On Freedom Food farms, the maximum stocking density is slightly lower (equivalent to 1.25 sheets of A4 per bird, as opposed to a single sheet), the birds grow half as fast, lighting is varied and brighter, and the environment is enriched with bales, perches and pecking objects.
The new measures will include the introduction of a maximum stocking density limit, data collection and scientific monitoring of impacts on chicken welfare.
The maximum stocking density for any fish is 150kg adult size per unit cubic meter, which is extremely not recommended.
Jones and Ruscoe (2000) commented that high stocking densities (maximum density recommended to be between 9 and 15 m2), insufficient supplemental feeding, and limited shelter options are other factors that can influence such behaviour.
"I wrote to all ministers prior to today's meeting, asking them to agree to a national definition of free range that ensures enhanced animal welfare standards, and sets a maximum free range stocking density of 1,500 hens per hectare".
Welfare: Reared in sheds but at lower stocking densities - a maximum of 30kg per sq m, i.e. 1.25 sheets of A4 paper per bird.
Specific growth rates increased with increasing stocking densities but only from the densities of 25 100 fish/m3.
Intracohort competition increased with stocking density, while seed settlement, which increases the risk of mussel dislodgements and leads to intercohort competition, was higher at moderate stocking densities.
Daily lying time, lying bouts, and bout duration did not differ among the stocking densities.
