• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.536-546
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• 2024

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of grain-based pecking blocks on productivity and welfare status at two commercial broiler welfare-certified farms. Methods: Production and welfare indicators were assessed at two farms (designated Farm A and B). Both farms had two windowless houses with forced tunnel-type ventilation and housed broilers at stocking densities of approximately 16.7 birds/m² (Farm A) and 16.8 birds/m² (Farm B). Each house was divided into two or three equal sections and was provided with or without pecking blocks. Grain-based pecking blocks, measuring 25 × 25 × 25 cm, were given to broilers in both farms at 1 block per 1,000 birds. Various parameters including productivity (body weight and flock uniformity), corticosterone levels (in fecal droppings and feathers), footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather dirtiness, gait score, litter quality, body surface temperature, and volatile fatty acids in fecal samples were assessed at 26 days of age, whereas litter quality was analyzed at 13 and 26 days of age. Results: There were no significant effects of providing pecking blocks on productivity (body weight and uniformity), fecal and feather corticosterone, welfare indicators (i.e., footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather cleanliness, and gait score), and litter quality (i.e., moisture, nitrogen, and pH). No differences in body surface temperature between the control and enrichment treatments were noted in Farm B, but body surface temperatures of the head (p = 0.029) and legs (p = 0.011) in the enrichment vs. control group were elevated in Farm A. Butyrate concentration in the enrichment vs control group was higher in Farm B (p = 0.023), but this effect was not detected in Farm A. Conclusion: It is concluded that grain-based pecking blocks did not affect performance and welfare indicators. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential impact of grain-based pecking blocks on gut health indicators.

• 월간양계
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• 제34권3호통권389호
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• pp.128-130
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• 2002

• 월간양계
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.148-152
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• 2023

• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.589-600
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• 2021

본 연구는 산란계 육성기 홰 재질(목재 및 철재)에 따른 체중, 혈액 특성 및 깃털 손상도를 평가하기 위해 수행되었다. 산란계(Hy-Line Brown) 초생추 암컷 1,700마리를 공시하여, 두 처리구에 10반복을 두어 pen 당 85수씩 균등하게 배치하였다. 산란계 육성기간 중 체중과 균일도는 2주마다 총 10주간 조사하였으며, 혈액 특성 및 깃털 손상도 조사는 10주에 진행하였다. 산란계 육성기 10주 동안 체중 및 체중 균일도에서 목재홰와 철재홰의 유의적인 차이가 없었으며, 혈청 생화학 분석 결과도 무기성 인 조절을 제외하고 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 혈청 내 인은 목재홰가 철재홰보다 유의적으로 높은 값을 나타내었다(P<0.05). 혈구 조성(백혈구, 적혈구, HE/LY 비율)도 두 처리구간의 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 스트레스와 복지지표로 사용되고 있는 혈청 내 corticosterone 함량과 깃털 손상도는 홰 재질에 따른 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 따라서 평사 사육 시에 산란계 육성기 동안의 홰 재질은 생산성, 혈액특성, 깃털 손상도에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 본 연구 결과는 산란계 육성기 동안 홰 재질에 대한 영향을 조사하기 위한 기초 자료로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.83-93
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• 2020

본 연구는 케이지 사육 시 사육밀도가 산란계의 깃털 손상도, 계란품질, 혈액성상 및 스트레스 호르몬 농도에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 산란계(Hy-Line Brown) 700수를 공시하여 배터리 케이지에 750 ㎠/수 및 500 ㎠/수 사육밀도 처리구로 50 반복을 두어 32주부터 60주까지 총 28주간 실시하였으며, 사료와 물은 자유 급이 하였다. 사육밀도가 증가함에 따라 주령이 증가할수록 깃털손상도가 증가하였으며, 등과 꼬리 부위의 손상이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 계란품질(난중, Haugh unit, 난각 강도 등)은 사육밀도에 따른 처리구 간 유의적 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 또한, 혈구 성분 및 혈액 생화학 지표는 사육밀도에 의한 영향을 받지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 시험종료 시점의 혈액과 깃털 내 스트레스 호르몬인 corticosterone 농도를 분석한 결과, 500 ㎠/수 사육밀도에서 사육 시 750 ㎠보다 높게 나타났다. 결론적으로 케이지에서 500 ㎠/수 사육밀도 사육은 산란계의 깃털손상도를 증가시켜 부정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 보이며, 향후 산란계의 행동과 관련된 추가 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.584-591
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• 2012

