The Effect of Rearing System on Plumage Quality and Foot-Pad Dermatitis in Guinea Fowls and Pheasants

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 215 - 225, 01.05.2023

Ahmet Uçar , Mehmet Akif Boz , Musa Sarıca

https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1226796

Cited By: 1

Abstract

This study aims to determine welfare parameters such as foot-pad dermatitis (FPD) and plumage quality (PQ) scores at different slaughter ages in barn and free-range rearing systems for guinea fowl and pheasants. The birds randomly distributed with half of 200 Pheasant and 200 guinea fowl chicks were reared in both indoor and free-range systems. Game birds were examined for both FPD score and feather score (PQ) at 6, 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks of age. The litter moisture content was also measured at 14, 16 and 18 weeks of the growing period. In guinea fowls, litter moisture content differed significantly according to the rearing system (P<0.01). In both game birds, gender differences were determined in wing feather quality for 6 weeks (P>0.05). In terms of FPD, there was no difference in guinea fowl according to the rearing system, gender and slaughter age, but there was a difference in pheasants according to the slaughter age. In guinea fowl, the head PART feather quality was lower than the barn system (P<0.05) and the lowest feather quality was found at 12 weeks of age in terms of slaughter age (P<0.01). It was determined that in terms of back, wing and tail feather quality of pheasants, those reared in closed system were lower (P<0.01). As a result, it was determined that guinea fowls had lower litter moisture in the free-range system, but this did not affect FPD score. On the other hand, it was found that FPD scores increased with age in pheasants. It was determined that free-range system was better in terms of head part feather quality in guinea fowls and back, wing and tail feathers were better in this system, similarly in pheasants. In terms of feather quality, a free-range system is recommended for better welfare for both species, especially pheasants.

Keywords

Game Birds, Welfare, Rearing System, Pheasant, Guinea Fowl

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