Following the online discussion on “Elevated perches for broiler chickens” at EuroTier digital in February 2021, the Animal Welfare Focus Network produced an educational video on the topic of “Elevated levels in broiler chicken rearing”. Further experience has since been gained from two current model and demonstration projects (MuD) on animal welfare. This has been documented in new specialist videos in collaboration with the farmers and scientists involved in the project.
Whilst the “MaVeTi” project run by the Foundation of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) and the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture uses raised platforms with perforated plastic slats and an underlying manure belt, the project “Improving Animal Welfare in Broiler Farming” at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich and the University of Rostock, levels with fixed bedding are in use.
Both projects are investigating the functionality of the access ramps and the platforms. The design and dimensions, as well as the suitability of different materials, play an important role in this. Above all, however, is the question of the benefits for animal welfare: how do the chicks and growing birds accept the platforms? Which areas are used and to what extent? And are there any weaknesses, for example regarding injuries and hygiene, that need to be taken into account and which make acceptance by farmers difficult?
In the video ‘Elevated platforms in broiler farming – experiences from the MuD Animal Welfare Project “Improving Animal Welfare in Broiler Farming”’, farm manager Erwin Beisl, together with Birgit Schiller (LMU), explains how the platform with a solid floor has proven itself in practical use.