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Analysis of institutional authors

Nganga, ZachariaAuthor
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Welfare issues in broiler chickens: overview

Publicated to:Worlds Poultry Science Journal. 79 (2): 285-329 - 2023-03-22 79(2), DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2023.2175343

Authors: Tainika, Brian; Sekeroglu, Ahmet; Akyol, Ahmet; Nganga, Zacharia Waithaka

Affiliations

Inst Recerca i Tecnol Agroalimentaries IRTA, Anim Nutr, Constanti, Spain - Author
Institut de Recerca I Technologia Agroalimentaries , Universitat Rovira i Virgili - Author
Nigde Omer Halisdemir Univ, Fac Agr Sci & Technol, Dept Anim Prod & Technol, Nigde, Turkey - Author
Nigde Omer Halisdemir Univ, Fac Agr Sci & Technol, Dept Anim Prod & Technol, TR-51240 Nigde, Turkey - Author
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University - Author
Univ Rovira & Virgili, Dept Bioquim & Biotecnol, MoBioFood Res Grp, Tarragona, Spain - Author
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Abstract

SUMMARY: Development of quality welfare assessment protocols is a necessary step towards achieving high broiler welfare standards. Rapid growth rate and highly intensive commercial production systems have been highly associated with poor welfare indicated by mainly leg deformities, high stress levels and increased fear responses. Stress response in broilers is characterised by increased corticosterone and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio especially under heat stress, high light intensity, high stocking density, and an unenriched environment. Rearing environment, genotypes, high light intensity and human handling highly influence fear responses as proved during tonic immobility, open field, novel enrichment, and avoidance distance tests. Lameness which is usually visually assessed by a gait score scale remains an undisputable indicator of poor welfare in broiler production due to its effects on mobility and association with pain. Other leg problems including footpad dermatitis and hock burn also remain significant and they are highly associated with fast growth, high stocking density, poor litter quality, and poor or non-enriched production systems. Litter management and good ventilation are necessary to ensure good plumage conditions, reduction in ammonia emissions thereby promoting the well-being of broilers. Generally, broilers should be motivated and able to exhibit natural behaviours without straining including feeding, drinking, walking, and stretching thereby enhancing bird health, performance, production, and consumer satisfaction. Using a systematic approach, the important welfare parameters including stress, fear response, leg problems, plumage condition, environment, and behaviour are intensively discussed to explore the latest insights of broiler chickens’ welfare.

Keywords
behaviourbone characteristicsbroiler production systemdomestic-fowlenvironmental enrichmentfearfoot-pad dermatitisgrowth-performancelaying hensleg weaknessstresstibial dyschondroplasiatonic immobilityBehaviourBroiler industryBroiler production systemFearGait-scoring systemStress

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Worlds Poultry Science Journal due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 5/80, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 21.38, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions May 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-05-03, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 17
  • Scopus: 24
  • OpenCitations: 10
Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-05-03:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 72.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 68 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 18.
Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Turkey.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (Waithaka Ng’ang’a Z).