2018/02/20 by Experton, Catherine, Le Bouquin, Sophie, Roinsard, Antoine +5
#Agriculture biologique #Alternative treatment #Organic broilers flocks #Poulet de chair #Pratiques #Produits alternatifs #Prévention #Santé #Systemic approach of health
paper · doi:10.15454/1.5191147043310452e12
In organic breeding, the synergies between livestock husbandry practices and animal health, taking into account the outlooks of the farmers, make it possible to strengthen the health of the livestock farms In organic production systems, health management is based on an ecopathological approach using preventive practices and alternative methods to the use of allopathic treatments. The results of the Casdar project “Synergy for healthy organic livestock” ((Experton, 2013) allow to draw a picture of the broilers’ health and welfare status. Based on an epidemiologic survey using 85 organic poultry farms and experiments on the animal leaving age, vaccination impacts against the coccidia, the water disinfection as well as socio-technical surveys, we observed a good state of health and welfare of the organic broilers with limited use of antibiotic treatment, low mortality rate and few healthcare issues, mostly digestive ones. Despite parasitic pressures, likely to be higher in outdoor farming (path outdoors…), the parasitic lesions were low and no link between parasitic presence and digestive issues has been highlighted. Space for improvement still exists, such as a better drinking water quality management, strengthening of hygiene and biosecurity measures. This project gave an overview of the alternative treatment methods used in organic broiler production. There was a wide variety of products used in organic chicken production with 62 different products and 203 identified uses. The share of preventive use was essential, with 78.9% of the uses compared with only 21.2% for curative treatments. Essential oils and plant extracts followed by oligo elements and minerals were the major components.