Use of an elevated platform with perforated surface and manure belt by fast- growing broilers on commercial farms

Like other members of the species Gallus gallus, fast-growing broilers are motivated to perch. However, broilers in the European Union are kept in unstructured barns, with no opportunity to sit elevated and rest undisturbed. A possible solution to this problem is elevated platforms. The aim of this study was to eval-uate the use of an elevated platform with perforated sur-face and manure belt by fast-growing broilers. On 2 commercial farms, an elevated platform was installed in 1 barn per farm. Approximately 35,000 Ross 308 broilers were housed in each barn for 3 fattening periods. On 1 d per wk, the number of broilers per m2 on the platform and the ramp was determined every 30 min from video recordings. Besides, focal animals were observed to ana-lyze their behavior on the platform at different ages and during light and dark periods. Broilers used the elevated platform and the ramp from the first week until the end of the fattening period (platform: 9.92 broilers per m2, ramp: 6.47 broilers per m2), with a peak in the fourth week of life (platform: 13.00 broilers per m2). In wk 2, 4, and 5, platform use was higher during the light period than during the dark period. Broilers stayed longer on the platform in the dark period (dark: 01:54:23 [hh:mm: ss], light: 00:19:54 [hh:mm:ss]). In every phase of the fat-tening period, broilers on the platform were inactive to a high proportion (on average 80.60%). This indicates that broilers used the platform also for resting behavior. Thus, the elevated platform with perforated surface and manure belt is a suitable option to structure broiler barns. It allows the broilers to sit elevated and provides additional space. Factors such as a shallow ramp incline of 20 degrees, wide ramps, and appropriate material used for the surface and ramps may have contributed to its high use by broilers of all ages. Further research is needed to evaluate the design of platforms that allow broilers to rest undisturbed.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the use of an elevated platform with perforated surface and manure belt by fast-growing broilers. The results showed that broilers were able to effectively use the platform and ramp for resting throughout different stages of growth. Factors such as a shallow ramp incline, wide ramps, and appropriate materials contributed to the high utilization of the platform. Further research is needed to improve the platform design for undisturbed resting of broilers.