Balance between feed efficiency and bone health in free-range broilers reared under global warming conditions

This study explores the interactions between bone health, feed efficiency, and environmental conditions in slow-growing broiler chickens reared under contrasting production systems, namely indoor housing and
outdoor access. Emphasis is placed on summer production periods characterized by heat stress, a major challenge for poultry welfare and productivity under changing climatic conditions. Through an integrated
approach combining morphometric, densitometric, mechanical, and genetic analyses, the research evaluates how rearing environment influences skeletal integrity and production performance. The results reveal significant relationships between bone quality traits, adaptive responses to environmental stressors, and feed efficiency, highlighting the complex biological mechanisms linking animal robustness and productive efficiency. By providing new insights into the effects of production systems and climatic stress on skeletal development, this work contributes to the advancement of sustainable and welfare-oriented poultry farming strategies, while supporting the development of climate-resilient livestock systems.