Day 104 - 15 Mar 95 - Page 46


     
     1        shavings on many sites.
     2
     3   Q.   Is it right that you find that the environment/index.html">litter that is made from
     4        paper is easier to manage, to produce as more dry friable
     5        material?
     6        A.  I would not say necessarily it is easier.  I do not
     7        think there is a great deal of preference for one or the
     8        other.  It really does not make too much difference.
     9
    10   Q.   So you have not noticed any change in the incidents of feet
    11        and leg problems, hock burns or things like that since
    12        switching over?
    13        A.  No.  We have not associated that with the change.
    14
    15   Q.   Is there any reason why change over to paper would affect
    16        the humidity of the sheds?
    17        A.  I am not aware that it does.
    18
    19   Q.   So far as you know it is exactly the same?
    20        A.  It is exactly the same.  It is just an alternative.
    21
    22   Q.   What is the cull rate for broiler breeders?
    23        A.  The broiler breeders we do not really cull very many at
    24        all.
    25
    26   Q.   What is the mortality rate for broiler breeders?
    27        A.  The mortality rate during the rearing period to 18
    28        weeks is normally going to be in the order of three or four
    29        per cent.
    30
    31   Q.   When you say "during the rearing period"?
    32        A.  To 18 weeks.
    33
    34   Q.   Right.
    35        A.  Then from 18 weeks to the end is a further 6 per cent.
    36
    37   Q.   OK.  Chicken beaks, they have nerves to the end of those
    38        beaks, do they not?
    39        A.  There are various receptors, that is right.
    40
    41   Q.   Would you accept that beak trimming can affect the
    42        behaviour of birds and they would be less likely to peck at
    43        the ground and things like that?
    44        A.  I do not think it affects the behaviour as such at all.
    45
    46   Q.   Is that something that you have looked into?
    47        A.  It is only by my own observations.
    48
    49   Q.   The tip of the beak also has pain receptors, yes?
    50        A.  There are various receptors in the beak. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Including pain receptors at the tip of the beak? 
    53        A.  Well, yes.  The actual receptors have various names
    54        which I cannot remember actually at the moment, but they
    55        are sensitive to various stimuli.
    56
    57   Q.   Would Sun Valley farms be inspected by local authority
    58        representatives or is that something that is not their
    59        responsibility?
    60        A.  No, not usually.

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