High welfare outcomes possible regardless of breed

High-welfare outcomes are possible with any breed of broiler chickens, but achieving those outcomes is somewhat easier for some breeds, said Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, Perdue Farms senior vice president of technical services and innovation.

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Alternative breed chickens at the Perdue’s Research Farm (Perdue Farms)
Alternative breed chickens at the Perdue’s Research Farm (Perdue Farms)

High-welfare outcomes are possible with any breed of broiler chickens, but achieving those outcomes is somewhat easier for some breeds, said Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, Perdue Farms senior vice president of technical services and innovation.

During the 6th Annual Perdue Farms Animal Care Summit, held on October 6, Stewart-Brown was asked how he responded to some peoples’ claims that there isn’t evidence that alternative breeds, often referred to as slower-growing breeds, demonstrate meaningfully improved welfare outcomes over the conventional breeds.

Stewart-Brown stated that high-welfare outcomes were possible with both types of breed, but there were differences.

“It’s irrefutable that you can take today’s breeds and raise them to a high welfare standards,” he said. “Today’s breeds can be raised to a high welfare standard, in addition to the alternative breeds. Having said that, they are not very forgiving. The alternative breeds are super forgiving in different kind of situations, and much easier to raise and get good welfare outcomes.”

“The challenge with today’s commercial breeds … is they are walking a fine line on welfare and care needs, and if that is off at all it’s hard to keep the welfare standard elevated.”

Stewart-Brown said because of welfare challenges Perdue Farms has a strong welfare program and continues to make sure that its growers are educated on the best ways to maintain a high standard, no matter what the breed of chicken is.

Also speaking during the summit were Mark McKay, president of Perdue Premium Poultry and Meats, and Mike Levengood, Perdue’s chief animal care officer and farmer relationship advocate.

Perdue Farms, headquartered in Salisbury, Maryland, is a fourth-generation company. It is the nation’s fifth largest broiler producer and the eighth largest turkey producer, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database. Perdue Farms is also involved in animal feed and pig production.

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