STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF STOCKING DENSITY AND FLOOR SPACE ALLOWANCE ON BEHAVIOUR, HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

Department of Animal Hygiene,
Fac. of Vet. Med., Assiut University.

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF STOCKING DENSITY
AND FLOOR SPACE ALLOWANCE ON BEHAVIOUR,
HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

OF TURKEY BROILERS
(With 4 Tables and 2 Figures)

By
M.A, ABDEL-RAHMAN
(Received at 9/12/2004)

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Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005
SUMMARY

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of stocking density
and floor space allowance on the welfare of growing turkey broilers. 60
non-beak trimmed, sexed one week old growing turkey broilers of the
native breed were used in this investigation (sex ratio equal to one).
Birds were randomly assigned into 3 groups, each of 20 broilers, 10
males and 10 females. Each group was housed under the prevalent
environmental conditions in a well ventilated and well lighted room with
different floor areas according to the experimented stocking density.
Birds were freely fed the commercial concentrate mixture for the
growing turkey broilers where the maximum necessary number of
feeders was eventually distributed through the room. Drinking tap water
was freely available throughout the experiment. Each group of the
experimented turkeys was reared from one week old to 12 weeks old
under. one of the following stocking densities: 1-Treatment one CEES
birds / m’ where the total floor area = 4 m* 2-Treatment two (T2): 6.5
birds / m? where the total floor area = 3.08 m? 3-Treatment three (T3): 8
birds / m? where the total floor area = 2.5 m? . The behavior of the
broilers under experiment was observed and recorded. Plasma
corticosterone level was estimated. Body weight was calculated and its
health status was observed. The obtained results indicated that turkey
welfare was poorer at the highest stocking density with a significant
reflection on their behavior, blood corticosterone level, body weight and
health status. Therefore, stocking density and floor space allowance must
put in consideration during rearing of turkeys and construction of their
farms.

Key words: Stocking density, behaviour, productivity, Turkey

INTRODUCTION

Welfare is a very important matter in poultry industry. Concem
about the welfare of broilers has recently increased specially during the
final weeks of the rearing period when the weight of birds per m? is high
(FAWC, 1992, 1995). As with broilers, welfare problems in turkeys at
high stocking densities could include decreased walking activity because
of the limited floor space available (Blokhuis & Van der Haar, 1990 and
Lewis & Hurnik, 1990). Birds may walk over other crouching birds and
thus causing lesions as clawed feet scratch the hips of resting birds

NO
Assiul Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

(Proudfoot and Hulan, 1985). In addition, resting birds may be
continuously disturbed and distressed by other walking birds
(Martrenchar et al., 1997). Moreover, Birds may be obliged to lie more
often on litter of poor quality because of the high faecal content.
Consequently, damage to the breast and feet may occur (Harms &
Simpson, 1977; Martland, 1984 and Ekstrand & Algers, 1997).

It is well documented that the final weight of turkey broilers
decreases when stocking density increases (Coleman & Leighton, 1969:
Proudfoot et al., 1979; Denbow et al., 1984; Moran, 1985; Noll et al,
1991 and Martrenchar er al., 1999). On the other hand, although many
authors have considered the effect of density on behavioral and health
traits of chicken broilers, few studies have considered turkey broilers
(Denbow ef al., 1984; Leighton ef al., 1985; Moran, 1985 and Ekstrand
& Algers, 1997).

Therefore, the aim of the present study is to focus on the effect of
stocking density on the welfare of turkey broilers reared under
commercial conditions.

MATERIALS and METHODS

I- Birds and housing: -

60 non-beak trimmed, sexed one week old growing turkey
broilers of the native breed were used in this investigation (sex ratio
equal to one). Birds were randomly assigned into 3 groups, each of 20
broilers, 10 males and 10 females. Each group was housed under the
prevalent environmental conditions in a well ventilated and well lighted
room with different floor areas according to the experimented stocking
density. The floor was cemented and the litter was of wood shavings,
about 7 cm thickness. Birds were freely fed the commercial concentrate
mixture for the growing turkey broilers where the maximum necessary
number of feeders were eventually distributed through the room.
Drinking tap water was freely available throughout the experiment.

II- Experimental design: -

Each group of the experimented turkeys was reared from one
week old to 12 weeks old under one of the following stocking densities:
1-Treatment one (T1) 5 birds / m’: total floor area = 4 m?
2-Treatment two (T2) 6.5 birds / m7: total floor area = 3.08 m?
3-Treatment three (T3) 8 birds / m? : total floor area = 2.5 m?

