Special Issue "Adaptability of Different Poultry Genotypes to Organic Rearing Systems to Improve Sustainability, Welfare and Meat Quality"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Poultry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Monica Guarino Amato
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CREA Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Livestock Production and Aquaculture Centre. Via Salaria 31, Monterotondo-Roma, Rome, Italy
Interests: poultry production; organic farming
Dr. Alessandro Dal Bosco
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06100 Perugia, Italy
Interests: poultry meat quality; rearing systems; welfare; sustainability
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The poultry market is dominated by fast-growing genotypes that in about 42–50 days of life, are ready to be slaughtered as broilers. These genotypes are not suitable for extensive rearing methods, such as those associated with organic farming, due to several health and welfare issues. Slow-growing genotypes are clearly more suited for this purpose, but there is no standard definition for the term “slow growing” either in terms of weight or genetic line. In addition, some slow-growing genotypes are less profitable when considering the production of meat and conversion rate, so producers often choose fast-growing genotypes. Taking into account the market, farmers, and welfare of the animals, it would be better to talk about adaptability of a genotype to cope with outdoor rearing.

The aim of this Special Issue is to invite manuscripts with different views about the adaptability of poultry genotypes selected for meat production in extensive rearing in relation to sustainability and quality, without focusing only on the market niche but proposing solutions that could be economically sustainable for producers and consumers alike.

Dr. Monica Guarino Amato
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • adaptability
  • organic
  • free range
  • poultry genotypes
  • meat quality

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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Article
Differences in Tibia Shape in Organically Reared Chicken Lines Measured by Means of Geometric Morphometrics
Animals 2021, 11(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010101 - 06 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 514
Abstract
In the present study, the conformation of the tibia of seven genetic lines of broilers was analyzed by Geometric Morphometrics and correlated to carcass weight and walking ability. The used chicken genetic lines were classified as fast, medium, or slow growing and ranked [...] Read more.
In the present study, the conformation of the tibia of seven genetic lines of broilers was analyzed by Geometric Morphometrics and correlated to carcass weight and walking ability. The used chicken genetic lines were classified as fast, medium, or slow growing and ranked for their walking ability. Six chicken types were reared in an organic farm and slaughtered at 81 days of age while one slow-growing and highly walking line (Naked Neck) was reared in a commercial farm and used as external reference for moving activity and growth speed. A mixed landmarks and semi-landmarks model was applied to the study of tibia shape. Results of this study showed that: (i) body weight gain was positively correlated to the curvature of the antero-posterior axis of the tibia; (ii) the shape of the tibia and the active walking behavior were significantly correlated; (iii) walking and not-walking genetic lines could be discriminated in relation to the overall shape of the tibia; (iv) a prevalence of static behavior was correlated to a more pronounced curvature of the antero-posterior axis of the tibia. Results of this study revealed that the walking genetic types have a more functional and natural tibia conformation. This easy morphologic method for evaluating tibia shape could help to characterize the adaptability of genotypes to organic and outdoor rearing. Full article
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Review

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Review
Extensive Rearing Systems in Poultry Production: The Right Chicken for the Right Farming System. A Review of Twenty Years of Scientific Research in Perugia University, Italy
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051281 - 29 Apr 2021
Viewed by 506
Abstract
The demand for poultry meat, being cheaper than red meat, will drive worldwide production of this product. Accordingly, an increase in production up to 16% is expected in 2025, most of which will occur in developing countries. Most poultry meat production is realized [...] Read more.
The demand for poultry meat, being cheaper than red meat, will drive worldwide production of this product. Accordingly, an increase in production up to 16% is expected in 2025, most of which will occur in developing countries. Most poultry meat production is realized with intensive production systems, and extensive rearing systems (ERS) of poultry (organic, free-range, and low-input) represent only a small portion of poultry production in the EU (about 5%). However, there is an increasing interest in such rearing systems to maintain the good image of product and environmental sustainability, improved animal welfare, and meat quality with an annual trend of growth of about 10%. The aims of this work were to summarize the activities and the viewpoint of the researchers of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science of the University of Perugia (Italy). One of the most important goals of the research unit was the challenge of identifying the best poultry genotypes for ERS, which are important not only for the food industry but also for the improvement of human nutrition. Only the definition of the best genotypes adapted to ERS through the measurement of a wide panel of traits—genetic, physiologic, and behavior—and not only relying on daily weight gain will allow us to achieve this goal. Full article
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