Behaviour, welfare, and tibia traits of fast- and slow-growing chickens reared in intensive and free range systems

The behaviour, welfare, and tibia characteristics of fast- slow-growing chickens were evaluated in free-range intensive production systems. A total 720 birds three strains subjected to these systems after 21 days rearing under the same environment. Each treatment was replicated six times with 20 each replicate. Data collected for welfare aspects, including feather condition, footpad, hock joint tonic immobility, behavioural features, especially feeding or foraging, sitting, walking, scratching, pecking dust-bathing, characteristics, weight, length, width, medullary canal diameter robusticity index (4 - 8 weeks). Production system had significant effects on all behaviour aspects birds. However, not influenced by system, except diameter. differed significantly behaviour. For example, better footpad scores. Significant interactions strain noted characteristics. It recommended that Rhode Island Red could be raised either without compromising their causing adverse leg health.