Document type: scientific article published in British Poultry Science
Authors: B. F. Sevinç B. Yılmaz Dikmen
Preview: This study examined the impact of perch-based enrichment on the growth performance, welfare, and behavioral parameters of broilers. A total of 180 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were used in this study. The experiment was conducted using six pens in a commercial broiler house, each with three deep litter systems and three perch-based enriched systems. Both rearing systems had similar effects on final body weight, final body weight gain, cumulative feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and mortality rate (p ≥ 0.05). The broilers in the deep litter system had worse hock burn (p = 0.000) and gait score (p = 0.052) than the enriched system. Plumage cleanliness, body wounds, toe damage, foot pad and bumble foot lesions, and tonic immobility reaction had similar effects on both systems (p ≥ 0 .05). The investigated behaviors were similar in both systems (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, perch-based enrichment had no significant effects on broiler growth performance, behavior, or most welfare indicators. However, perch-based enrichment improved hock burn and tended to improve gait.
