Comparison of cage versus floor rearing systems on broiler performance, welfare and behavioral parameters

Résumé 0

This study was carried to determine the effects of the floor type (litter rearing and sledge cage system) on performance, welfare and behaviour parameters of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were reared in two different rearing systems; sledge cage system (CS) and litter floor system (FS) until 42 weeks of age. The final body weight and body weight gain between 1-42 days of age were tend to be higher in FS than CS system (P=0.060). The cumulative feed consumption was similar between the  rearing systems at 1-21, 1-28, 1-35 and 1-42 days of age periods (P>0.05). The feed conversion ratio was lower in FS than in CS system (P=0.004). The productivity index was higher in FS than CS system at 1-42 days of age period (P=0.008). The plumage cleanliness score was higher and foot pad dermatitis was lower in FS than in CS (P=0.010 and P=0.0001). The gait score was found similar in both rearing system but numerically lower gait problem was found in FS than CS system (P>0.05). The tonic immobility duration and induction number were found similar in both rearing system (P>0.05). The higher eating, scracthing, wing clap-body shaking, spot pecking; and lesser sleeping behaviour were observed in FS than in CS (P=0.011, P=0.009, P=0.047, P=0.001 and P=0.003; respectively). The drinking, walking, standing and sitting behaviour of broilers were found similar in both rearing system (P>0.05). The wing-leg streching, feather maintanence and pecking each other behaviour of broilers were found similar in both rearing system (P>0.05). The aggressive pecking behaviour was tend to observed more in FS than in CS system (P=0.062). It has been determined that broilers had better performance, welfare and behaviour parameters in the floor-rearing system when the litter condition is good. Keywords: Behaviour; Broiler; Performance; Rearing systems; Welfare