The broiler production systems of Sweden and the United States : a comparison of the processing systems andhealth and welfare programs

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis was to research broiler production in Sweden and the United States and to evaluate their processing systems as well as their health and welfare regulations. Sweden produces 110 million broilers a year and the United States produces 9 billion broilers a year. There are 120 broiler farms and 7 large slaughter plants in Sweden and there are 25,000 broiler farms and 180 slaughter plants in the US. Sweden has an 80% hatching rate with an average chick weight of 40 grams. The US has an 85% hatching rate and an average chick weight of 44 grams. Sweden’s flock density for conventional broilers is 36 kilos per square meter. The USDA’s flock density for conventional broilers is 35.7 kilos. Sweden has one of most effective Salmonella programs with less than 0.1% infection rate in its broilers. The Unites States has a 4.3% Salmonella infection rate in its broilers. The feed conversion in the United States is 1.60 and the feed conversion in Sweden is 1.65. The US organic broilers are reared a bit longer than Sweden and have a little lower weight. The US has a little bit longer conventional rearing time than Sweden but they weigh more.