Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PPILOW (Poultry and PIg Low-input and Organic production systems’ Welfare)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-08-31
Standardized mobile apps for farmers to self-assess and benchmark on-farm the welfare status of the animals were co-developed (PIGLOW® for pigs) or refined (EBENE® for poultry) with NPG, and made EU-freely available in 9 and 7 European languages, respectively. They are currently being evaluated in longitudinal on-farm studies. Meanwhile, the creation of a data collection framework based on the One Welfare approach centered on both human and animal welfare has been co-created with NPG. Studies on alternatives, on the one hand to beak trimming using innovative incubation and insect larvae enrichment in laying hens (NL, BE), and on the other hand to piglet castration (FR), have been completed and show the interest of enrichments to manage these animals. For finding alternatives to the elimination of layer male chicks, three experimental trials are comparing dual-purpose genotypes (DK, DE, FR). The one completed on both males and females in DK showed a high variability of technical performance between genotypes, due to different strategy for crosses, exhibiting less or high layer or meat potentials, and the egg quality results for the different crosses were assessed. On-farm trials in the three countries enable the multicriteria evaluation of the use of male genotypes, and the field studies on females are almost finished. Concerning in ovo sexing, refinements on methodologies for electrophysical sensing have been assessed and sex-biomarkers are currently identified in different egg structures. Finally, studies with different broiler genotypes (FR, IT) have allowed a better understanding of the determinants of ranging behavior, and its consequences on chicken performance and adaptability. The use of early management levers for improving resilience is currently analysed (NL, FR, BE), including the experimental use of temperature variations during incubation, and the test of on-farm hatching with NPG members. Partners working with layers (DK) and pigs (RO) are developing strategies to limit intestinal parasitic and bacterial infections through different feed supplements, based both on in vitro and in vivo studies. Interesting effects of plants to limit worm infections in vitro are currently tested in Romanian pig farms. Joint protocols are developed and implemented in FR and DK to improve the sow welfare and piglet survival through selective breeding (FR) and innovation within farrowing house design for outdoor rearing of sows and piglets (DK). These innovative devices are currently tested in FR, BE and IT in pig NPG members’ farms, with a close follow-up by NPG facilitator partners. PPILOW developed online tools, released magazine articles and interviews for communicating on its activities and results, and co-organized the joint online conference “Improving Sustainability and Welfare in Organic Poultry and Pig production” with other EU projects, a workshop at the 2021 Organic World Congress and dedicated sessions at the World Poultry Conference 2022 and EAAP meeting 2023, together with the organization of technical days and the release of factsheets and practice abstracts.