Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY, cilt.76, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This study was carried out to determine the effects of the floor type (litter rearing and sledge cage system) on the performance, welfare, and behavior parameters of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were reared in two different rearing systems; sledge cage system (CS) and litter floor system (FS) until 42 days of age. The final body weight and body weight gain between 1-42 days of age tended to be higher in FS than in the CS system (P=0.060). The cumulative feed consumption was similar between the rearing systems at 1-21, 1-28, 1-35, and 1-42 days of age periods (P>0.05). The feed conversion ratio was lower in FS than in the CS system (P<0.01). The productivity index was higher in FS than CS system at 1-42 days of age period (P<0.01). The plumage cleanliness score was higher and foot pad dermatitis was lower in FS than in CS (P<0.05 and P<0.001). The gait score was found similar in both rearing systems but a numerically lower gait problem was found in FS than CS system (P>0.05). The tonic immobility duration and induction number were found similar in both rearing systems (P>0.05). The higher eating, scratching, wing clap-body shaking, spot pecking; and lesser sleeping behavior were observed in FS than in CS (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.01; respectively). The drinking, walking, standing, and sitting behavior of broilers were found similar in both rearing systems (P>0.05). The wing-leg stretching, feather maintenance, and pecking each other behavior of broilers were found similar in both rearing systems (P>0.05). The aggressive pecking behavior tended to be observed more in FS than in the CS system (P=0.062). It has been determined that broilers had better performance, welfare, and behavior parameters in the floor-rearing system when the litter condition is good.