Stocking density: Factor of production performance, quality and broiler welfare

Abstract

Significance of stocking density in broiler production i.e. production performance, vitality and health condition of chickens, was established at the beginning of development of industrial poultry production. However, considering intensive development of selection work and creation of more productive genotypes which, at the same time, were more demanding in regard to rearing conditions, the current importance of this research is not diminished. In favour of this statement is also the complexity of the effect of stocking density which is direct, indirect, and interacted with other factors of rearing, which eventually reflects on all aspects of broiler production: economical efficiency, quality of products and broiler welfare aspects. In the paper a review of research results is presented with general objective to define optimal stocking density in broiler production based on comparison of effects on production performances, parameters of carcass quality and indicators of broiler welfare.