Multifactorial Evaluation of Regrouping Effects on Performance and Welfare in Two Italian Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds: Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2022
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing
poultry breeds (namely, Bionda Piemontese, BP, and Bianca di Saluzzo, BS) to cope with a stressful
event, such as collective grouping, using a multifactorial approach. A total of 120 hens of BP and BS
breeds were homogenously distributed, according to breed, in 12 pens (10 hens/pen; 6 pens/breed),
from 18 to 49 weeks of age. At 50 weeks of age, hens were regrouped (Stressful Farm Practice, SFP),
by removing separators, both in indoor and outdoor areas. At 49 weeks of age, 24 hens/breed
were randomly selected for the evaluation of welfare (ethological and physiological) parameters, at
different time points: T0: 1-week pre-SPF; T1: 1-week post-SFP; T2: 3-week post-SFP; T3: 5-week
post-SFP. Egg production was recorded from 38 to 56 weeks of age. Grouping produced a social
stress in both BS and BP-laying hens, which was expressed in terms of productive traits (reduction
of oviposition), behavioral modification (worsening of plumage condition due to feather peaking
and extension of the duration of the tonic immobility test) and physiological modification (increased
heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone metabolites in droppings). Both breeds reacted in a
similar way; in fact, no differences were attributed to the breed. At the end of the observation period,
the egg rate fully recovered, while the behavioral and physiological parameters partially recovered
but failed to recover to those recorded prior to the stressful event.
Tipologia CRIS:
03A-Articolo su Rivista
Keywords:
Bionda Piemontese; slow-growing chicken; stressful housing practice; welfare; performance
Elenco autori:
Dabbou, Sihem; Mugnai, Cecilia; Soglia, Dominga; Tarantola, Martina; Macchi, Elisabetta; Sartore, Stefano; Bergagna, Stefania; Pagliasso, Giulia; Schiavone, Achille
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