80. The primary breeding companies have a responsibility to ensure that the stock they produce is suitable for the market and can achieve a high standard of welfare. More sophisticated selection procedures have been established over recent years which can now take into account a wide range of traits, many of which have potential welfare benefits. We look to the industry to ensure factors such as cardio-vascular health, foot and leg health, social behaviour and resistance to disease are given high priority.
81. The problem of hunger in broiler breeders is not easy to solve with present strains of birds and is likely to get worse if selection for fast growth continues. A long-term solution is to change the genetic strains but, in any case, breeders must avoid exacerbating the problem and reduce their demand for ever increasing growth rates.
Recommendation
82. The objectives of the breeding companies in the future development of strains of broilers should include welfare improvement, in particular the avoidance of problems of prolonged hunger in broiler breeders.