An assessment of the welfare and productivity of slow growing genotypes of broiler breeders

The meat poultry industry is facing concerns about sustainability and animal welfare at the same time as productivity increases to satisfy the growing global demand for chicken meat. The current fast growth rate of modern meat chickens (broilers) is negatively associated with the reproductive performance of their parent stock (broiler breeders). Current feeding management of broiler breeders involves feed restriction to limit growth rate. However, feed restriction is a welfare concern as broiler breeders display signs of chronic hunger and high feeding motivation. Some of these behavioural signs include overdrinking and drinker pecking (high water usage), feather pecking and aggressive behaviours. Indeed, the level of feed restriction increases every year as broilers are continually selected for fast growth. In order to solve this problem, this project proposed to examine the sustainability (in terms of productivity and welfare outcomes) of alternative strains of broiler breeders in North America.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tina Widowski

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Hatching Egg Producers

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Guelph

Program: