Welfare Assessment on Farms: What Good Welfare Actually Looks Like

By Dr. Maral Rahmani

PoultryMed Veterinary Services

November 2025

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What Good Welfare Actually Looks Like

When you walk into a poultry barn, good welfare is something you can feel before you even start measuring it. The air is fresh, the birds move with confidence, and the flock has a steady rhythm that tells you the environment is working for them not against them.

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1. Birds That Move With Purpose

A well-cared-for flock spreads out evenly, explores, dust-bathes, and shows curiosity. Birds that run toward feeders instead of away from people often reflect a farm where handling is calm and predictable.

If birds freeze, pile, or avoid certain areas, it’s a sign that something in the environment needs attention.

2. A Barn That “Breathes” Properly

Ventilation is one of the most underrated welfare factors. Good barns have:

• Quiet, steady airflow
• No hot or cold pockets
• Minimal ammonia smell

When the air is right, birds grow better, respiratory issues drop, and footpad quality improves dramatically.

3. Feed and Water Without Competition

A welfare assessment looks at how birds access feed and water—not just whether they have it.

Crowding, pushing, or uneven growth often point to feeder space issues or poor distribution. Even small changes in feeder height or water pressure can fix big flock problems.

4. Health Indicators Hidden in Plain Sight

Footpads, hock color, plumage condition, and gait tell the real welfare story.
A flock may look fine from a distance but reveal early issues when a few birds are picked up and examined.
Good welfare means:

• Clean, dry footpads
• Strong legs
• Consistent weight gain
• Low early chick mortality

5. Calm Birds = Good Management

Birds that stay calm during walkthroughs are a strong welfare indicator.
When they panic or pile, welfare assessments look at:

• Handler approach
• Lighting intensity
• Equipment noise
• Past experiences

Small behaviour changes often reflect larger management patterns.

6. Welfare That Pays for Itself

Strong welfare isn’t just ethical, it’s economically smart. Farms with good welfare often see:

• Better feed conversion
• Improved uniformity
• Fewer disease outbreaks
• Stronger flock resilience during stress events

Welfare assessments help farmers catch issues early, make simple adjustments, and build barns where birds perform comfortably and consistently.

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