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      Comparison of performance, health and welfare aspects between commercially housed hatchery-hatched and on-farm hatched broiler flocks

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          Abstract

          On-farm hatching systems for broiler chicks are increasingly used in practice. We studied whether or not performance, health and welfare aspects differed between commercial flocks hatched on-farm or in a hatchery (control). In two successive production cycles on seven farms, a total of 16 on-farm hatched flocks were paired to 16 control flocks, housed at the same farm. Paired flocks originated from the same batch of eggs and were subjected to similar on-farm management. On-farm hatched and control flocks only differed with respect to hatching conditions, with on-farm hatched flocks not being exposed to, for example, chick handling, post-hatch feed and water deprivation and transport, in contrast to control flocks that were subjected to standard hatchery procedures, subsequently transported and placed in the poultry house. Day-old chick quality (navel and hock scores), 1 st week mortality, total mortality, BW at day (d) 0, d7 and at depopulation, and (total) feed conversion ratio were determined. Prevalence of footpad dermatitis, hock burn, breast discoloration/blisters and cleanliness, litter quality and gait score were determined at d21 of age and around depopulation (d39 on average). Gross pathology and gut morphology were examined at depopulation age in a sample of birds of five flocks per treatment. On-farm hatching resulted in a higher BW at d0 (Δ=5.4 g) and d7 (Δ=11.5 g) (P<0.001), but day-old chick quality as measured by navel (P=0.003) and hock (P=0.01) quality was worse for on-farm hatched compared to control birds. Body weight, 1 st week and total mortality, and feed conversion ratio at slaughter age were similar for both on-farm hatched and control flocks. On-farm hatched flocks had less footpad dermatitis (P=0.05), which indicated a better welfare. This was likely related to a tendency for better litter quality in on-farm hatched flocks at 21 days of age in comparison to control flocks (P=0.08). No major differences in gross pathology or in intestinal morphology at depopulation age were found between treatments. In conclusion, on-farm hatching resulted in better 1 st week broiler performance and better welfare compared to conventional hatching in a hatchery.

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          Most cited references20

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          Footpad dermatitis in poultry.

          Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is a condition that causes necrotic lesions on the plantar surface of the footpads in growing broilers and turkeys. This condition not only causes downgrades and condemnations of saleable chicken paws, the portion of the leg below the spur, but is also an animal welfare concern in both the United States and in Europe.. Revenue from chicken paws in 2008 alone was worth $280 million. Harvesting large, unblemished paws has become a priority to poultry companies all over the world. Research on this subject has been ongoing since the 1940s and has looked into many different areas including nutrition, environment, and genetics. Early research looked at nutritional deficiencies such as riboflavin and biotin mainly in turkey poults. This early research was most likely looking at a separate form of dermatitis than what is being investigated now. Recent findings have suggested that there is a myriad of interacting factors that lead to FPD. Litter moisture appears to be the most likely culprit in the onset of this condition. Research has also shown a possible genetic link in the susceptibility to development of FPD lesions. Current chicken paw prices have skyrocketed due to a large export market in Asia. To produce unblemished paws for both increased profit and comply with current animal welfare recommendations, further research is needed to understand how the condition develops and what strategies can be used to prevent it.
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            Wet litter not only induces footpad dermatitis but also reduces overall welfare, technical performance, and carcass yield in broiler chickens

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              Pre- and posthatch development of goblet cells in the broiler small intestine: effect of delayed access to feed.

              Mucin glycoproteins play a key role in the regular function of the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, and in this study, the ontogenesis and development of mucin producing cells was examined in the broiler. Mucin-producing cells were observed in the small intestine from 3 d before hatch, and at this time contained only acidic mucin. After hatch and until Day 7 posthatch, the proximal, middle, and distal segments of the small intestine contained similar proportions of goblet cells producing acidic and neutral mucins. A gradient of goblet cell density was observed increasing along the duodenal to ileal axis. Delayed access to feed for 48 h posthatch resulted in an increase in intestinal intracellular mucins, which might have been due to impaired mucin secretion or enhanced mucin production. Changes in mucin dynamics could affect absorptive and protective functions of the small intestine.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                applab
                animal
                Animal
                Cambridge University Press (CUP)
                1751-7311
                1751-732X
                June 2019
                October 29 2018
                June 2019
                : 13
                : 06
                : 1269-1277
                Article
                10.1017/S1751731118002872
                30370892
                3657a547-5d66-4a26-a676-17bed92ae83d
                © 2019

                https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms

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