Effects of hatching on-farm on behaviour, first week performance, fear level and range use of organic broilers

Hatching on-farm is an alternative to traditional hatching in the hatchery where incubated eggs are placed on farm embryonic day 18 for take place. Thus, several procedures and transport of newly hatched chicks avoided, have access feed water immediately after hatching. In present study, aim was examine behaviour, first week performance, fear level range use slower-growing organic broilers (OF). Chicks (HC) transported were used comparison. The study included six flocks both treatments, each consisting approximately 3600 mixed-sex Hubbard JA57 ColorYield broilers, housed with veranda access. Compared HC, body weight consistently higher OF at 0 h, 24 48 h D7 relative arrival HC (P < 0.001). Feeding more frequently observed than 11 35 0.024). Generally, drinking 0.001), resting during 23 0.016). crop content differed between treatments 6 12 36 but not h: At had odds having (odds ratio (OR) = 2.45; P 0.001) lower (OR 0.16; addition, they empty 3.01; (OR: 1.56; 0.018) 2.56; Reduced humans found chickens when assessed a stationary person test 0.030). also tended express less general novel object (D7, D28, D53 D60; 0.052). However, contrary expected, reduced fearfulness expressed by did result increased 0.92 0.45, respectively). To conclude, appears benefit animal welfare as, early age, it reduces allows feeding, likely being cause weight.