Commercial Poultry Production Stocking Density Influence on Bird Health and Performance Indicators

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Poultry production aims for a stocking density of birds that will promote bird welfare and remain economically efficient. Most research that has examined the link between stocking density and bird welfare has been conducted in experimental facilities with a much smaller area and flock size, compared to commercial facilities. The current study is based on a large set of data from commercial broiler facilities. The results suggest that the stocking density has little impact on the number of mortalities and the quality of the meat. However, we did find increased growth rates at higher stocking densities which contrast with previous published results. ABSTRACT: This study examines poultry production stocking density (SD) effect on bird welfare and economic performance. It is based on a large dataset from commercial production including observations for 2.2 million male broilers and 2.3 million female broilers from 37 production sites, with SD ranging from 20.63 kg/m(2) to 41.15 kg/m(2). The data collection was originally motivated by a processor’s economic concerns that increasing SD could cause slower broiler growth, higher condemnations, and lower grade meat. The data was examined using several linear regressions to determine how production parameters impacted these performance indicators. Results regarding foot pad lesion, condemnations, and mortality rates are consistent with those found in the literature. However, we find that daily weight gain is positively associated with SD, contrasting with past experimental results. The difference between the scope of commercial and experimental productions is discussed as a possible reason for these conflicting results.