Assessment of welfare status of three indigenous chicken populations of Odisha, India during heat stress.

The current study was designed for on-farm assessment of the welfare measures of the three indigenous chicken populations of Odisha, viz., Aseel, Hansli, and Vezaguda, in their native tracts, i.e., Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, and Koraput districts, respectively, during heat stress. Ten numbers of farming units from each population were surveyed through a structured questionnaire including primary and secondary data. Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) was conducted to know the emotional state of the birds. Survey data was transformed into scores (0-100), with higher scores indicating better welfare and lower prevalence. Aseel birds showed the lowest percentage of birds panting (31%) among the three (P ˂ 0.01). For lameness scoring, Aseel birds showed the highest percentage of birds under score 0 and 1, indicating better leg health (P ˂ 0.01). Parasitic score was better in Vezaguda as compared to Aseel and Hansli birds (P ˂ 0.01). Appropriate behavioural expression, i.e., aggressive behaviour, was better expressed in Aseel birds (P ˂ 0.01). The touch test score was significantly higher in Vezaguda birds (median score: 50, P ˂ 0.01). QBA scores revealed that Aseel birds displayed more positive emotional descriptors, while Vezaguda birds showed more negative ones. In conclusion, a higher positive emotional state in Aseel birds is the outcome of better welfare practices. " Although the poultry farming units of indigenous breeds in their native tracts used some welfare enhancements, Aseel farming units had more welfare indicators with better outcomes than other farming units.