1. Dolan, K. Broiler Welfare: Legal and ethical aspects. .Keywords : ethics; welfare; broiler; chicken; poultry; transport; Notes : Animal welfare legislation concerned with general agriculture dates in the UK from 1835. Since then there has been a series of acts and regulations concerned with the generalities of the subject and certain specific areas (such as transport andslaughter). However for legislation to work it requires moral support. Ethics is thestudy of moral decisions, or, as some would have it, the process of inventing right and wrong. Mores is a term which refers to the "moral mind set" of a culture and can differ according to location and time. Moral maxims can be regarded as moralsound-bites". Examples of moral maxims which have been applied to animal production are "the 5 freedoms". There are 2 main ethical approaches, deontological and teleological. The deontological (pertaining to duty), is based on conscience, whilethe teleological (pertaining to end or purpose) is based on concepts of utility,consequenes and cost/benefit. Much of the conflict in this area, as in many areas, is related to this dichotomy. The important thing is that we work towards a consensus.

2. Staines, P. Broiler Welfare: FAWC role.Keywords : broiler; welfare; FAWC; leg weakness; density; industry; pain; behaviour;stocking density; heat stress; stress; Notes : FAWC was formed (as FAWAC) in 1969 as a result of the Brambell committee report in 1966 into farm animal welfare. Its remit is to keep under reviewaspects of farm animal welfare and advise ministers. The 23 members of FAWC are appointed by government and normally serve a 3 year term. FAWC addresses specific topics either in response to a ministerial request or as a result of concern within FAWC. The process involves a number of stages: 1. Selection of a group from council members to represent a balance of views and include representation from ADAS and a MAFF veterinarian. 2. A consultation letter seeking views as widely as possible, and the analysis of the response. 3. Visits to industry and research establishments 4. Review and drafting of the document (typically this phase lasts about 12 months)5. Publication of a report The report on leg weakness in broilers has resulted in a 6th stage of ongoing review in which MAFF have asked FAWC to continue their involvement. The 5 freedoms should be regarded as targets or ideals and are, briefly,:1. from hunger and thirst 2. from discomfort 3. from pain, injury and disease 4. to exhibit normal behaviour 5. from fear or distress The main recommendations on broiler growing referred to : Stocking density 34kg/sq.m. a pre-existing recommendation, no evidence found for a change. Priority in avoiding heat stress mortality Provision of sufficient light to allow adequate inspection and a period of darkness. Prompt culling as required FAWC has recommended research on all of these areas and also "leg weakness" and litter quality. Research on leg weakness carried out at Bristol University and published in 1992(Vet.Rec.190-194) found 42% of broilers with score 2 (moderate weakness) and 26%score 3 or higher. A large survey (MAFF/BCA) is in progress to investigate this further. Birds are scored by industry field staff but monitored by experienced veterinarians. Preliminary results suggest that there were only 3.2% of score 3 or higher in 1994 and 2.6% in 1995. Vets scores tend to be slightly lower than fieldsman scores. FAWC is proposing that the industry and Bristol University staff meet to resolve the conflicting results.

3. Forkman, B. Broiler Welfare: A psychological view. .Keywords : broiler; welfare; chicken; psychology; Notes : The psychological aspects of broiler welfare refer the "Freedem 5, the freedom from mental suffering and boredom. There are 3 levels of learning : 1.Outcome independent learning - this is akin to habit formation and is shown by manylower animals (or even parts of animals). 2. Outcome dependent learning - trial anderror - seen only in mammals. 3. Goal directed learning - only in great apes and manBroiler chickens do not seem to have been studied extensively using psychological tests. Much of the information on bird psychology has been generated in pigeon studies.

4. Mitchell, M.A. Broiler Welfare: A physiological view. Keywords : broiler; welfare; physiology; heat stress; transport; stress; Notes : Welfare, in physiological terms, is the state of the animal with respect to its ability to cope with its environment. Stress can be regarded as the opposite of welfare.The physiological reaction to stressors was originally described by Cannon (1932) and expanded on by Seyle (1936). It can pass through stages of compensation, to inadequate compensation to decompensation, the latter being a state in which the measures to restore physiological equilibrium actually make the problem worse (positive feedback leading to shock). From the physiologists point of view the measurement of stress must be objective. A single measurement is rarely adequate,excessive reliance has been placed on plasma corticosterone concentration. The workon broiler transportation done at Roslin was presented as a good example of physiological research which led to practical, welfare and economic benefits. By including instrumented crates at different points in loads it was possible to show that the environment within the load is far from constant with greatest risk of heat stress towards the front and top of a load. Simple modifications using a knowledge ofaerodynamics and wind tunnel models allowed the correction of this problem. Humidity is always high within a load and this exacerbates the effects of high temperatures. Curves have been constructed from a mathematical model on "apparent equivalent temperature" which corrects the environmental temperature for relative humidity.

