Dual-purpose production of eggs and meat — Part 1: cockerels of crosses between layer and meat breeds achieve moderate growth rates while showing unimpaired animal welfare

Abstract The use of modern chicken genotypes with high egg or meat performance results in the ethically unacceptable practice culling day-old male layer chicks because their inefficient fattening performance. Dual-purpose a balanced profile for both eggs and are one option to avoid this practice. In study, four crosses breed (White Rock New Hampshire) Bresse Gauloise were compared under conditions organic agriculture. Purebred hybrid Lohmann Sandy served as controls. Part 1 study focused on cockerels, which reared together pullets. birds housed floor system (9.9–20.7 kg live weight per m 2 at end week 15) access green outdoor run. Live before slaughter age 15 weeks ranged between 2355 2447 g did not differ significantly genotypes. With average daily gains 22.1–22.8 g, grew slower than males (26.1 g) but faster (15.9 g). Welfare assessment indicated generally level welfare no foot pad lesions hock burns any cockerels. Fattening dual-purpose cockerels can therefore be an desirable animal better chicks, still requires more resources specialised broilers.