To evaluate the role of using forage, shade and shelterbelts in attracting birds into the range, three trials were undertaken with free range layers both on a research facility and on commercial farms. Each of the trials on the free range research facility in South Australia used a total of 120 laying hens (Hyline Brown). Birds were housed in an eco-shelter which had 6 internal pens of equal size with a free range area adjoining the shelter. The on-farm trials were undertaken on commercial free range layer farms in the Darling Downs in Southeast Queensland with bird numbers on farms ranging from 2,000-6,800 hens. The first research trial examined the role of shaded areas in the range; the second trial examined the role of forage and the third trial examined the influence of shelterbelts in the range. These treatments were compared to a free range area with no enrichment. Aggressive feather pecking was only observed on a few occasions in all of the trials due to the low bird numbers housed. Enriching the free range environment attracted more birds into the range. Shaded areas were used by 18% of the hens with a tendency (p = 0.07) for more hens to be in the paddock. When forage was provided in paddocks more control birds (55%) were observed in the range in morning than in the afternoon (30%) while for the forage treatments 45% of the birds were in the range both during the morning and afternoon. When shelterbelts were provided there was a significantly (p<0.05) higher % of birds in the range (43% vs. 24%) and greater numbers of birds were observed in areas further away from the poultry house. The results from the on-farm trials mirrored the research trials. Overall 3 times more hens used the shaded areas than the non shaded areas, with slightly more using the shade in the morning than in the afternoon. As the environmental temperature increased the number of birds using the outdoor shade also increased. Overall 17 times more hens used the shelterbelt areas than the control areas, with slightly more using the shelterbelts in the afternoon than in the morning. Approximately 17 times more birds used the forage areas compared to the control area in the corresponding range. There were 8 times more birds using a hay bale enriched area compared to the area with no hay bales. The use of forage sources (including hay bales) were the most successful method on-farm to attract birds into the range followed by shelterbelts and artificial shade. Free range egg farmers are encouraged to provide pasture, shaded areas and shelterbelts to attract birds into the free range.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.887-894
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• 2016

This study was conducted to compare the effects of layout of furniture (a perch, nest, and sandbox) in cages on behavior and welfare of hens. Two hundred and sixteen Hyline Brown laying hens were divided into five groups (treatments) with four replicates per group: small furnished cages (SFC), medium furnished cages type I (MFC-I), medium furnished cages type II (MFC-II), and medium furnished cages type III (MFC-III) and conventional cages (CC). The experiment started at 18 week of age and finished at 52 week of age. Hens' behaviors were filmed during the following periods: 8:00 to 10:00; 13:00 to 14:00; 16:00 to 17:00 on three separate days and two hens from each cage were measured for welfare parameters at 50 wk of age. The results showed that feeding and laying of all hens showed no effect by cage type (p>0.05), and the hens in the furnished cages had significantly lower standing and higher walking than CC hens (p<0.05). The birds in MFC-III had significant higher preening, scratching and feather-pecking behavior than in the other cages (p<0.05). No difference in nesting behavior was found in the hens between the furnished cages (p>0.05). The hens in MFC-I, -II, and -III showed a significant higher socializing behavior than SFC and CC (p<0.05). The lowest perching was for the hens in SFC and the highest perching found for the hens in MFC-III. Overall, the hens in CC showed poorer welfare conditions than the furnished cages, in which the feather condition score, gait score and tonic immobility duration of the hens in CC was significantly higher than SFC, MFC-I, MFC-II, and MFC-III (p<0.05). In conclusion, the furnished cage design affected both behavior and welfare states of hens. Overall, MFC-III cage design was better than SFC, MFC-I, and MFC-II cage designs.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권7호
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• pp.145-150
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• 2019

본 연구는 동물복지 인증기준의 개선을 위해 농가 현장조사를 실시하였으며, 더불어 국내 농가환경에 적합한 동물복지 수준평가 방법을 개발하고자 일부 인증 농가를 대상으로 동물복지 수준의 기초자료를 확보하고자 조사를 실시하였다. 연구조사의 대상은 동물복지 산란계 인증농가 10개소를 선정하였으며, 산란계 인증농가 사육시설 조사는 사육형태, 사육두수, 사료와 음수 공간, 사육밀도, 횃대의 길이 및 모양을 수집하였다. 동물복지 수준 평가는 모래목욕의 유무, 산란상 사용, 환경풍부화물 제공, 방사장 제공, 깃털손상, 쪼기에 의한 상처 유무를 조사였다. 연구결과는 동물복지 산란계 인증농가들의 대부분이 인증기준을 준수하고 있었다. 일부 농가에서 과도한 인증기준을 지적하였는데 실제 농가내부에 급이기, 급수기 및 횃대의 시설로 인해 닭들이 움직일 수 있는 공간이 제한적인 것으로 판단되었다. 모든 농가들에서 산란상을 제공하고 있었으나 방란율이 20%이상인 농가도 있어 산란상 활용에 문제가 있음을 확인하였다. 횃대의 경우 길이는 충족하고 있었으나 10개 농가 중 3개 농가에서만 둥근형태의 횃대를 사용하고 있었다. 모든 농가에서 깔짚을 제공하고 있었으나 보충 또는 교체가 이루어지지 않아 바닥이 단단해져 닭들이 모래목욕행동을 보이지 않는 농가도 2개소나 되었다. 환경풍부화물의 경우 사료 외에 풀사료 등을 제공하는 농가는 4개소로 조사되었다. 대부분의 조사농가에서 깃털손상이 확인되었는데 이것은 조사농가 모두 유정란을 생산하고 있어 수탉에 의한 깃털손상일 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구에서 10개소의 농가만 조사하였기 때문에 전체 인증농가를 대표할 수는 없으나 일부항목에서 조사농가들 사이에서도 큰 차이를 보이고 있어 동물복지 수준평가에 면밀한 분석이 이루어져야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국축산시설환경학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.61-80
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• 2010

