Thinning in broiler production refers to a partial depopulation to a barn of birds. The number or percentage of birds removed will vary and depends on the requirements of the processor at the time. This partial depopulation allows the processor to fulfil markets for lighter and heavier birds, from the one barn.

When a barn is due to be thinned, the feed will be removed for food safety reasons. Generally, this will mean that 100% of the birds will have feed removed while they may not be leaving the barn.

This Good Practice avoids this additional stress on the birds, as this barn has the ability to feed 50% of the birds to the rear of the barn which will not be thinned. Alternatively, the removal of feed can be staggered to avoid over starving birds.