Housing and Management of Broiler Breeders and Turkey Breeders

摘要

This chapter describes the housing and management of broiler breeders and turkey breeders in Europe. The majority of broiler breeders in Europe are the standard, fast growing genotype, but 18-20% of the broiler breeders are dwarf parental females thatproduce standard and alternative (medium or slow growing) broilers. Broiler breeder housing systems are very similar in rearing and production; a low percentage of birds are in cages, and alternative systems are not used. Broiler breeders are generallyhoused in climate-controlled houses with litter floors during the rearing period and partially slatted floors during the production period. Males and females are reared separately until 18-21 weeks of age and then transferred to the production farm wherethey are housed together until 60-65 weeks of age. The restricted feeding regime during rearing is generally seen as one of the major welfare issues in broiler breeders as it leads to chronic hunger and frustration of the feeding motivation. The majority (>95%) of turkey breeders in Europe are of either heavy or heavy medium genotype with white plumage. The remainder of the turkey market consists of small strain white or coloured birds for whole bird seasonal production. Both conventional large strainturkeys and small strain traditional turkeys are used for outdoor/alter native production systems. Rearing of breeding turkeys is floor based on deep litter, and predominantly in environmentally controlled housing. Males and females are reared separatelyuntil 29 weeks of age and then transferred to laying facilities. Male parent stock is selected at 16-18 weeks paying attention to health, fitness, plumage and conformation. Laying facilities are either open-sided houses or controlled environment for breeder females, and typically controlled environment housing for breeder males. Breeding turkeys are kept in production until 56-60 weeks of age (i.e. 24-28 weeks lay). Quantitative feed restriction is applied in breeder males from selection age (16-18 weeks) to end of production, to maximize fitness and reproduction. Breeder females are fed unrestricted throughout rearing but on a lower-protein diet to avoid fatness of the hens. Injurious pecking is generally seen as the most important welfare issue in flocks where beak trimming is not applied.