Animal Welfare in Small Poultry Flocks Anne Fanatico, Ph.D. USDA Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit, Fayetteville, AR
Small-scale poultry production Small producers provide outdoor access, natural feed, no routine medications Sell to directly to consumers
Animal Welfare Biological Functioning Bird is healthy, growing, reproducing well Affective State Pain, fear, frustration, content Natural Living Bird should express behaviors of species Fraser, 2008
Industry welfare standards United Egg Producers National Chicken Council National Turkey Federation Endorsed by Food Marketing Institute and by National Council of Chain Restaurants
Independent Welfare Assurance Organizations Certified Humane American Humane Certified Animal Welfare Approved
Comprehensive programs cover Production Management Processing Record-keeping; audit Annual on-site inspection
Most small-scale scale poultry producers do not participate in welfare assurance programs Producer is solely responsible for welfare of flock
Housing Must protect birds from elements (rain, direct sun, cold, wind, heat)
In open-sided housing/shelters, birds often do not remain dry or may be exposed to wind Panting indicates heat stress; huddling indicates cold
Outdoor Area Birds should be able to express natural behaviors like foraging, running, flying, dustbathing Bird behavior is limited when confined to a pen
Birds should be protected from predators Use predator-proof proof housing, electric net fences; Birds of prey: use net, distraction, dog Avoid muddy or overworn areas Provide shade/shelter on pasture
Stock High-yielding birds Efficient meat producers, but possible welfare issues Lameness, metabolic problems AWA limits the use of fast-growing birds Only permits slow- growing
Impact of Genotype and Production Systems on Gait Score 100% 80% All treatments *** PS (Fast) *** 60% 40% 100% 0 53% 2 100% 0 77% 2 20% 31% 1 0% Slow-Out Fast-Out Slow-In Fast-In 0 1 2 3 4 5 Source: Fanatico et al. 2008. Poult. Sci. 87:1012-1021
Health Prevent the introduction of disease with vaccinations as needed and good biosecurity/sanitation practices
If there is no vet, use state diagnostic lab resources Risk of poor welfare is high if treatment is needed but not obtained
Beak-trimming not practiced by small flock producers Must ensure no feather-pecking or cannibalism
Feeding Birds need a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements Good pasture/range helps Provide fresh water Birds drink less if water is too hot or too cold
Management Inspect daily Birds should not show signs of illness, injury, thinness, lameness, parasitism, soiled or damaged feathers, fractured bones, ulcerations on foot pads Birds that cannot recover should be humanely euthanized Cervical dislocation or rapid decapitation
Catching and transport Limit feed withdrawal to no more than 8 hours (AWA, 2008) Hold birds individually and upright; or by both legs During transport, protect birds from heat or cold Limit transport to no more than 4 hours (AWA, 2008)
Slaughter Avoid live shackling if possible; use cone or other restraint Bird should feel no pain at slaughter Stun before cutting neck Effective stun should result in instant loss of consciousness or not cause distress Poultry stun not required by law
Small-scale Stun Methods Electrical Stun knife (whole body stun) Head-only stun Captive bolt Gas Penetrating or concussive Carbon dioxide has euthanizing effect but aversive over 30%; use in combination with oxygen or inert gas or biphasic
75% argon and 25% CO2
Research is needed on captive bolt, head-only stun, and gas stun Carcass damage may result from wing flapping and convulsions
Impact of Stun Methods of Broilers Treatment Blood Loss Convulsions Total Carcass Defects 0-10 sec 10-60 sec 60-120 sec No stun 3.03 2 3 a 3 a 4.2 Head stun 3.03 2.4 1.8 b 1.2 b 4.8 Body stun Low Body stun High 3.16 2.25 1.75 b 1.0 b 3.5 3.64 1.2 1.6 b 1.2 b 2.4 Scores on a 4-point scale: 1= none to mild quiver; 4 = violent full body movement Source: Fanatico, A.C., W. Kuenzel, and C.M. Owens, unpublished data
Birds should be dead before entering scalder After stunning, cut all vessels in neck Bleed for at least 2 minutes
Conclusions Many inherent welfare advantages to small flocks Outdoor access, generous space, natural molting, little transportation and handling However, some practices can be hard to justify from welfare point of view Inadequate housing, confinement on pasture, no stunning Welfare of farm animals is not protected by law as much as other animals Producer has sole responsibility for bird well-being