Regarding the current lack of knowledge on the behavioural requirements of slow-growing broiler chickens, various questions were raised, such as:
- What is the optimum perch design for slow-growing breeds and how does it affects (leg) health?
- What are the effects of certain types of enrichment, for instance platforms, on fearfulness?*
- Is there an optimum number of enrichments per number of chickens that should be provided?
- What is the effect of single enrichment with multiple functions compared to different enrichments on behaviour and welfare?*
- Do ‘loosely pressed’ bales meet the requirements for explorative behaviour (pecking) of the birds more than ‘firmly pressed’ bales?*
- Is it possible to use larvae as an attractive type of enrichment which can stimulate foraging behaviour even more?
- How does variation in light intensities across the broiler house affect behaviour and welfare of the birds?*
- Can we optimise light distribution across the broiler house by, for instance, providing light through windows along the side walls of the house instead of in the roof?*
- Can we create different functional areas in the broiler house with different light intensities and/or colour temperatures in combination with enrichment?
- What are the colour preferences of slow-growing chickens in relation to age and behaviour?
- Can UV enrichment have positive effects on behaviour and welfare?
- Do young chicks avoid high intensity natural light? What are their preferences for natural light/intensity in relation to age? What is the effect of the provision of dark brooders to slow-growing breeds at the start of the production cycle?*
- What are the effects of the interaction between lighting conditions and enrichment on chicken behaviour and welfare?
From this list, a limited number of research questions will be selected and used for the design of experiments on enrichment provision (year: 2020) and on light provision (year: 2021) in slow-growing broiler chickens. Priority will be given to the questions marked with an asterisk (some can be
combined in one experiment). Different slow-growing breeds are used nowadays, and may differ with regard to their requirements for enrichment and light. Nevertheless, the main focus of the
experiments will be on Hubbard breeds, which are considered representative of the Dutch slow-growing broiler market at the moment. Although it is not in the scope of the project, epigenetic effects may be taken into account in one of the experiments, but a final decision will be made on the course of the project.
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Table 1 Overview of the requirements for the provision of daylight, dark period and use of enrichment in systems used for broiler production in The Netherlands (N/A = information not available). Source: Henk-Jan Schuurman (De Hoop Mengvoeders B.V., Zelhem, The Netherlands, personal communication); Ellen, et al. (2012); Saatkamp, et al. (2019), Dierenbescherming (2019).
Concept Requirements Maximum daily growth1 Stocking density
Daylight in the stable Dark period Enrichment Regular (EU legislation) No requirement 6 h of darkness, of which 4 h
are continuous
No requirement Not regulation 18-21 birds/m2 (33, 39 or
max. 42 kg/m2)
McDonald’s (regular) Provided through openings in the roof or in the facades (at least 3%
of the useable area)
N/A During the whole production
cycle: 2 meters of perches per 1000 birds, and at least 1 pecking object per 1000 birds. From 8 days of age onwards: 1.5 bale of straw, hay or Lucerne, or plastic packaged wood-shavings (at least 10 kg) per 1000 birds
Not specified N/A
Deen, Deka, Dirk, COOP, Hoogvliet, Jan Linders, MCD, Poiesz, Spar, Vomar (Groenland Kip)
At least 3% of the useable area
6 h of continuous darkness Pecking stones (1 stone/250 m2), elevated platforms (1m2/2500 birds)
50 gram 15-16 birds/m2 (max. 38
kg/m2)
Boon's markt and MCD (Betere kip), Picnic and Boni (Comfort), Nettorama (Kiplekker)
At least 3% of the useable area
6 h of continuous darkness From 15 days of age onwards: 1 bale of straw, Lucerne or hay per 500 birds, 2 grams of grain per bird scattered on the ground
50 gram 15 birds/m2
Concept Requirements Maximum daily growth1 Stocking density Daylight in the stable Dark period Enrichment
Albert Heijn (nieuwe AH kip)
No requirement 6 h of continuous darkness 1 straw bale/1000 birds 50 gram max. 38 kg/m2
Plus (nieuwe Plus kip) At least 3% of the useable area
6 h of darkness 1 straw bale/1000 birds 50 gram max. 38 kg/m2
LIDL At least 3% of the
useable area
6 h of continuous darkness Distraction material, such as pecking objects (1 object per 150 m² of useable area), and elevated platforms (1 element per 150 m² of useable area)
50 gram max. 38 kg/m2
Aldi At least 3% of the
useable area
6 h of continuous darkness From 15 days of age onwards: 2 grams of grain per bird scattered on the ground, 1 straw bale per 1000 birds or 1 pecking stone per 200 m2
50 gram 15 birds/m2 (max. 34 kg/m2)
Jumbo (nieuwe standaard kip)
At least 3% of the useable area
8 h of continuous darkness From 15 days of age onwards: daily scattering of at least 2 grams of grain per bird, 1 whole bale (at least 20 kg) of straw, hay, Lucerne or maize per 1000 birds
45 gram 13.5 birds/m2 (max. 30
kg/m2)
Beter Leven keurmerk (1 star)
At least 3% of the useable area
At least 8 h of continuous darkness
From 8 days of age onwards: 1 bale (15-20 kg) of straw, hay or Lucerne per 1000 birds. From 15 days of age onwards: daily scattering of at least 2
45 gram 12 birds/m2 (max. 25 kg/m2)
Concept Requirements Maximum daily growth1 Stocking density Daylight in the stable Dark period Enrichment
grams of grain (or feed) per bird, done manually by the farmer
Organic Provided At least 8 h of continuous
darkness
No requirement Not specified 10 birds/m2 (max. 21 kg/m2)
1 Dependent on the supermarket concept, different slow growing breeds may be used such as Hubbard JA (957, 757, 257), Ranger classic, Rowan Ranger, Ranger Gold, Rambler Ranger, Cobb Sasso 150, Sasso SA 451 N.
Hubbard breeds have a share of approximately 75% of the total Dutch slow-growing broiler market (Van Boekholt, pers. comm.). Slow-growing broiler chickens are defined as broiler chickens produced by slow-growing female parent stock that are crossed with a regular or slow-growing male. These broiler breeds are either accredited by the Dutch SPA with the ‘Beter Leven’ quality label (maximum average daily growth of 45 grams) or fall
Hubbard breeds have a share of approximately 75% of the total Dutch slow-growing broiler market (Van Boekholt, pers. comm.). Slow-growing broiler chickens are defined as broiler chickens produced by slow-growing female parent stock that are crossed with a regular or slow-growing male. These broiler breeds are either accredited by the Dutch SPA with the ‘Beter Leven’ quality label (maximum average daily growth of 45 grams) or fall