BROILER PRODUCTION- A CASE STUDY

Peter Sandøe

University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences

PLAN• History – how broiler production came about• Development of meat production – role of broilers• The elements of broiler production• Effects on environment• Effects on animal welfare• Other issues• Conclusion – the dilemma of broiler production

HISTORY – HOW BROILER PRODUCTION CAME

ABOUT

DEVELOPMENT OF MEAT PRODUCTION

– ROLE OF BROILERS

Per Capita Consumption of Meat in the USA (USDA)

Year Poultry Beef Pork Fish Total1960 34.3 63.3 59.1 10.3 167.01970 48.4 84.6 55.8 11.8 200.61980 58.3 76.6 57.3 13.0 205.21990 79.1 67.8 49.7 15.6 212.22000 95.3 67.7 52.7 15.2 230.920032006

100.3104.0

64.460.0

51.852.0

15.6N/A

232.1N/A

THE ELEMENTS OF BROILER PRODUCTION

556 g(463 %)

120 g(100 %)

BACKGROUND

EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

EFFECTS ON ANIMAL WELFARE

Normal gait with no detectable abnormalitySlightly uneven gait, difficult to define and identify defectDefect in gait without hindering movement or accelerationGait defect affecting the ability to move, and accelerateSevere gait defect, moving only when encouragedIncapable of sustained walking

PREVALENCE OF FOOT PAD DERMATITIS IN BROILERS, DK 2002-2005

A. Up to 40 points ≈ up to 20% severe lesionsB. 41-80 points ≈ up to 40% severe lesionsC. 81-200 points ≈ up to100% severe lesions

OTHER ISSUES

Other issues• Public health

– Foodborne diseases (Salmonella, Campylobactor ...)– Pandemies (Avian flu, ...)

• Nature protection• ...

CONCLUSION – THE DILEMMA OF BROILER

PRODUCTION

CONCLUSION – THE DILEMMA OF BROILER PRODUCTION• On the one hand broiler production

– delivers nutritious and cheap food– with relatively small effects on the environment

• On the other hand broiler production– has huge negative effects on animal welfare