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This research explores the extent to which different farm management practices influence the per-ceived animal friendliness of broiler production systems, and how this differs between individuals. Using a con-joint design with paired comparisons, respondents eval-uated broiler production systems that were described on the basis of 7 animal welfare-related practices. It was found that practices in the area of outdoor access, stocking density, and day-night rhythm were overall perceived to have a larger impact on perceptions of ani-mal friendliness than other practices, such as transport duration or the type of breed used. However, individu-als differed regarding the extent to which they believed the different farm management practices influenced the animal friendliness of the production system. Differ-ences between individuals regarding their knowledge about and familiarity with livestock farming, degree of anthropomorphism, and their moral beliefs regard-ing animal welfare partly explained the relative impor-tance individuals attached to farm management prac-tices. The obtained insight into which welfare-related farm management practices, in consumers' minds, most strongly contribute to animal welfare, and the existence of differences between consumers, can be helpful in the development of animal welfare-based certification schemes that are appealing to consumers, as well as the positioning of welfare concepts in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This review focuses on ways the industry can currently deal with pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) poultry meat. Overall, the rapid increase in poultry meat consumption and the move toward selling rriore cut-up parts have resulted in some complaints associated with meat quality. Because no genetic marker related to PSE in poultry used by breeders has yet been identified, processors can employ several preand postrigor strategies to minimize the magnitude of the problem. They include reducing stress before slaughter (e.g., during catching, transportation, waiting period, unloading) and during stunning (gas vs. electrical). Later, there is a need to better understand and adjust processing conditions such as electrical stimulation, chilling tate, and maturation. When dealing with cutup parts or deboned meat, strategies such as identifying arid separating PSE meat, diverting it to rio or low moisture-added products, and including additives to compennsate for the poor wnLter holding and texture can be beneficial. The potential contribution of ingreclients such as starches (regular, modified), carrageenans, and enzymes is discussed. When it comes to formed products (e.g., nuggets), gentle brine addition and the rise of low-pressure forming equipment can also help to minimize the effects of using PSE heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live bird markets (LBM) are essential for marketing poultry in many developing countries, and they are a preferred place for many people to purchase poultry for consumption throughout the world. Live bird markets are typically urban and have a permanent structure in which birds can be housed until they are sold. Live bird markets bring together a mixture of bird species that meet the preferences of their customers and that are commonly produced by multiple suppliers. The mixture of species, the lack of all-in-all-out management, and multiple suppliers are all features that make LBM potential sources of avian influenza viruses (AIV), especially for their supply flocks. Live bird markets have been linked to many outbreaks of avian influenza internationally and in the United States. Avian influenza virus is endemic in many, but not all, LBM systems. For instance, AIV has not been isolated from the Southern California LBM system since December 2005, although the risk of new introductions remains. The California LBM system is much smaller than the New York system, handles fewer birds, and has fewer bird suppliers, which, combined with recent avian influenza prevention and control plans, have enabled it to be AIV free for nearly 3 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]