Touch Test for Broilers On-Farm

Poor human-animal relationship and high levels of fear are detrimental to broiler welfare. Human-animal relationship can be assessed on-farm using the Touch Test. To conduct this test, the number of birds within arm’s reach of an observer that can be touched are recorded and this is compared to the calculated theoretical number of birds based on stocking density. This test assumes that birds that are less fearful of humans will be more likely to approach an observer and allow themselves to be touched (actual number of touched birds is equal or greater than theoretical number). Like all behavioural tests with broilers that involve mobility, caution should be taken when interpreting the outcome of this test on older or heavier broilers.