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 European
consumers increasingly demand meat which is both affordable and obtained
from welfare-friendly production systems. Turkey is an inexpensive source
of low fat meat. It has become affordable to consumers through genetic
and husbandry improvements which result in increased meat yield.
There has, however, been concern that these improvements have occurred
without sufficient consideration to animal welfare. Currently, there is
a high level of locomotory dysfunction in growing turkeys, with unprecedented
levels of tibial dyschondroplasia, (a disorder affecting the growth plate
which, in severe cases, can be associated with bone deformity). It has
been suggested that turkey locomotory problems are a result of selection
for production traits. It is also known that locomotory problems can be
influenced by husbandry practices. The welfare implications of locomotory
problems in turkeys have not been fully appraised.
This project
aims to address these issues and has 4 main objectives:
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