Skin lesions in broiler chickens measured at the slaughterhouse: relationships between lesions and between their prevalence and rearing factors

Abstract

1. This slaughterhouse-based study was to evaluate correlations between cutaneous lesions which are linked to animal welfare. The relationships between these lesions and various rearing factors were investigated.

2. The percentage of lesions in each flock was determined by observation at the slaughterhouse. Fifty-five flocks slaughtered between May 2005 and May 2006 in 8 slaughterhouses were investigated.

3. Data relating to farm management and housing factors during the rearing period were collected retrospectively from 36 of the 55 flocks scored for lesions.

4. A negative correlation was observed between (i) presence of breast blisters and deep hock burns, (ii) presence of breast blisters and deep footpad dermatitis, and (iii) presence of breast burns and scratches.

5. We proposed an assessment of broiler chicken welfare at the slaughterhouse on the basis of several criteria: (i) footpad dermatitis, hock burns and breast burns, (ii) scratches, and (iii) breast blisters.

6. The presence of contact dermatitis was related to litter quality and several management factors. Only scratches and breast blisters were related to high stocking density. The type of lesion was related to genotype. Genotype A (fast-growing) had fewer breast blisters but deeper footpad lesions than B (slower-growing).

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the slaughterhouses and the farmers for their participation and the personnel of AFSSA, L. Balaine, C. Chauvin, I. Petetin and J. Peraste, for their contribution to this study. We thank the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, DAR and MRT/ACTA for their financial support.