house - foot pad dermatitis scoring (Legally must be recorded)
How is mobility correlated to foot pad dermatitus/hock burn scores?
Poor mobility -> hock burn
Good mobility -> foot pad dermatitis
At what age are broilers slaughtered?
30~40 DAYS (~2.5kg)
How should penalties for bird deaths be implemented?
Penalised for mortality but NOT culling - culling should be almost encouraged on a welfare ground
Give 6 infectious and metabolic disorders that may affect broilers
- Engorged crop (litter/straw etc.)
- Emaciation
- Ascites (due to CV disease, usually non-infectious just due to rapid growth rates)
- Pericarditis
- Jaundice
- Septiceamia - E. Coli (BIGGEST KILLER)
What is the biggest killer in poultry flocks?
Septiceamia due to E. Coli
How are poultry flocks treated?
Prophylaxis, NOT individual treatment!
