AGRICULTURE NEWS - While some may believe that ‘animal welfare’ and commercial livestock production are terms that cannot co-exist, the truth is that most farmers are arguably more committed to animal welfare than the most passionate animal activist is. 

Some pointers on keeping chickens happy and healthy: 

Chicken welfare

In chicken production, in particular, stress can lead to reduced growth rate, low feed efficiency, an impaired immune system, changes in intestinal microflora, and deterioration of meat quality. 

Reduced mortality

Healthy chickens are less likely to become sick and die, which reduces mortality rates and helps to ensure that more birds reach market weight. This can significantly affect the profitability of a poultry operation, as each bird represents a potential source of revenue.

Improved feed conversion

Healthy chickens are able to convert feed into body weight more efficiently, which can improve feed conversion ratios and reduce overall feed costs. This is important because feed is typically the largest expense in a poultry operation.

Read more on Caxton publication, Farmers Weekly

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