Adaptation to organic rearing system of eight different chicken genotypes: behaviour, welfare and performance. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castellini, Cesare; Mugnai, Cecilia; Moscati, Livia; Mattioli, Simona; Guarino Amato, Monica; Cartoni Mancinelli, Alice; Dal Bosco, Alessandro
• Is Part Of: Italian journal of animal science. Volume 15:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Behaviour -- chicken genotype -- organic rearing system -- performance -- welfare; Animal culture -- Periodicals; Livestock -- Italy -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Italy -- Periodicals; Animal culture; Livestock; Veterinary medicine; Italy; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: Http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1828051X.2015.1131893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1828-051X

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the study was to define poultry adaptability to organic system, through the assessment of several endpoints. Eight hundred male birds of slow-growing birds (Ancona: A, Leghorn: L, crossbreed Cornish × Leghorn: CL), medium-growing (Gaina: G, Robusta Maculata: RM, Kabir: K, Naked Neck: NN) and fast-growing strains (Ross: R) were organically reared. A and L genotypes displayed a quicker reaction time when submitted to tonic immobility test, and a great variety of behaviour and exploiting all the pasture area. Concerning feather conditions L, A, CL G and RM showed the best values for all considered body regions, as well as the absolute absence of foot pad and breast blister lesions. Static behaviour of R and G chickens did not produce a significant oxidative burst whereas, the active behaviour of A, slow-growing birds, increased the oxygen demand. Plasma α-tocopherol followed the trend of kinetic and foraging activity being higher in slow-, intermediate in medium- and lower in fast-growing birds. The adaptability index showed the best result of slow-growing strains with intermediate results in medium-growing and the worst in fast-growing ones. There is a negative linear correlation between adaptation and daily weight gain. However, within the same sub-group (slow, medium and fast), there is no correlation between daily weight gain and adaptation to an organic system. Even if R chickens had the highest productive performance, they appeared no adapted to the organic system. Daily weight gain (<50 g/d) is a prerequisite for chicken adaptation, but even birds with similar weight gains showed wide variations in the adaptation.