The positive impact of straw bales on the well-being of fast-growing broiler chickens

French scientists have found that it is possible to protect broilers from lameness even with a fairly tight fit, if you use straw platforms.

Fast growing broiler chickens usually experience HEALTH problems such as foot and hock lesions or difficulty walking due to their genetics or lack of litter environment.

A study by scientists from the French Agency for Food Hygiene and Safety, Environment and Occupation (ANSES) in collaboration with colleagues from Denmark assessed the impact of raised platforms - straw bales - on the welfare of fast-growing broilers raised at two different stocking densities.

Higher stocking densities had a negative impact on foot and hock injuries and walking ability, while straw enrichment at both stocking densities partially reduced the problems.

In traditional industrial rearing systems, fast growing broiler chickens typically experience welfare issues such as contact dermatitis, walking difficulties or lack of species-specific behaviour.

Environmental enrichment can be a way to improve poultry management.

A total of 14,994 Ross 308 broilers were housed in 12 pens according to 4 treatments: 31 kg/m 2 with or without straw enrichment and 41 kg/m 2 with or without enrichment.

Walking ability of broilers, paw pad dermatitis (FPD), hock burns (HB), weight, mortality and litter quality were assessed. Stocking density negatively affected FPD and HB, while straw enrichment reduced FPD and HB frequency at both densities.

The results confirm that the enriched environment improves the well-being of the chicks in the stalls, regardless of stocking density.