Poultry animal welfare

However, as the negative animal welfare impact associated with caged and other intensive indoor production systems became apparent, animal welfare became a primary driver for consumer demand and product differentiation in the poultry sector. As a result, both organic and conventional free range products have achieved significant market shares and price premiums compared to products from intensive indoor production in most European countries (Hamm et al., 2002). 

The trend towards larger flock sizes, while often perceived as undesirable from an animal welfare point of view, coincided with more professional practices being introduced into the organic poultry industry, especially with respect to food safety and HACCP based quality assurance systems. However, it did result in a decrease in time spent on individual animals and their welfare. 

Zollitsch W. and Baumung R. (2004). Protein supply for organic poultry options and shortcomings , in Hovi M. Sundrum A. and Padel S. Diversity of Livestock Systems and Definition of Animal Welfare, Proceeding of the 2nd SAFO Workshop 25-27 March 2004, Witzenhausen, Germany. University of Reading. 

Jones, R.B. and Hocking, P.M. (1999) Genetic selection for poultry behaviour big bad wolf or friend in need Animal Welfare 8, 343-359. 

The Farm Animal Welfare Council produces recommendations for the welfare of poultry and MAFF produces numerous publications dealing with management and welfare, available free of charge from MAFF Publications. As this is a developing market, the scene can change rapidly, so it is always advisable to seek up-to-date advice from UKROFS or from other bodies if their requirements exceed those of UKROFS. 

The modem factory ferming methods, with poultry, swine, and other farm animals kept in confinement and in crowded conditions, has been condemned by animal rights activists. They claim that because the animals are often not able to perform their natural and instinctive behaviors, they are suffering. Animal science departments have been aware of these criticisms and have developed a new field of farm animal welfare. Faculty positions in the emerging field have been filled, and students are being introduced to tbe concepts. Animal welfare is being studied academically in a manner tbat is validated and measured objectively and, tberefore, is reliable. The discipline considers the relationship of ferm animal welfare to the animals environment in three areas how the animals feel, their fitness and health, and their namral behaviors. 

Most organic poultry production is currently based on the same breeding stock as conventional farming and the principal problems (see above) are the same. The discussion group at the fourth NAHWOA Workshop (Network for Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture) identified the following main problems (Hirt et al 2001) ... 

Zollitsch W. (2003). Working group report Poultry production constraints and recommendations for enhancing health, welfare and food safety , in Hovi M., Martini A. and Padel S., Socio-Economic Aspects of Animal Health andFood Safety in Organic Farming System, Proceeding of the 1st SAFO Workshop 5-7 September 2003, Florence, Italy. University of Reading. 

---