Welfare of Breeding Stocks of Poultry

• Poultry breeding stocks are parent birds (broiler breeders and layer breeders) maintained for producing fertile eggs for hatcheries.

Welfare issues in breeding poultry are more complex than in commercial flocks because:

• Genetic selection for high productivity (rapid growth in broilers, high egg output in layers) creates physiological and behavioral challenges.
• Breeding birds often face feed restriction, housing stress, and health problems to maintain reproductive efficiency.

Key Welfare Issues in Broiler Breeders

a. Feed Restriction

• Necessary to prevent obesity and reproductive failure.
• Birds often fed at only 25–30 percent of voluntary intake.
• Causes chronic hunger, frustration, aggression, and abnormal behaviors (feather pecking, pacing).

b. Health Problems

• Overweight males suffer from leg disorders, reduced fertility, and cardiovascular problems.
• Females may face injuries during mating due to large size of males.

c. Housing Concerns

• High stocking densities lead to stress, poor litter quality, and increased risk of footpad dermatitis.
• Limited opportunities for natural behaviors (dust bathing, perching).

d. Behavioral Issues

• Increased aggression and pecking due to hunger and competition.
• Development of stereotypies like excessive drinking (polydipsia).

Key Welfare Issues in Layer Breeders

a. Beak Trimming

• Common to reduce feather pecking and cannibalism but causes acute and sometimes chronic pain.

b. Aggression and Feather Pecking

• Crowded housing leads to severe feather damage, injuries, and stress.

c. Lack of Nesting Opportunities

• Insufficient nest boxes or poor design causes frustration and increases floor eggs.

d. Housing Systems

• Cages restrict movement, dust bathing, perching, and foraging.
• Floor systems may allow natural behavior but increase risks of cannibalism and disease if poorly managed.

Common Welfare Concerns Across Poultry Breeders

• Genetic selection for productivity results in welfare trade-offs (fast growth vs. fertility, high egg production vs. bone fragility).
• Restricted feeding to manage body weight leads to hunger and stress.
• Health issues: lameness, skeletal deformities, reproductive problems.
• Environmental limitations: poor litter quality, overcrowding, lack of enrichment.
• Handling and mating stress: rough handling during artificial insemination or natural mating can cause injuries.

Welfare Improvement Strategies

a. Feeding Strategies

• Use of high-fiber diets or scatter feeding to prolong feeding time and reduce hunger.
• Precision feeding (individual feed control) to balance intake.

b. Environmental Enrichment

• Perches, dust baths, pecking blocks, and foraging materials.
• Sufficient nest boxes for females to express nesting behavior.

c. Housing Improvements

• Group housing with lower stocking density.
• Better litter management to prevent footpad dermatitis and hock burns.

d. Breeding Programs

• Select for robustness, fertility, and health traits along with productivity.
• Avoid extreme selection for rapid growth in broiler breeders.

e. Health and Handling

• Routine monitoring for lameness, feather condition, and reproductive health.
• Gentle handling and proper training of stockpersons to minimize stress.