Summary
This narrative review examines how contemporary selective breeding programmes, informed by genomics and quantitative genetic theory, can address poultry welfare concerns in intensive production systems. The authors highlight that indirect genetic effects (IGEs), multi-level selection, and kin selection show promise in reducing mortality, eliminating cannibalism and aggressive pecking, and improving robustness—the ability of birds to cope with environmental stressors—whilst maintaining or increasing productivity. The review situates these breeding advances within evolving ethical expectations and regulatory pressures for improved housing and management.
Regional applicability
This paper addresses methodological and genetic approaches applicable across intensive poultry production systems globally, including the United Kingdom. The emphasis on reducing beak trimming and improving welfare through breeding is directly relevant to UK poultry producers facing regulatory pressure and consumer demand for higher welfare standards, though specific implementation would depend on UK breeding stock genetics and regulatory frameworks.
Key measures
Mortality rates, productivity, pecking and cannibalism incidence, beak trimming necessity, robustness (stress-coping ability), leg score, bone strength, disease resistance, and welfare indicators.
Outcomes reported
The study examines how selective breeding programmes, enhanced by genomics and quantitative genetic theory, can improve poultry adaptation to production environments and welfare outcomes. It evaluates methods including genomic selection, indirect genetic effects (IGEs), multi-level selection, and kin selection for reducing mortality, cannibalism, pecking behaviour, and the need for beak trimming whilst maintaining productivity.
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