Zoie McMillian, Jonathan Moyle, Gregory Martin, Anna Magnaterra, Ashlyn Snyder, Shawna Weimer
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Physical and behavioral characteristics of individual animals can be used as indicators of their welfare status. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of circulation fans on indicators of broiler welfare in commercial houses during colder months in the eastern United States. This study was conducted on two flocks of 36,000 straight-run broilers raised in four commercial houses on one farm site, totaling 288,000 birds. Two houses had 16 circulation fans (Fans), and two did not (control, No Fans). At weeks 3 and 6 of age, litter moisture was measured, bird behavior was video recorded, and physical assessments of broiler welfare were conducted. Independent of treatment, mobility and active behaviors decreased as birds aged (p < 0.0001). At week 6, birds in the control houses had a greater prevalence and severity of footpad dermatitis (p = 0.004), hock burn (p = 0.0003), and prevalence of dirty feathers (p < 0.0001). The results of this study indicate that air circulation strategies in commercial houses affect footpad dermatitis, hock burn, and feather cleanliness, providing insight into the impact of circulation fans on indicators of broiler welfare.
期刊介绍：
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS) publishes articles on methods of experimentation, husbandry, and care that demonstrably enhance the welfare of nonhuman animals in various settings. For administrative purposes, manuscripts are categorized into the following four content areas: welfare issues arising in laboratory, farm, companion animal, and wildlife/zoo settings. Manuscripts of up to 7,000 words are accepted that present new empirical data or a reevaluation of available data, conceptual or theoretical analysis, or demonstrations relating to some issue of animal welfare science. JAAWS also publishes brief research reports of up to 3,500 words that consist of (1) pilot studies, (2) descriptions of innovative practices, (3) studies of interest to a particular region, or (4) studies done by scholars who are new to the field or new to academic publishing. In addition, JAAWS publishes book reviews and literature reviews by invitation only.
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