These stocking densities were chosen according to practical
considerations. T1 (5 birds / m”) is the density recommended by welfare

Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 5] No. 104 January 2005

code for turkeys issued by the agriculture » departments of the United
Kingdom (FAWC, 1995). T3 (8 birds / m2) is the average density of
commercial turkey flocks (Koehl, 1995). However, T2 (6.5 birds / m >) j is
an intermediate density recommended by Martrenchar ef al (1999).

These treatments resulted in the following floor space allowance
per bird : -
1-Treatment one (T1) 5 birds / m? : 20 dm?
2-Treatment two (T2) 6.5 birds /m* : 15.4 dm?
3-Treatment three (T3) 8 birds / m? : 12.5 dm*

IIl- Procedures: -

The experiment was carried out for 11 consecutive weeks starting
from the week 2 till the week 12 of age.
A-Behavioural observations: -

The behavior of the broilers under experiment was observed and
recorded according to Martrenchar ef al. (1999) using focal sampling
technique in which each hour was divided into 6 sessions, 10 minutes
each, and the behavior of birds was observed independently during each
session. Bird's behavior was observed at weeks 6, 9 and 12. Turkeys
were observed for 3 hours / day for 3 days / week. The behavioral
observations were carried out in the morning between 9:00 and 12:00
during the 1“ day, in the afternoon between 12:00 and 15:00 during the
2" day and before dusk between 15:00 and 18:00 during the 3” day.
This design of observation gave a chance to observe the broilers in each
housing condition for one hour / day for 3 days / week for 3 weeks.
Behavioral observation was carried out using the scan sampling method
according to Altmann (1974) where the observer can -study all tested
hens without being seen by them. By the end of the experiment, the
percentage of each observed behavioral activity was calculated.

Behavior was classified into 7 mutually exclusive categories: -
Standing: -

Where the bird standing or walking and not performing any other
categorized activity (Martrenchar ef al., 1999).

Resting: -

Where the bird lying on the litter and not performing any other
categorized activity (Martrenchar et al., 1999).

Feeding: -

Where the bird pecking at or eating the food (Denbow et al,
1984).
Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No, 104 January 2005

Drinking: -

Where the bird dipping its beak into water or swallowing
(Denbow ef al., 1984).

Pecking at the environment: -

Where the bird pecking or scratching litter, walls, food troughs or
waterers (Aerni ef ai., 2000).

Pecking at another bird: -

Where the bird pecking the plumage or other tissues of other
birds with or without pulling feathers (Aerni et a/., 2000).

Preening: -

Where the bird nibbling, stroking or combing her plumage with
the beak (Kjaer and Sorensen, 1997).

B- Plasma corticosterone concentration: -

Estimation of plasma corticosterone level is considered of
reliable indicator for assessment the adverse effects that directly
inflected on health and behavior of birds from exposure to stressors of
the housing environment (Dantzer and Mormede, 1983). During the last
two days of the 11 weeks experimental period, one blood sample / day
was taken from 3 males and 3 females / treatment according to Yahovs
et al. (1997) by puncturing the brachial vein into Epindoorf’s tubes
containing EDTA anticoagulant. The tubes were kept at the room
temperature for 30 minutes then stored at a refrigerator for 60-90
minutes and then centrifuged at 3000 r.p.m for 10 minutes and the
separated plasma was transferred to another Epindoorf’s tube using
micropipette. The plasma samples were kept at —20 °C until analysis
where they were estimated for their levels of corticosterone using
TDxFLx system with fluorescence polarization and competitive binding
techniques according to Dandliker & Feigen (1970) and Dandliker &
Saussure (1973).

C- Productivity: -

Male and female turkey broilers were weighed by the end of
week 12 to determine the final body weight of each sex reared under
different stocking densities.

D- Healthy state of the body: -

By the end of this experiment, broilers were examined for
presence of the following body lesions according to Martrenchar ef al.
(1999): -
1-Breast lesions (blisters, pustules or haematoma)
2-Foot lesions (dermatitis).
3-Hip lesions (scratches and scabs).

Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No, 104 January 2005

IV- Statistical analysis: -
Statistical analyses of the collected data were carried out
according to procedures of completely random design, SAS (1995).

RESULTS

The results of this study were illustrated in tables 1,2,3 and 4.

DISCUSSION

I- Stocking density and behavior of turkey broilers: -

The data represented in table (1) and assimilated on figure (1)
showed the effect of stocking density and floor space allowance on
standing, resting, feeding, drinking, pecking the environment, pecking
another bird and preening activities of growing turkey broilers. These
data revealed that, stocking density and floor space allowance had a
significant effect on standing, resting and pecking another bird (p<0.01).
However, other activities were not significantly affected.

