Animal Bioscience

Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (아세아태평양축산학회)
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Effects of grain-based pecking blocks on productivity and welfare indicators in commercial broiler chickens

  • Byung-Yeon Kwon (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Hyun-Gwan Lee (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Yong-Sung Jeon (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Ju-Yong Song (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Jina Park (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Sang-Ho Kim (K-AniWel) ;
  • Dong-Wook Kim (Department of Livestock, Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries) ;
  • Kyung-Woo Lee (Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University)
  • Received : 2023.09.25
  • Accepted : 2023.12.12
  • Published : 2024.03.01
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Abstract

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of grain-based pecking blocks on productivity and welfare status at two commercial broiler welfare-certified farms. Methods: Production and welfare indicators were assessed at two farms (designated Farm A and B). Both farms had two windowless houses with forced tunnel-type ventilation and housed broilers at stocking densities of approximately 16.7 birds/m2 (Farm A) and 16.8 birds/m2 (Farm B). Each house was divided into two or three equal sections and was provided with or without pecking blocks. Grain-based pecking blocks, measuring 25 × 25 × 25 cm, were given to broilers in both farms at 1 block per 1,000 birds. Various parameters including productivity (body weight and flock uniformity), corticosterone levels (in fecal droppings and feathers), footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather dirtiness, gait score, litter quality, body surface temperature, and volatile fatty acids in fecal samples were assessed at 26 days of age, whereas litter quality was analyzed at 13 and 26 days of age. Results: There were no significant effects of providing pecking blocks on productivity (body weight and uniformity), fecal and feather corticosterone, welfare indicators (i.e., footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather cleanliness, and gait score), and litter quality (i.e., moisture, nitrogen, and pH). No differences in body surface temperature between the control and enrichment treatments were noted in Farm B, but body surface temperatures of the head (p = 0.029) and legs (p = 0.011) in the enrichment vs. control group were elevated in Farm A. Butyrate concentration in the enrichment vs control group was higher in Farm B (p = 0.023), but this effect was not detected in Farm A. Conclusion: It is concluded that grain-based pecking blocks did not affect performance and welfare indicators. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential impact of grain-based pecking blocks on gut health indicators.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was carried out with the support of "2025 Livestock Industrialization Technology Development Program (Project No. RS-2021-RD009994)" Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

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