Biosecurity and Animal Welfare in Turkey Production
Author Information
Author(s): Kovács László, Klaucke Christopher René, Farkas Máté, Jurkovich Viktor, Könyves László
Primary Institution: University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
Hypothesis
This research aimed to determine the association between biosecurity and animal welfare measures in large-scale fattening turkey farms in Hungary.
Conclusion
The study highlights that enhanced biosecurity measures correlate with better welfare outcomes in turkey production.
Supporting Evidence
- The average welfare index was 6.9 on the farms enrolled.
- The average total biosecurity score was 53.3.
- There was a significant moderate negative correlation between the welfare index and the total biosecurity score of the farms.
- Effective biosecurity practices can mitigate the risk of infections, thereby improving the overall health and welfare of the flock.
- Regular cleaning and disinfection measures are essential in controlling disease spread and reducing stress.
Takeaway
Better safety rules on farms help turkeys live happier and healthier lives.
Methodology
The Biocheck.UGent questionnaire was used to evaluate biosecurity measures, and the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol was used for welfare assessment.
Limitations
The study does not assess the impact of human-animal relationships on animal welfare.
Participant Demographics
Farms raising male fattening turkeys across Hungary.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0021
Confidence Interval
-0.256; -0.806
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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