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Poster 1
Cécile Arnould presents Poster 1 during the poster sessions in the Aula.
Session theme 1: Development, validation and automated measurements of indicators of animal welfare
RELATION BETWEEN A SIMPLE MEASURE OF ACTIVITY, LAMENESS
AND PODODERMATITIS IN MEAT TYPE CHICKENS
C. Arnould, L. Colin
INRA, Unité Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
Under commercial condition, the activity of broilers could be an indicator of their welfare.
However, no simple measure of activity exists at the moment. This study aims to test the relations
between 1. a simple measure of activity and 2. lameness and pododermatitis.
Data were obtained from high and low growth rate broilers reared under commercial conditions
(n=17 and 15 flocks respectively). Bird activity was assessed on 16-36 birds per flock chosen at
random and observed from the moment they leave the drinkers until they lie down. The latency to
lie down, the number of steps and the distance traveled before lying down were measured. 120-260
birds per flock were assessed for gait score (Kestin et al., 1991 Vet. Records) and 50-100 birds for
pododermatitis (10 points scale, Allain et al. in revision). Struggling during assessment of
pododermatitis (pad cleaning) was noted to evaluate which scores induced pain. Data were analyzed
using Spearman rho test, except for relation between pododermatitis and struggling where Pearson
Chi-square test was used (n=1296).
The 3 variables of activity were highly correlated (r≥0.90). The number of steps was selected for the
rest of the study as correlation with the two other variables was ≥ 0.95. Activity and gait score were
significantly correlated (r=-0.66, p