5. Pattison, M. and Law, W. Broiler Welfare: The Poultry Industry's roles and perceptions. Keywords : broiler; welfare; poultry; density; industry; leg weakness; management;feeding; femoral head necrosis; Notes : Key factors for good bird welfare are good quality feed, clean water, dry litter, fresh air, good stockmanship and, when required handling (e.g. catching). Site hygiene, biosecurity and vaccination programmes will all contribute to the birds welfare by the control of disease. Ventilation rates are typically 40% greater than 5 years ago. Chick quality, and feeding and lighting programmes have a significantimpact on bird viability. "Thinning" is still a necessary procedure in order to fulfill the market requirements (fixed weight carcasses and portions). Predicting future mortality patterns is a serious dilemma. Unexpectedly low mortality can lead to high bird density. Infectious leg problems are still a significant challenge - "Femoral Head Necrosis", osteomyelitis, arthritis and synovitis. The non-infectious causes,"kinky-back", tibial dyschondroplasia, and valgus/varus abnormalities are less common than previously.

6. McKay, J.C. A breeding company's role in improving broiler welfare. Keywords : broiler; welfare; transport; genetics; leg weakness; femoral head necrosis;breeding company; feed restriction; Notes : The author was speaking on behalf of Ross Breeders (at broiler level representing >60% of the UK market, >40% of EU market and >25% of the world market). The welfare strategy of the company promotes a positive attitude among employess, defines specific responsibilities, supports staff training, involves a commitment to research and integrates welfare issues into breeding policy. The company has launched a number of specific initiatives which have a bearing on broiler welfare: Health status - eradication of a number of disease-producing organisms from the breeding population Disease resistance - Selection for improved resistance to Marek's disease, also research on CAV and reovirus infections Metabolic disease -Ascites and sudden death syndrome Skeletal Development - selection for improved conformation and real-timecomputerised radiography for tibial dysnchondroplasia (now extended to all lines) Femoral Head Necrosis - a disease with a site-specific high incidence, in which bacterial infections interact with immunosuppression and, possibly nutritional influences (especially abnormal Ca/P ratios). Feed Restriction - for both breeders and broilers Transport - phyiological factors in the transport of day-old chicks. The following parameters are expected for the commercial broiler in the year 2001: Killing age = -4 days,Growth rate = +6g/day, FCR = -25 points, Feed intake = -350g, Carcase yield = +1.3% or 33g, Breast yield = +1.8% or 44g. It was emphasised tha most producers still operate very considerably below the genetic potential of the stock.!

7. Hocking, P. Broiler Welfare: The future role of genetics. BVPA Summer Meeting,Roslin, 2/7/96 1996.Keywords : broiler; welfare; genetics; chicken; PCR; micro-satellites; markers; Notes : Genetic mapping is likely to be the key to future selection procedures. This involves the use of polymerase chain reactions for the examination of"micro-satellites". These are plentiful, evenly spaced markers. Although their number in chickens is only one tenth of their number in mammals the can still provide reliable marking of chromosomes for the study of mutations and population genetics. It is possible to type large number of birds quickly. Polymorphisms are very common (often 6 or 7 alleles in 8 birds tested).