With regard to standing, resting and pecking another bird, the
obtained data indicated that the percentage of these activities as a result
of housing of the experimented birds under the previously mentioned
treatments of stocking density and floor space allowance (T1, T2 and
T3) were 27.3, 40.1, 53.3 for standing; 43.1, 32.7, 19.6 for resting and
2.7, 2.8, 6.2 for pecking another bird, respectively. This finding
indicated that, low stocking density was reflected with more floor space
allowance for each bird which encouraged them to lay down and get
more rest. However, the frequency of disturbance of resting turkeys by
other birds tended to be higher when stocking density increased and so,
the percentage of resting activity decreased while that of standing one
increased (Blokhius and Van der Haar, 1990; Lewis and Hurnik, 1990
and Martrenchar et ail, 1999). As a result of this stressful situation with
overcrowdness and decreased floor space allowance during
T3 (8 birds/m’), pecking of other birds was significantly increased.

With regard to feeding, drinking, pecking the environment and
preening, the obtained data indicated that the percentage of these
activities were 8.5, 7.2, 6.8 for feeding; 12.1, 11.1, 9.2 for drinking; 3.3,
2.2, 2.4 for pecking the environment and 3.0, 3.9, 2.5 for preening as a
result of housing of the experimented birds under T1, T2 and T3,
respectively. These data indicated that, such activities were not
significantly affected by the stocking density and floor space allowance .
Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

a finding which agreed with Denbow ef al. (1984); Cunningham ef al.
(1992); Classen e¢ al. (1994) and Martrenchar ef al. (1999).
II- Stocking density and blood corticosterone of turkey broilers: -
Exposure of birds to emotional stimuli results in a conduction of
nervous impulses from the cerebral cortex to hypothalamus with
consequent release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone from the anterior
pituitary with resultant release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex
which have a great role in mobilizing glucose to deal with homeostasis
challenge (Seyle’s, 1976 & Gross and Siegel, 1983). The data
represented in Table (2) and assimilated on figure (2) showed the effect
of stocking density and floor space allowance on the average plasma
corticosterone level of the experimented turkey broilers. These data
revealed that, stocking density and floor space allowance had a
significant effect on the plasma corticosterone level of both male and
female growing turkey broilers (p<0.01). Average plasma corticosterone
levels of turkey broilers were 7.13, 12.59, 18.12 g/100 ml for males
and 6.92, 10.86, 17.43 yg/100 ml for females when they were housed
under the conditions of Tl, T2 and T3, respectively. This finding
indicated that, increased stocking density is a stressful situation reflected
with a significant increase in the plasma corticosterone concentration of
both male and female growing turkey broilers.

IlI- Stocking density and productivity of turkey broilers: -

The data represented in table (3) showed the effect of stocking
density and floor space allowance on body weight of growing turkey
broilers. These data indicated that, stocking density and floor space
allowance had a significant effect on the final weight of the
experimented male and female growing turkey broilers (p<0.01).
Average final weights of turkeys were 4450, 3900, 3300g for males and
3660, 3150, 2600g for females when they were housed under the
conditions of T1, T2 and T3, respectively. This finding illustrated that,
the final body weight of growing turkey broilers was linearly decreased
when the stocking density increased and the floor space allowance
decreased although feeder space per bird was the same in each treatment.
This finding agreed with Martrenchar et al. (1999) and may be related to
the stress and disturbance resulted from increased density with more
competition during the feeding activity (Coleman and Leighton, 1969;
Proudfoot er al., 1979; Denbow ef al., 1984; Moran, 1985 and Noll ef
al., 1991).

Assiut Vet. Med_J_Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

IV- Stocking density and health status of turkey broilers: -

The data represented in table (4) showed the effect of stocking
density and floor space allowance on the occurrence of breast lesions.
foot lesions and hip lesions of growing turkey broilers. These data
indicated that, stocking density and floor space allowance had a
significant effect on the occurrence of these lesions (p<0.01). The
occurrence of these lesions were 0, 0, 25 for breast lesions; 0, 0, 40 for
foot lesions and 0, 0, 60% for hip lesions when they were housed under
the conditions of T1, T2 and T3, respectively.

