Feed Space Allowance and Perch Design Criteria for Broiler Breeders

Designing suitable housing and equipment for farm animals is made possible by biometric data on animals. This is being done firmly to give farm animals a supportive atmosphere for husbandry that is tailored to the animal. National and international law establishes minimum criteria for the protection of laying hens and mandates that all farm animals be given the proper amount of room to suit their ethological and physiological needs. Each broiler breeder needs enough room at the feeder in addition to providing proper perches. It is standard procedure to feed these birds sparingly to prevent significant weight growth and the resulting health problems.

According to the Council of Europe, broiler breeders must ensure that every bird has the option of sleeping on a perch at night and that foot harm is prevented. The federal state of Lower Saxony, where most German poultry farms are situated, has also established minimum standards for maintaining broiler breeders. A commercial production farm in Germany that housed the broiler breeders had a flock of roughly 5900 animals. The floor-housed broiler breeders had a strewn-about scratching space and an elevated, slatted area adjacent to the nests. There were drinking lines and seats in the raised slatted section.

Since the information on broiler breeder width was only ever gathered once, at the age of 22 weeks, it is impossible to draw any firm conclusions concerning older birds. However, the statistics offer useful information on the biometrics of broiler breeders. The linear space in adult laying hens was not affected by age or body posture, according to certain writers, who may also be relevant to broiler breeders. Feeding synchrony between breeders of broiler chickens and layer hens is evident. Therefore, while adopting a restriction-feeding scheme, broiler breeders should provide appropriate feeding area so that all the chickens can eat at once. The feet were measured using advance pictures, which were used to calculate the lengths of each toe and the foot pads using a pixel-based method.

Because the feet were photographed from underneath while being pushed against a glass plate for our investigation, the toes and foot pads were in the best possible position. As a result, the measurements were more accurate and objective. The feet were measured using advance pictures, which were used to calculate the lengths of each toe and the foot pads using a pixel-based method. Turkey toe and foot lesions have already been measured using a similar technique. In addition to the shape and diameter or surface area of perches, other factors to consider include height and material. Broiler breeders appear to like higher perches that are at least 5.50 cm tall.

Finally, our study offers important fundamental biometric information on broiler breeders. To comply with regulatory criteria, the foot pad, toe length, and body breadth must all be measured with digital precision. There are distinctions between broiler breeders and laying chickens. Gallus gallus' distinctive perching behaviour is exhibited by broiler breeders, hence supplying perches is crucial for their welfare. Because they are not like other poultry, the equipment used in broiler breeder buildings should be tailored to their body measurements.

Source: Veterinary Sciences