Abstract
This book discusses the scientific basis for the measurement and auditing of the welfare of broilers for meat production. It is divided into three parts, where Part 1 presents the ways in which the birds can serve as indicators of welfare, Part 2 examines some of the more important aspects the chickens' environment and feed that may affect their welfare and Part 3 presents the practical issues concerning the measurement and auditing of broiler welfare. The 23 chapters include discussions on lameness, measuring and auditing the welfare of broiler breeders, pododermatitis and hock burn, the impact of metabolic disorders on welfare, morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases, abnormal behaviour and fear, biosecurity, feed, light, air hygiene, stocking density, transport and handling, poultry processing, comparison of welfare in different systems, human factors influencing broiler welfare, auditing systems, farm assurance and welfare in the UK, the use of models in assessing welfare, development and implementation of a welfare audit in the Australian chicken meat industry, the significance of broiler welfare, public attitudes and expectations to welfare, broiler welfare standards and automation in measuring chicken behaviour and welfare. An index is also included at the end of the book. This book will be of significant interest to legislators, poultry producers and those working in quality assurance, meat and food science, veterinary medicine and animal behaviour and welfare.