Partition the Broiler House from the Very Start to Minimise Stress During Thinning

The BroilerNet project involves a bottom-up approach to identify challenges and innovation needs for broiler farmers in Europe, and to collect promising and already successfully implemented Good Practices to meet the challenges in questions. The top Good Practices selected by experts within the three thematic areas (animal health management, animal welfare and sustainability) have been summarized in factsheets.

Dividing the broiler house into two sections from the start of the production cycle is a preventive management practice aimed at reducing stress during thinning and enhancing overall animal welfare. By installing temporary or adjustable internal barriers, birds intended for first thinning can be separated from those remaining until final depopulation. This allows targeted feed withdrawal for removed birds while maintaining feed and water access for the rest of the flock, in line with welfare standards recommending 5–8 hours of fasting and continuous water access. The practice minimizes unnecessary handling, mixing, and disturbance, contributing to better physiological and behavioral outcomes. This could help maintain stable environmental conditions, by reducing animal agitation and competition, and supports better physiological and behavioral outcomes during a critical management phase.