On-Farm Assessment of Broiler Welfare in Tunisia Using Welfare Quality® Broiler Protocol

Abstract

Broiler chickens have been selected for their rapid growth rate as well as for their high protein quality. They are reared in intensive systems at high stocking density ranging from 30 to 40 kg live weight/ m2. The industry’s drive to ever faster growth rates has an impact on broiler health and welfare such as painful leg disorders and heart failure in broiler chickens and hunger due to severe food restriction in the breeding birds. The scientific literature on broiler chicken welfare in Tunisia is scarce. This study aimed to assess broiler welfare conditions in five Arbor Acres commercial flocks at the age of 35 days. Some indicators were observed like hock lesions, lameness, pododermatitis, plumage cleanliness, and breast blister. The scores of welfares ranged between 0 and 100. The results showed higher scores for feeding, housing, and health (P < 0.001). The absence of prolonged thirst and hunger, litter quality, breast blister, and touch test had a score exceeding 70, which is why they were considered excellent. Comforting around resting, plumage cleanliness, and dust sheet test had scores ranging between 50 and 70. The scores of thermal comforts, stocking density, absence of injuries, footpad dermatitis, and hock burn were acceptable (ranging between 20 and 50). However, unacceptable scores (below 20) were reported for lameness. Welfare indicators can help farmers avoid the causes of health problems to adopt the appropriate farming practices for excellent welfare and a better expression of production performance.