Ahead to PART III - THE WELFARE ISSUES STOCKMANSHIP AND TRAINING |
14. Broiler breeders are reared in deep litter houses that have the lighting, temperature and ventilation controlled. Houses are normally sub-divided into pens containing about 1000 birds. Body weights are carefully monitored on a weekly basis and the body condition physically assessed by trained personnel. Depending on breed and strain, the body weight of an 18 week old broiler breeder will be in the region of 2kg. To achieve recommended body weights throughout the rearing period, feed intake is controlled and to ensure that all birds receive a fair share, great emphasis is placed on feed distribution methods. Birds are grouped by weight and it is necessary to transfer some individuals between groups periodically so as to adjust their feed intake and body weight to the target growth path.
15. Modern broiler breeder houses generally provide about two thirds of their floor area as litter and one third as a raised, slatted area. In recent years it has become common practice to provide separate feeders for the hens and the cockerels to control feed intakes, and hence body weights, of each separately. Controlling the weight of hens prevents too-rapid growth and deposition of fat which seriously affects their longevity and egg-laying performance. Controlling the cockerels' weight improves their mating behaviour, semen count and foot and leg health.
16. Male and female birds are subject to different feeding
levels and they have different feed access. Cockerel feeders are
suspended out of reach of the hens. Hen feeders deny access to
the cockerels by the use of metal grills ("toast
racks") or covers above the trough, set with a gap, which
allow for the differences in head dimensions between the sexes.
As in the rearing houses, the feeding space must be adequate and
feed must be distributed rapidly and evenly to ensure minimum
competition at feeding time. Pan feeders have recently been
introduced which offer a more sophisticated means of separating
male and female feed supply. Whichever system is used, a high
standard of stockmanship is essential.