Welfare and performance of slower growing broiler breeders during rearing

Current commercial strains of broiler breeders can only achieve an optimal reproductive performance under feed restriction. However, chronic feed restriction in broiler breeders is a welfare concern because of physiological and behavioral signs of hunger, lack of satiety, and frustrated feeding motivation. The objective of this research was to assess the welfare and performance of slower growing broiler breeders during rearing. A total of 360 broiler breeder chicks from 3 female strains (100 chicks per strain) and 2 male strains (20 and 40 chicks per strain) were raised in four identical pens per strain. Strain B and C pullets and X cockerels were slower growing strains, and strain A pullets and Y cockerels were intermediate growing strains. Birds were weighed and scored individually for footpad lesions, hock burns and feather coverage. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with pen nested in the models and age as a repeated measure. Compared to B and C pullets, strain A pullets grew faster, had poorer body weight uniformity, and started feed restriction 2 wk earlier to control growth rate. Strain A pullets also had higher feeding rate at 3 and 5 wk, higher water intake at 4 and 5 wk, and higher prevalence of footpad lesions at 6 wk than the other pullet strains. Fault bars in wing feathers (an indicator of chronic stress) were more numerous in A pullets than in B and C pullets. Our results indicate that pullets showed little feather coverage loss during early rearing and had good body weight uniformity and low cumulative feed intake at the end of rearing. Slower growing broiler breeders may still require some degree of feed restriction to control growth rate, and strains with lower feed restriction exhibited lower signs of feeding frustration and high body weight uniformity.