ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews key welfare concerns in poultry farming, including consequences of genetic selection for high productivity, intensive housing, and management procedures. Selection for fast growth in meat birds has resulted in conformational changes that affect mobility and breeder stocks that must be feed restricted to remain healthy. Calcium demand for egg production reduces bone mass in egg-laying chickens, making them prone to bone fractures. Barren housing prevents the expression of highly motivated behaviour which reduces welfare. High stocking density is typical for all farmed poultry, often contributing to injuries, feather pecking, and poor litter quality. Procedures such as beak trimming are performed to prevent injuries, but most have welfare implications in and of themselves. Increasingly, concerns for poultry welfare are leading to legislation or market demands that are changing farming practices, with the poultry industry having to trade off production efficiency and animal welfare, based on economic and ethical considerations.
