Welfare issues associated with Ratite husbandry practices

Abstract

This chapter examines some of the methods being used to assess welfare in ratites, identifies the welfare issues associated with declawing and highlights concerns with stockperson skills and brooder house management. Partial amputation of the toes of ratites has welfare implications. It causes ratites acute pain; they become flatfooted and change their gait and they can slip and fall over in wet paddocks and handling areas. However, the blunting of the claws reduces the bird’s ability to deliver kicks and injuries to other birds during aggressive encounters and improves skin quality in the flock and reduces the potential for handlers suffering injuries. The role of handlers in ratite farming is examined. While there has been little research undertaken in the ratite industry on skills of stockpersons, work with other livestock shows that it is essential that animal handlers have the skills to look after their stock and develop a good affinity with their birds. Livestock which are housed in facilities with good air quality grow faster and consume more feed than animals exposed to poor air quality. Improving air quality in ratite brooding facilities could improve production and provide a better working environment for farm employees. It is clear that declawing of ratites, stockperson skills and housing have a major impact on welfare. The accreditation of persons practising declawing, the training of stockpersons in ratite handling and improvement in air quality in brooding and rearing facilities would result in a significant improvement in ratite welfare.