8. Savory, J. Broiler Welfare: Environment - Feeding Programmes. Keywords : broiler; welfare; chicken; stress; nutrition; feeding; feed restriction; broilerparent; behaviour; Notes : This paper concentrated on feed programmes for broiler parent chickens.The modern broiler parent is allowed to consume only 30% of its ad-lib consumptionin the period 7-15 weeks of age. The effect of this is to reduce its growth by about two thirds. In one experiment birds were fed as per this programme, with twice the normal amount of feed or ad-lib. Growth response was proportional to feed supplied. Behavioural studies indicated that birds on ad lib feeding tended to spend much of their time sitting down. With progressive feed restriction there was increased activity in general but also specific "abnormal" behavioural patterns involving pecking at floor litter and excessive drinking. Haematological testing was carried out on birds from the three treatments and there was a consistent reduction in heterophil/lyphocyte ratios,basophil counts and monocyte counts with increasing restriction. This was interpretedto be indicative of increased stress. Another experiment involved the use of various feed diluents (30 and 60% oat hulls, 50% sawdust, 40% beet pulp), and also appetite suppressants (monensin sodium and calcium proprionate). The birds appear to havebeen fed in feeders in all trials. The results suggested that these options could be used to control weight gain but the uniformity might suffer. There was a marked reduction in abnormal behaviour but not in hyperactivity (suggesting that the birds were still hungry).

9. Elson, H.A. Broiler Welfare: Environment - Stocking Density. .Keywords : broiler; welfare; density; stress; poultry; industry; stocking density; Notes : Stocking density is not usually the cause of welfare problems in broilers but can contribute when other factors are causing problems. A review of stocking densitiescarried out in different countries yielded the following figures: UK (1993) (actual?) - 40 q.m.MAFF(1987)/FAWC(1992) - 34 Kg/Sq.m (recommendation)Germany (1993) - 30-37 Kg/Sq.mSweden (1994) - 25-33 Kg/Sq.m. (now up to 36)UK Freedom Foods (1995) - 30 Kg/Sq.m. (recommendation)Australia (1992) - 40 (Kg/Sq.m.)Current UK data (Jan-Jun 96) would suggest an average final stocking density of around 44 Kg/Sq.m (but this does not make allowances for thinning programmes). A review of this subject by Prof. Broom at Cambridge University suggested that a stocking density of 25 Kg/Sq.m. is appropriate. Studies carried out at ADAS Gleadthorpe did not demonstrate any consistent effect of stocking density on physiological measures of stress (S.Gordon). A programme organised by the poultry industry in Sweden was discussed. This involves a detailed and independent evaluation of each farm, including facilities/buildings, equipment, and stockmanship (this with the highest weighting). It is proposed that the top 20% of farms would stock at 36kg/Sq.m and that this would be reduced by 1 Kg/Sq.m. for every 5% drop. It was suggested that this might be a way forward for the UK industry also (and that thisapproach might allow the approval and validation of higher stocking densities under certain circumstances).

10. Weeks, C. The effect of leg weakness on the behaviour of broilers. .Keywords : broiler; welfare; gait scores; analgesia; carprofen; behaviour; pain; Notes : Broilers of approximately 4 weeks of age were obtained from a commercial grower. Only birds with a gait-score in the range 0 to 3 were used in the experiments. Birds with higher gait scores tended to feed for shorter periods of time and also tended to eat while lying down. An analgesic compound (Carprofen) was used in experiments.In heat avoidance tests it was confirmed to be analgesic in broilers. It tended to improve gait scores in a dose-dependent fashion and also increased the tendency of birds to eat while standing. It was recognised that since the compound has anti-inflammatory effects in addition to its analgesic effects that this does not provethat birds with poorer gait scores are suffering more pain.

11. Gentile, M. Broiler Welfare: Lameness and Pain. Keywords : broiler; welfare; physiology; chicken; behaviour; pain; Mycoplasmagallisepticum; Sodium urate; Freund's adjuvant; Notes : The author described a research programme into the physiology of painassociated with arthritis in birds. One of the questions which this work is hoped to answer is to what extent "leg problems" in chickens are a response to pain and to whatextent they simply refect mechanical problems. Birds of a light, heavy or hybrid strainhave been used. Sodium urate microcrystals injected into the "hock" or tarsal joint produce acute synovitis within 15 minutes. Injection of Freunds complete adjuvant results in severe erosion of cartilage. A third model in which Mycoplasma gallisepticum is administered into the joint is under development. Results of neuro-physiological experiments were shown which support the view that the inflammatory response increases the tendency to discharge of certain type of nerves. This work also involves recording the behaviour of birds in which acute arthritis isinduced. Signs of reduced mobility and apparent suffering were most marked when birds were maintained in isolation and deprived of feed. When the same birds were given access to feed or put in a pen with other birds the signs were dramatically reduced. "It is almost as if the bird can have only one thing on its mind at a time"