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Van Limbergen T, Sarrazin S, Chantziaras I, Dewulf J, Ducatelle R, Kyriazakis I, McMullin P, Méndez J, Niemi JK, Papasolomontos S, Szeleszczuk P, Van Erum J, Maes D. Risk factors for poor health and performance in European broiler production systems. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:287. [PMID: 32787841 PMCID: PMC7425143 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02484-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional broilers are currently one of the most efficient protein converters. Although decades of progress in genetic selection and feed formulation have lead to high standards of efficient broiler production, still a lot of variability is found between farms and between successive flocks. The aim of this study was to investigate risk- and/or protective factors for poor health and performance in conventional broiler-farms in Europe by developing eight multivariable linear mixed models. Three different models were used to investigate mortality (overall, first week, after first week), three models for performance variables (growth, feed conversion, European production index) and two models were related to slaughterhouse data (i.e. dead on arrival and condemnation rate). RESULTS Several factors related to management and housing were significantly associated with health and performance of broilers. The following factors were associated with increased mortality: floor quality, neonatal septicemia, ventilation type and other professional activities of the farmer. The factors associated with performance were chick sex, coccidiosis infections, necrotic enteritis, dysbacteriosis, light intensity adaptations, ventilation type, comparing daily flock results with previous flock results by farmer, daily check of feed and water system and type of feed. For dead on arrival three risk factors were identified i.e. daily growth, type of light adaptation and type of drinkers system. For condemnation rate seven risk factors were found, i.e. type of drinking system, daily growth, feed withdrawal time, type of ventilation, house size, septicemia after seven days and type of feed. CONCLUSIONS These results imply that a multifactorial approach is required with adaptations involving both improvements in management, housing, health programs and an increasing level of professionalism of the farmer in order to improve broiler performance and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Van Limbergen
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. .,PEHESTAT BVBA, Dwarsstraat 3, 3560, Lummen, Belgium.
| | - Steven Sarrazin
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Dewulf
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ilias Kyriazakis
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Paul McMullin
- Poultry Health Services International, 4 Cocked Hat Park, Sowerby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3HB, United Kingdom
| | - Jesús Méndez
- Cooperativas Orensanas S.C.G, Santa Cruz de Arrabaldo, s/n, 32990, Ourense, Spain
| | - Jarkko K Niemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Kampusranta 9, FI-60320, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Sotiris Papasolomontos
- Vitatrace Nutrition Ltd., Propylaion 18, Strovolos Industrial Estate, 2033, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Piotr Szeleszczuk
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Avian Diseases, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787, Warszawa, Poland
| | | | - Dominiek Maes
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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