The higher percentage of the occurrence of foot lesions in
growing turkey broilers when reared under the conditions of T3 (the
average density of commercial turkey flocks) may be related to wetting
or dampness of the litter due to high faecal contents and water spillage
around the waterers as a result of increased disturbance and crowdness, a
finding that resulted in increased ammonia and other corrosive
substances which could be a litter irritant and leaded to foot dermatitis
(Harms and Simpson, 1977 and Martland 1984 & 1985). Moreover,
reduced mobility following increased density resulted in increased
occurrence of breast lesions where the birds’ breasts would spend more
time in contact with this wet litter (Ekstrand & Algers, 1997 and
Martrenchar ef al., 1999). However, The higher percentage of the
occurrence of hip lesions in growing turkey broilers reared under
increased density may be resulted from overcrowdness and walking of
disturbed birds over other crouching birds and thus causing hip lesions
with their clawed feet (Proudfoot and Hulan, 1985).

CONCLUSION

: In conclusion, under the present experimental conditions,
increased stocking density and decreased floor space allowance were
stressful conditions that had potentially deleterious effects on the welfare
of growing turkey broilers with a significant reflection on their behavior,
blood corticosterone level, body weight and health status. Therefore,
stocking density and floor space allowance must be put in consideration
during rearing of turkeys and construction of their farms.

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Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

Table 1: Effect of the studied stocking densities on the behavior of
growing turkey broilers

Item Stocking densities
Benavior TI (Sbirds / m’) T2(6.5birds/m?) —_T3 (Sbirds / m’)
seslsGetewiaesusectcaades Average % of total activity........ccccscsesesnsesnene

Standing 27.3+£2.1" 40.141.9° §3.3+3.2°
Resting 43,141.57 32.7£1,3° 19.6+1.6°
Feeding 8.5+1.4 7,240.8 6.8+0.9
Drinking 12.1+0.6 11.1+0.4 9.2+0.6
Pecking the environment 3.340.3 2.2+0.1 2.4+0.1
Pecking another bird 2.740.3* 2.8+0.1* 6.2+0.2°
Preening 3.0 40.2 3.940.3 2.50.1

Figures in the same raw with different superscripts differs significantly (p < 0.01)

60
50
40 -
°
oa 30
UY
20. yy)
yy
10 yy
0 WA | ae = q
oa es Sy
ze 2 E £ £8 os &
3 «3 oS xz 6 oT cS
. c b ® & Pe = oO 2
8 ed if 6 #2& gs 2
a = > a
2 a2
ao o

Behavioral activity

O71 (Sbirds/sq.m) gT2(6.5birds/sq.m) 13 (8 birds/sq. m)

Fig. (1): - Effect of the studied stocking densities on
the behavior of growing turkey broilers

11

Assiut Vet. Med. J. Vol. 5] No. 104 January 2005

Table 2: Effect of the studied stocking densities on plasma
corticosterone level of growing turkey broilers

cet Stocking densities
Sex T1 (Sbirds / m’) T2 (6.5birds / m) T3 (8birds / m’)
kisi nes WnieRTuhannasn Average in wg / 100 ml ...........cccssnececeenees
Male 7.13£0.81" 12.5941.16° 18.12+1.31°
Female 6.92+0.91* 10.86+1.21° 17.4341.26°

Figures in the same raw with different superscripts differs significantly (p < 0.01).

Male Female
Sex

OT1 (5 birds / sq. m) fa T2 (6.5 birds / sq. m) T3 (8 birds / sq. m)

Fig. (2): - Effect of the studied stocking densities
on plasma corticosterone level of growing turkey
broilers

12
Assiut Vet, Med_J. Vol. 51 No. 104 January 2005

Table 3: Effect of the studied stocking densities on body weight of

growing turkey broilers

Item Stocking densities
Sex TI (Sbirds / m’) T2 (6.5birds / m’) T3 (8birds / m’)
vailesuevurvcasestayeees AVEF ALE IN GAM: ccccsscsedswaeresseesses
Male 4450+150* 3900120" 3300+130°
Female 3660+£1 10" | 3150+150° 2600+110°

Figures in the same raw with different superscripts differs significantly (p < 0.01).

Table 4: Effect of the studied stocking densities on the health state of

the body of growing turkey broilers

Item Stocking densities
Lesion TI (Sbirds / m*) T2 (6.5birds / m’) T3 (8birds / m’)
ea gehe Fevivesiaessecesces Ye OF OCCURFENCE cee .ccesisesveseesiseess
Breast lesions 0° 0" 25°
Foot lesions 0* o* 40°
Hip lesions 0" 10* 60°

Figures in the same raw with different superscripts differs significantly (p < 0.01).

13