Broiler Chickens is a short practical book of guidelines and advice to good welfare practice in broiler chicken farming. With contributions from world expert researchers in poultry welfare, this book distils academic research into applied advice on the farm for industry and farm workers. The content covered includes health and disease impacts with a One Health focus, housing for optimal health, broiler breeders, hatchery management, broiler slaughter practices, transport, animal welfare assessment measures and a discussion of welfare improvement measures on the farm. 5m Books
Animal welfare considerations are becoming increasingly important for the keeping and farming of animals, both in Australia and internationally. Practices that may have once been deemed acceptable are now being reassessed in light of new knowledge and changing attitudes. The minimum standards outlined in this Code are intended to help people involved in the care and management of poultry to adopt standards of husbandry that are acceptable. Special requirements for various species are given in the appendices. This Code of Practice is intended as a guide for people responsible for the welfare and husbandry of domestic poultry. It recognizes that the basic requirement for welfare of poultry is a husbandry system appropriate to their physiological and behavioral needs. The Code emphasizes that--whatever the form of husbandry--managers, employees and all others responsible for the day-to-day needs of domestic poultry have a responsibility to care for poultry under their control.
This comprehensive research book represents the first complete integration of current knowledge in this area. It addresses issues associated with poultry breeding particularly by examining quantitative and molecular genetics and the uses of transgenic technology. A special section covers the important area of disease resistance and transmission.
Broiler breeder chickens are the parent stock used to produce broiler chickens raised for human consumption and have long been caught in a welfare dilemma. The immensely successful selection of fast-growing meat-type chickens over the last 80 years has created a remarkably efficient meat-producer and given us access to cheap chicken meat but has also created health problems for the animals. These problems especially affect the breeder generation, which must be raised with strict feed restriction to limit weight gain and thus maintain physical health and normal fertility. At the same time, however, feed restriction causes chronic hunger and feeding frustration with reduced animal welfare as a result. In the EU alone 60 million breeders are affected annually and although the problem is well-known within the industry, there is financial incentive to keep selecting for even higher growth potential in broilers, further increasing the problems for broiler breeders. Many strategies for reducing the impact of growth restriction on breeder welfare have been suggested and are usually aimed at somehow increasing the amount of feed given at feeding times. This can be done either through adding bulky fibers to the diet or by reducing feeding frequency. In this thesis, focus is on the latter as we explore the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on the welfare of young broiler breeders as well as wild-type Red Junglefowl. Intermittent fasting, or “skip-a-day” feeding, is supposedly the most common feeding strategy for broiler breeders worldwide but is perceived as welfare-reducing and thus illegal in Sweden and several other European countries. In spite of this, the scientific knowledge of how this type of feeding affects chicken welfare is scarce. Assessing the overall effect of IF on breeder welfare is complicated by large variations in both physiological and behavioral parameters between feeding and fasting days, but it does appear that chicken welfare is improved at least on the feeding days of IF regimens. It also seems that some of the health benefits reported from mammalian studies of IF may apply to chickens as well, although behavioral indicators still point to welfare issues unless the level of feed restriction can be relaxed. In comparison with daily feed restriction, IF appears to increase the motivation for feed consumption but to reduce the motivation for appetitive behaviors such as foraging, which may explain why birds fed on this type of schedule are often reported as calmer.
A comprehensive review of all aspects of commercial production systems, this book provides an up-to-date look at all aspects of broiler breeder production and management, starting with specialized genetic programs as developed by the primary breeders and ending with two chapters on very practical, hands-on aspects of breeder management, including extensive coverage of health management, feeding systems, environmental control, lighting programs and all aspects of male and female reproduction. Recognizing the diversity of management systems worldwide, the authors have included breeders in both temperate and warm climates and also for controlled environment vs.curtain-sided housing systems. This unique publication is an essential reference for all professionals involved in broiler breeder production.
