Analysis Of Welfare Indicators For Chickens In Large Scale Contract And Non-Contract Broiler Farms In Kenya

Abstract

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) defines animal welfare as the physical and mental wellbeing of an animal, its ability to perform innate or species-specific behaviour in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies. This definition focuses on five freedoms that relate to welfare of animals under human control which include freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour. These freedoms are provided through supply of the associated inputs at optimal levels. Hence lack of these inputs leads to outcomes that compromise animal welfare. The assessment of indicators associated with such outcomes helps in establishing the welfare status of animals, including chickens. Because of the multidisciplinary dimension of animal welfare, OIE has established a working group on animal welfare in which World Animal Protection (WAP) is a member. WAP consequently adopted OIE guidelines to develop broiler chicken welfare assessment criteria which include factors related to stocking density; growth; environment; catching and handling of the birds; as well as recording keeping on production activities and product quality. On the basis of this, a cross-sectional study design was used to establish the current status of broiler chicken welfare in large scale broiler chicken farms in Kenya. Data were collected from thirty (30) contract and thirty one (31) noncontract large scale broiler farms in 6 counties (Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru, Nairobi,Machakos and Murang’a) using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire for various welfare indicators. Analysis of quantitative data was undertaken by means of descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed with thematic analysis. The estimated stocking density for xii broiler chickens in contract farms was 21.80 kg/m2 (95%CI: 18.2 - 25.6), while for the noncontract farms, this was 22.54 kg/m2 (95%CI: 18.4 -26.8). The estimated growth rate of broiler chickens in contract farms was 51.2 g (95% CI: 50.3- 52), and 42.9 g (95% CI: 40- 45.6) for noncontract farms. The age at maturity for broiler chicken in contract farms was 34 days (95%CI: 33.8 – 34.6), and was 38days (95%CI: 36.5 – 39.9) in non-contract farms. Majority of these broiler farms reared Cobb 500 breed of chicken even though a few of the non-contract farms keeping Arbor Acres breed. In both types of farms, chicken were raised on deep litter system, with litter material spread throughout the shed, and there were no cages in broiler chicken houses. The litter quality in these broiler houses was always dry, but this would be affected by the prevailing weather conditions, besides moist litter occurring around drinkers. However, the broiler farms did not practice environmental enrichment including perches or other materials that birds would peck. In the contract farms, chickens were fed on pelleted and crumbled feed, whereas in non-contract farms they were fed on mash, pellet as well as crumble from time to time. For the contract farms, a three phase feeding regime was practised: 0.42 kg for starter, 1.26 kg for grower and 1.6 kg for finisher per broiler per cycle. The non- contract farms were feeding 1 kg for starter and 3 kg for finisher broiler chicken. At point of slaughter, ascites was the main cause of product condemnation reported in contract farms, but for the non-contract farms, ascites, dead on arrival and state of feather cleanliness were the causes of product rejection at the abattoir. Furthermore, the mortality rate of 6.4% and 3.1 %, and culling rate of 1% and 0.3% for broiler chicken in the contract and non-contract farms, in that order were statistically different (P < 0.05). In conclusion, large-scale broiler chicken farms were implementing the welfare practices, xiii although most farms did not have environmental enrichment for perching, pecking and dust bathing by broiler chickens. The commercial broiler chicken farmers should therefore be trained on appropriate ways to improve on welfare of these broiler chickens especially through reduction of the conditions that predispose them to ascites by restricting feed or nutrient intake during the early stages of growth, restriction of lighting to reduce feed intake; and manipulation of diet formulation. This study recommends further studies on the influence of natural light on quality and productivity of broiler chicken in Kenya