Organic poultry production has substantially increased in the last few years. On organic farms, welfare of poultry is enhanced due to enriched housing conditions as access to a free range area. This may reduce feather pecking and keep the health status at least on the same level as on conventional farms. However, welfare of organic poultry may be further improved if: (a) laying hens are already...

this paper considers the potential problems that may militate against the adoption of organic poultry production in nigeria. factors identified include: higher risk of diseases like coccidiosis and newcastle disease, disease prevention and control / herd health management, disease containment in times of outbreak, land acquisition (land tenure system), market economies / cost-benefit ratio, pas...

Bio-Genesys has developed an innovative mineral block for chickens. Intended as an alimentary supplement, the Avipeck block provides a ‘choice feeding’ regimen and has been demonstrated to improve not only nutrition but also welfare, in several important ways. It was initially formulated as an anti-stress product and preventive for behavioural problems, such as pecking and feather pulling. Qual...

Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hens kept in different housing systems during laying period were exposed to a tonic immobility test. At the end of the laying period, the shortest duration of the tonic immobility, and thus the lowest fear level, was found in birds kept in enriched cages, i.e. cages equipped with 2 perches and a hiding place. The duration of the tonic immobility in hens kep...

The objective of the current study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations among feather pecking (FP) behavior and stress response, immune response, and egg quality parameters. These traits have been measured in an F2 cross, coming from a cross between a high and a low FP line of laying hens. Heritabilities (h2) of stress response (32 wk), primary immune response to keyhole limpet h...