Poultry production continues to make tremendous advances. This thoroughly revised fifth edition of Scanes’ seminal, comprehensive text presents students and professionals alike with valuable, research-based material relevant to all stages of a poultry career. Areas covered include global and commercial poultry production; poultry business organization; and production of meat chickens (broilers), turkeys, eggs, ducks, geese, game birds, and other poultry. Other chapters cover the fundamental science behind production: poultry biology, genetics, behavior, diseases/health, housing, ventilation, and processing. New or greatly expanded sections cover biosecurity; poultry stress/welfare; feed additives; food safety; incubation; controlling pests; poultry waste and environmental issues; brooding; and organic, free-range, and niche poultry production. “Points for Discussion” and “Deeper Dive” sections highlight key examples and provide further context and empirical data for critical areas in poultry production, giving students a first-hand look at issues in both small and large operations. The book concludes with an in-depth, invaluable chapter on applying for internships and positions for the start of a successful career.
Poultry are a major source of valuable high-quality protein for much of the world's population, so food security is heavily dependent on maintaining poultry health. They are also increasingly important as specialist hobby animals in back-yard flocks. Despite this, veterinarians specializing in the care and health of these important domestic animals are few and far between, and many vets in small animal practice have little real experience of poultry health management and disease. Providing a comprehensive overview, this new handbook will help to plug this gap with 46 chapters of practical and accessible poultry health and management. Written by international experts, this book forms a valuable illustrated resource for veterinary professionals, veterinary students, or those entering the poultry industry.
Commercial Chicken Meat and Egg Production is the 5th edition of a highly successful book first authored by Dr. Mack O. North in 1972, updated in 1978 and 1984. The 4th edition was co-authored with Donald D. Bell in 1990. The book has achieved international success as a reference for students and commercial poultry and egg producers in every major poultry producing country in the world. The 5th edition is essential reading for students preparing to enter the poultry industry, for owners and managers of existing poultry companies and for scientists who need a major source of scientifically based material on poultry management. In earlier editions, the authors emphasized the chicken and its management. The 5th edition, with the emphasis shifted to the commercial business of managing poultry, contains over 75% new material. The contributions of 14 new authors make this new edition the most comprehensive such book available. Since extensive references are made to the international aspects of poultry management, all data are presented in both the Imperial and Metric form. Over 300 tables and 250 photos and figures support 62 chapters of text. New areas include processing of poultry and eggs with thorough discussions of food safety and further processing. The business of maintaining poultry is discussed in chapters on economics, model production firms, the use of computers, and record keeping. Updated topics include: breeders and hatchery operations; broiler and layer flock management; replacement programs and management of replacements; nutrition; and flock health. New chapters address flock behavior, ventilation, waste management, egg quality and egg breakage. Other new features include a list of more than 400 references and a Master List of the tables, figures, manufacturers of equipment and supplies, research institutions, books and periodicals, breeders, and trade associations. Commercial growers will find the tables of data of particular interest; scientists will be able to utilize the extensive references and to relate their areas of interest to the commercial industry's applications; and students will find that the division of the book into 11 distinct sections, with multiple chapters in each, will make the text especially useful.
Through successive editions, Management and Welfare of Farm Animals has gained international recognition as a classic introductory textbook for students of agriculture and veterinary science. Conceived by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), the book has always sought to promote the humane treatment of livestock within the practical business context of modern farming. Now fully revised and updated, this fifth edition remains the most comprehensive and accessible guide available. Three animal groups appear here for the first time (game birds, South American camelids, and ostriches), and a chapter on horses has also been restored. Throughout, the book offers clear advice for the humane management of all major farmed species in the primary context of large-scale food production. However, this edition also takes full account of consumer demand (and legal requirements) for alternative farming methods and enhanced welfare standards, whether in conventional agriculture or the smallest of ‘hobby' farms. Brand new chapters reflect fresh understanding of welfare science, ethics, and the role of society in ensuring the best possible farm conditions. It remains an indispensable resource for students, and for all those seeking to promote animal welfare. Published as a part of the prestigious Wiley-Blackwell – UFAW Animal Welfare series. UFAW, founded 1926, is an internationally recognised, independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. For full details of all titles available in the UFAW series, please visit www.wiley.com/go/ufaw.
