Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare
In standard broiler production systems, birds do not have outdoor access and spend their entire lives in the same environment. A covered veranda can improve broilers’ living conditions by providing access to different environments and to areas with varying space availability (i.e. different stocking...
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Poultry Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125005905 |
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| author | F. Mocz J-P. Moysan L. Warin A. Keita V. Michel M. Guinebretière |
| author_facet | F. Mocz J-P. Moysan L. Warin A. Keita V. Michel M. Guinebretière |
| author_sort | F. Mocz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In standard broiler production systems, birds do not have outdoor access and spend their entire lives in the same environment. A covered veranda can improve broilers’ living conditions by providing access to different environments and to areas with varying space availability (i.e. different stocking densities), while also allowing them to experience outdoor sensory stimulations and protecting them from predators and the risk of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the welfare and health of broilers with access to a covered veranda. Redbro broilers were randomly assigned to six identical enriched rooms (with elevated platform and alfalfa bales), each containing 2,478 birds (final stocking density of 26 kg/m²). Three rooms had access to a covered veranda from 22 days of age (D22), while the other three had no such access (control). Footpad dermatitis, hock burns and gait were assessed on D36. We also measured activity levels (D34 and D37), use of the covered veranda (from D22 to slaughter), litter quality (D34 and D37), as well as feed and water consumption throughout the rearing period. Mortality and body weight were also monitored. Access to a covered veranda did not affect mortality, body weight, litter quality, or feed and water consumption. None of the broilers from either treatment group exhibited gait issues or footpad dermatitis. However, the prevalence of hock burns was lower in the broilers having access to a covered veranda. Additionally, more active behaviors were observed among broilers from the covered veranda group than from the control group. The covered verandas were frequently used, with usage increasing as the broilers aged. Within a day, use was more frequent in the morning and decreased thereafter. Providing access to a covered veranda improved bird welfare without negatively impacting zootechnical indicators. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0032-5791 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Poultry Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-bdf3ed2299ae4cc48c3fb265f75ee9f32025-08-20T03:31:23ZengElsevierPoultry Science0032-57912025-08-01104810534710.1016/j.psj.2025.105347Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfareF. Mocz0J-P. Moysan1L. Warin2A. Keita3V. Michel4M. Guinebretière5Epidemiology, Health and Welfare Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Anses, BP 53 Route de Beaucemaine, Ploufragan, 22440, France; Corresponding author.Avian Experimental Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, FranceTechnical Institute for Poultry (ITAVI), Nouzilly, 37380, FranceAvian Experimental Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Ploufragan, FranceDirection of Strategy and Programmes, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, FranceEpidemiology, Health and Welfare Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Anses, BP 53 Route de Beaucemaine, Ploufragan, 22440, FranceIn standard broiler production systems, birds do not have outdoor access and spend their entire lives in the same environment. A covered veranda can improve broilers’ living conditions by providing access to different environments and to areas with varying space availability (i.e. different stocking densities), while also allowing them to experience outdoor sensory stimulations and protecting them from predators and the risk of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the welfare and health of broilers with access to a covered veranda. Redbro broilers were randomly assigned to six identical enriched rooms (with elevated platform and alfalfa bales), each containing 2,478 birds (final stocking density of 26 kg/m²). Three rooms had access to a covered veranda from 22 days of age (D22), while the other three had no such access (control). Footpad dermatitis, hock burns and gait were assessed on D36. We also measured activity levels (D34 and D37), use of the covered veranda (from D22 to slaughter), litter quality (D34 and D37), as well as feed and water consumption throughout the rearing period. Mortality and body weight were also monitored. Access to a covered veranda did not affect mortality, body weight, litter quality, or feed and water consumption. None of the broilers from either treatment group exhibited gait issues or footpad dermatitis. However, the prevalence of hock burns was lower in the broilers having access to a covered veranda. Additionally, more active behaviors were observed among broilers from the covered veranda group than from the control group. The covered verandas were frequently used, with usage increasing as the broilers aged. Within a day, use was more frequent in the morning and decreased thereafter. Providing access to a covered veranda improved bird welfare without negatively impacting zootechnical indicators.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125005905WelfareBroilerHealthBehaviorCovered veranda |
| spellingShingle | F. Mocz J-P. Moysan L. Warin A. Keita V. Michel M. Guinebretière Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare Poultry Science Welfare Broiler Health Behavior Covered veranda |
| title | Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| title_full | Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| title_fullStr | Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| title_short | Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| title_sort | positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare |
| topic | Welfare Broiler Health Behavior Covered veranda |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125005905 |
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