Ethological aspects of improving the welfare of turkey breeders in the hot summer period by dietary L-arginine supplementation

The utilization of food additives to improve poultry welfare during the hot summer months is essential under farm production conditions. The most accurate indicator for that is the behaviour of birds. The aim of this study was to observe the changes in the the behaviour of turkey breeders during a thermoneutral and hot summer period -32 oC, as well as the possibility to improve their welfare through the addition of 1% L-arginine in their feed during the hot summer days. The behaviour of the turkey breeders was observed with a video camera. During the hot summer period there was a significant increase in turkey breeders exhibiting drinking and aggressive behaviour, while there was a decrease in the number of birds performing dustbathing, feather pecking, egg-laying, and sexual behavi¬our. The addition of 1% arginine to the feed contributed to a significant improvement in turkey breeders welfare during the hot summer period, which was manifested through more frequent dustbathing, improved egg-laying and sexual behaviour, as well as less aggression among birds.