The Effect of Lighting System and Feeder Type on the Incidence of Bruising, and Type of Housing and Feeder on Production of Broilers

CONSIDERABLE economic loss is experienced in the production of broilers from downgrading at the processing plant. Bruises resulting from injuries received during the growing period, catching, handling and transportation to the plant have been shown to be the major cause of downgrading at the processing plant (Ringrose, 1953; and Saunders and Lanson, 1954). It has been estimated that the economic loss caused by downgrading of eviscerated broilers is about twice that due to condemnation (Crothers and Helbacka, 1960; and May and Hamdy, 1965). Although May and Hamdy (1965) have shown that much of the bruising occurring in broilers is inflicted during the 24 hours immediately prior to slaughter, there is some evidence that bruising does occur prior to catching and possibly from frightened birds bumping against equipment during the time the caretaker is in the house. Since Huston's (1968) preliminary studies with small groups of broilers have suggested that the…