Sustainability of broiler meat and egg production systems

This thesis aimed to evaluate broiler and egg production systems within the scope of sustainability criteria in Turkey. Sustainability in broiler meat production was investigated in a total of 23 farms: a conventional system using fast-growing broilers (C-F) and utilizing diets based on all vegetable ingredients using either fast- (V-F) or slow-growing (V-S) broilers. The sustainability was evaluated for economic criteria, including age at slaughter, slaughter weight, feed consumption and feed conversion. Footpad dermatitis, stocking density, and mortality rate were investigated for animal welfare in terms of social sustainability while litter moisture and pH and cost of electricity were used for environmental sustainability. The highest total sustainability score was obtained in the "V-F" system. Slaughter weight and footpad dermatitis had the highest weight in the sustainability score. Sustainability in egg production was examined in a total of 24 farms including organic, free-range, and conventional cage systems. Egg production, feed consumption, dirty and broken eggs, and the egg price were evaluated as the economic sustainability criteria. In terms of social sustainability, feather score, mortality rate and free-range area were used as animal welfare criteria. Land usage, electricity and water costs, litter production and moisture and pH of litter were examined for environmental sustainability. Overall sustainability score in egg production was highest for organic production. Egg price and egg production were found to be the most important two criteria of sustainability in egg production.