Effects of perches on behavior and activity of broilers

Li, HongIncreasing activity in broilers has become a key to improve their welfare in the commercial houses. Lameness occurs more in broilers under the commercial condition and it has been considered a welfare issue mainly due to the bird breed. The breed tends to have a high growth rate. Which in turn brings bone structure issues since birds don’t exercise leg muscles in current houses. Some research suggests that adding perches can improve leg strength and mobility of broilers. The movement or action of perching behavior may exercise leg muscles and improve leg strength. Previous research showed that the use of perches by broilers has been low and suggested perch design played an important role to increase its use by broilers. It is hypothesized that improving perch design could increase the use of the perches by broilers. ☐ A study with a series of experiments was designed and conducted to investigate proper perch design parameters for broilers, and their perching behaviors, and the effects of suitably designed perches on perching behaviors of broilers under commercial conditions. An experiment was performed to look at the features of perches to determine the perch design criteria based on the preferences of broilers for different perch shapes (round and. square) and heights (4 in. and 6 in.). A four-pen (each pen measured 2.25 ft x 5 ft) system with cameras and a video recorder was used to determine the preferred perch shape and height. A generalized linear model was formed to analyzing total perching duration and step on number on perch. The results showed broilers spent more time on square perches (P= 0.02). For height, birds preferred lower (4-in.) perches (P < 0.0001). The design of the perch affects the use of the perch by broilers. To achieve the health benefits of perches for broiler, perch design is an important aspect to consider. ☐ Later experiment was looking for the strength of perching behavior. The system was modified for an experiment to assess the preference of broilers for perch enrichment. Bird perching activities and preferences on perch were monitored by load cells and a video recording system. Feed consumptions in each pen were measured and correlated to the bird preference for perch. A three-pen system with cameras and a video recorder was used to determine the preference of Cobb 500 broilers for an environment with a perch. Bird perching activities and preferences on perch were monitored by load cells and the video recording system. Feed consumptions in each pen were measured and correlated to the bird preference. The video data showed that broilers spent 26% more time in the perch area (P= 0.003). The results showed the feed consumptions in both perch and no-perch areas were the same which indicated that perch encouraged and increased the locomotion of the broilers. The results showed the preference of broilers for perch enrichment. ☐ Three perch designs were further tested under field condition to verify the findings from the laboratory experiments. The first perch design was a single perch (Single) with square shape (0.5 in. side length) at 4 in. height from the ground. The second perch design was a double-perch structure (Double) with two perches at 4 in. high, set parallel 8.5 in. apart. The third design was a double-perch structure (Level) with two perches at 4 in. and 6 in. heights, respectively, in parallel 8.5 in. apart. The Double and Single perches recorded a similar perching activity due to the similarity of their designs. The low perching activities on the Level perch indicates that broilers lost the ability to jump. ☐ Key words: Welfare, Perch, Broiler, Preference, ActivityUniversity of Delaware, Department of Animal and Food SciencesM.S