The effects of environmental enrichment on performance, behavior and body defects in atak-S male chickens

In this study, it is aimed to determine the effects of environmental enrichment on performance, behavior, body defects, slaughter, carcass and meat quality characteristics in the littered system, which is widely used in closed housing system, of domestic ATAK-S layer genotypes, the use of which is increasing day by day in egg production in our country. In this study, the ATAK-S genotype, which has gained recognition both in the country and abroad in recent years, was used as a material. This study was carried out in Yozgat Bozok University BOZOKTUAM Yerköy Animal farm, 200 slow growing ATAK-S genotype male chicks at daily age were used. In the study, there were 2 different treatment groups (environmentally enriched or not in the littered system) and 4 replications in each group. Each replication consists of wire mesh partitions with a floor area of 6.25 m2 (250 cm x 250 cm). 25 chickens (4 chickens/m2) were placed in each replicate. In the study, chickens were reared together in a closed system until the 7th week. The chickens were divided into treatment groups from this week and reared until the 13th week, data were taken and then went to slaughter. In the study, breast and thigh meat L* value was higher and breast meat a* value was lower in chickens in environmental enrichment groups. In the environmentally enriched groups, the pHu value of thigh meat was lower and the cooking loss value was higher. In terms of behavioral characteristics, better distribution in the pen, higher scratching, foraging for foraging and water seeking behavior, feather swelling and cleaning behavior were detected in the chickens of environmentally enrichment group. Breast feather score from body defects was found better in environmentally enriched chickens. It has been observed that environmental enrichment applications are generally effective on behavioral characteristics of ATAK-S chickens.