Breeding Welfare
Breeding for Welfare and Sustainability
We invite you to check out our new publication “Decades of Breeding for Welfare and Sustainability” which shines a light on the steady advancements we have made in these areas. Explore Aviagen’s balanced breeding and leading-edge selection techniques that leverage latest innovations in our breeding programs. Breeding for welfare and sustainability is not a final destination, but an ongoing journey, promising a continuous strengthening of health, welfare, sustainability and performance.
Bird welfare is at the heart of all we do
Passionate
Aviagen is passionate about the wellbeing of our birds, and bird welfare permeates every aspect of our operations.
Selection focus
In fact, over one third of the selection focus of our breeding program is on health and welfare traits.
Continuous improvement
We are proud to say our efforts are paying off in the field with continuous improvements in leg and gait health as well as other welfare traits.
Bird welfare is our passion
We treat our birds with respect and take care of all their needs. Our Global Welfare Policy is based on the Five Freedoms and Three Essentials of Stockmanship. That means our birds get top-quality care, including clean water, well-balanced nutrition, and an environment that’s tailored to their individual needs. Excellent veterinary care further strengthens their well-being.
Good welfare is good business
Taking good care of our birds is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also a smart business decision. When birds are well cared for, they show exceptional health and productivity. They are remarkably resilient, able to thrive in diverse climates and growing environments, and have better disease resistance. Plus, producers benefit from their strong reproductive performance, meat yield and growth rate.
Want to see how bird welfare translates to economic sustainability?
Check out our animated feature, “Good welfare is good business."
Accountability and transparency
We hold ourselves accountable to the highest welfare standards, and our welfare program undergoes regular audits by both internal and external auditors. As a member of the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB), we have adopted their Code of Good Practice for responsible breeding, Code-EFABAR.
Sharing is caring
We are committed to “communication, transparency and engagement” with our industry colleagues, such as associations, research institutes and universities. By collaborating closely through research, field studies, and sharing findings, we aim to enhance bird care throughout the supply chain. Our well-trained staff follows the latest and best welfare practices, which we also share with our customers through training, webinars and online resources.
At Aviagen, we don’t compromise when it comes to bird welfare, and everyone who works with us understands just how important it is.