Poultry welfare has recently appeared as worldwide concern as well as Korea. The recent action plan for farm animal welfare introduced by the European Commission intends to expand the body of regulatory standards. In this context, many countries and/or organization are on the verge of establishing the most optimum poultry welfare standards. To establish the most optimum standards, comparative analysis of feeding regimen before and after welfare-bestowed environment need to be preceded. Most guidelines or standards for poultry welfare do not suggest the nutritional requirements and feeding system in detail, although it is deterimental especially for the farmer. This review intends to find scientific base to establish detailed welfare feeding guidelines. However, only limited research has been conducted in the view of actual poultry welfare. The results indicated the incidence of SDS, ascites, skeletal dysfunctions caused by fast growth rate in broiler, feather pecking and cannibalism in laying hen, and feed restriction in broiler breeder could be reduced by changing nutritional regimen and feeding strategies or both. The regimen and feeding strategies are certainly near to the direction that the poultry welfare ought to be in the right track. In this article, feeding and drinking guidelines in many standards as well as welfare feeding experiments have been reviewed and compared In the view of chicken productivity, welfare physiology and poultry health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.1619-1637
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• 2000

A review was undertaken to obtain information on the range of beak-trimming methods available or under development. Beak-trimming of commercial layer replacement pullets is a common yet critical management tool that can affect the performance for the life of the flock. The most obvious advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in cannibalism although the extent of the reduction in cannibalism depends on the strain, season, and type of housing, flock health and other factors. Beak-trimming also improves feed conversion by reducing food wastage. A further advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in the chronic stress associated with dominance interactions in the flock. Beak-trimming of birds at 7-10 days is favoured by Industry but research over last 10 years has shown that beak-trimming at day-old causes the least stress on birds and efforts are needed to encourage Industry to adopt the practice of beak-trimming birds at day-old. Proper beak-trimming can result in greatly improved layer performance but improper beak-trimming can ruin an other wise good flock of hens. Re-trimming is practiced in most flocks, although there are some flocks that only need one trimming. Given the continuing welfare scrutiny of using a hot blade to cut the beak, attempts have been made to develop more welfare friendly methods of beak-trimming. Despite the developments in design of hot blade beak-trimmers the process has remained largely unchanged. That is, a red-hot blade cuts and cauterises the beak. The variables in the process are blade temperature, cauterisation time, operator ability, severity of trimming, age of trimming, strain of bird and beak length. This method of beak-trimming is still overwhelmingly favoured in Industry and there appears to be no other alternative procedures that are more effective. Sharp secateurs have been used trim the upper beak of both layers and turkeys. Bleeding from the upper mandible ceases shortly after the operation, and despite the regrowth of the beak a reduction of cannibalism has been reported. Very few differences have been noted between behaviour and production of the hot blade and cold blade cut chickens. This method has not been used on a large scale in Industry. There are anecdotal reports of cannibalism outbreaks in birds with regrown beaks. A robotic beak-trimming machine was developed in France, which permitted simultaneous, automated beak-trimming and vaccination of day-old chicks of up to 4,500 chickens per hour. Use of the machine was not successful because if the chicks were not loaded correctly they could drop off the line, receive excessive beak-trimming or very light trimming. Robotic beak-trimming was not effective if there was a variation in the weight or size of chickens. Capsaicin can cause degeneration of sensory nerves in mammals and decreases the rate of beak regrowth by its action on the sensory nerves. Capsaicin is a cheap, non-toxic substance that can be readily applied at the time of less severe beak-trimming. It suffers the disadvantage of causing an extreme burning sensation in operators who come in contact with the substance during its application to the bird. Methods of applying the substance to minimise the risk to operators of coming in contact with capsaicin need to be explored. A method was reported which cuts the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. No details were provided on the type of laser used, or the severity of beak-trimming, but by 16 weeks the beaks of laser trimmed birds resembled the untrimmed beaks, but without the bill tip. Feather pecking and cannibalism during the laying period were highest among the laser trimmed hens. Currently laser machines are available that are transportable and research to investigate the effectiveness of beak-trimming using ablasive and coagulative lasers used in human medicine should be explored. Liquid nitrogen was used to declaw emu toes but was not effective. There was regrowth of the claws and the time and cost involved in the procedure limit the potential of using this process to beak-trim birds.