Add-Praktijkimplementatie WQ-Vleeskuikens (BO-20-008-002.05)

In 2011 a project was carried out to study the possibilities for simplification of the Welfare Quality broiler welfare monitor, without compromising the reliability of the measures. Implementation in practice will be stimulated when the protocol can be carried out in a shorter time. The study in 2011 showed that it seemed possible to reliably shorten the welfare quality protocol, but that it was necessary to test that again in a new set of flocks with large variability in results. In addition, the previous project showed that stakeholders indicated that a possible function of the monitor is to help the farmer to guide his management, to improve broiler welfare on-farm. However, before the monitor can be implemented in practice and be used as a guidance for farm management, additional research is necessary how this can work in practice.

The study therefore has two aims:

(1) study if the protocol can be simplified, to promote the adoption of the monitor in practice;

(2) Study if, and if yes how, the monitor can be used as a guidance for management for the farmer, and how the measures can be implemented in advice to farmers. Repeated measures on the samen farm will show if management interventions are effective by improving the scores for individual welfare measures.