Planimetric Measurements Of But6 Toms During The Rearing And Fattening Period

High stocking densities in turkey husbandry have been suggested as being one potential trigger for the occurrence of behavioural disorders like feather pecking and cannibalism. For this reason, more and more scientific and social debates are focusing on this topic. The purpose of this study was to investigate how much floor space is covered by a male turkey (B.U.T. 6) in different body positions (standing/sitting) during the rearing and fattening period, respectively. The measurements were carried out using the colour contrast planimetric method KobaPlan. A total of 500 turkeys were weighed, placed in a box and photographed from the top of view in both body positions. Afterwards, the covered floor space was calculated using the KobaPlan software. At the end of the rearing period (35th day of life) male turkeys with an average weight of 1 975 g covered a floor space of 377.2 cm(2) (standing) and 414.4 cm(2) (sitting). Following existing agreements for stocking densities in the fattening period, these results lead to a recommendation of 11 turkeys/m(2) during rearing. In regards to the fattening period, on the 133th day of life the mean floor space for turkeys with a live weight of 21 139 g was between 1 405.0 cm(2) (standing) and 1 622.2 cm(2) (sitting). Based on a maximum stocking density of 58 kg live weight/m(2), up to 44,45% of the floor is covered by the birds. Consequently, more than 50% of the floor space is free for performing more space intensive behavioural activities. If these recommendations for stocking density are adequate to reassure animal welfare in turkey husbandry, additional ethological examinations are needed.