Evaluation of platform enrichments in a commercial broiler house

Abstract

SUMMARY: Consumer demand regarding standards of care, welfare, and production methods are increasingly important for livestock and poultry producers. To meet consumer demands, the United States is on a path to increase levels of welfare. Structures added to the environment act as welfare enrichments, but establishing scientific understanding of their impact prior to implementation in poultry houses is critical. Therefore, study into platform parameters is needed as it relates to proportion of use and on-farm feasibility is warranted. To understand the platform usage of birds in a conventional broiler house, three replicates each of 3 different wooden platform prototypes varying in angles, heights, and steps, were examined in 2 flocks of straight-run broilers had unrestricted access to the platforms for the entire grow out cycle. Platform usage counts were evaluated at 5 timepoints daily, and an adjusted proportion was calculated. The pyramid platform designs had the highest proportion of use when considering counts in light and dark hours, and peaked for all platforms at wk 2. Interestingly, the elevated platforms had consistently larger adjusted proportions after wk 2 compared to all other platform designs. Further, the adjusted proportion stayed consistent throughout the entire growout period. The increased size in the pyramid designs, compared to the elevated and ramp designs, did not translate to a proportional increase in usage, but did increase substantially in weight. Based on a novel evaluation of usage, this study indicated elevated platform constructed between 0.10 and 0.18 m tall were the best fit for conventional, high yielding broiler strains.

Keywords

• broiler
• enrichment
• welfare