The Free-Range Production System Decreases Foot Pad Lesions and the Risk of Bacterial Infection in Broilers
The Free-Range Production System Decreases Foot Pad Lesions and the Risk of Bacterial Infection in Broilers
Peter Amuguni Mbato*, Wanzila Usyu Mutinda, Noah Kipkoech Maritim, Nicholas Edwin Odongo
ABSTRACT
Commercial broilers have high growth rates and are raised in total confinement systems. Birds spend more time lying down predisposing them to skin lesions from moist litter. This study aimed to determine whether the free-range production system (FRPS) for broiler birds would reduce foot pad lesions and the risk of bacterial infection. The study followed a completely randomized design, comprising of four treatments and three replications, with each replication consisting of 20 birds. Treatments A, B and C, where the birds were under FRPS at 2, 3 and 4 weeks of age, respectively, and the conventional complete confinement, treatment D (control). The birds were weighed and their foot pad lesions evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Liver samples were collected at 8 weeks of age and processed for culture and sensitivity. Relative risk analysis (RR) was used to determine the association between confinement as a risk factor and bacterial infection. Birds in the FRPS had lower body weights that probably results less pressure on their skeleton. Treatment D birds had severe foot pad lesions (P < 0.05) compared to the other treatments at weeks 6, 7 and 8 and the severity decreased with increasing duration of FRPS. Complete confinement treatment was significantly associated with bacterial infection (RR = 3) at week 8. These results show that broilers in FRPS had significantly lower body weight and fewer foot pad lesions, reducing bacterial infection and antibiotic use. Reduced antibiotic residues and pathogens in meat suggest improved meat quality. The free-range broiler production system would be a better production system to improve the welfare and quality of the meat produced.
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