Abstract

Background:
Due to growing concerns regarding biosecurity, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental sustainability, and food security, animal welfare has become an increasingly important component of sustainable poultry production systems. Recent advances in precision livestock farming (PLF) and digital monitoring technologies have transformed poultry welfare research into a multidisciplinary field that integrates animal science, epidemiology, sustainability, and One Health perspectives.

Aim:
This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of global poultry welfare research published between 2015 and 2025 to identify publication trends, thematic structures, emerging research themes, and future research directions.

Methods:
In May 2026, bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus database using keyword combinations related to animal welfare, poultry, duck, sustainability, biosecurity, and PLF. We included only English-language journal articles published between 2015 and 2025. Bibliometric analyses were performed using Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny in RStudio and VOSviewer version 1.6.20. Keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, overlay visualization, density analysis, and thematic evolution analyses were conducted.

Results:
A total of 305 publications were identified. Scientific production increased substantially after 2021, with the United States contributing the highest number of publications. Animal welfare emerged as a central research theme that is interconnected with sustainability, epidemiology, biosecurity, antimicrobial resistance, consumer acceptance, and PLF. Emerging themes included artificial intelligence, behavioral monitoring, image analysis, bioacoustics, and automated welfare assessment systems. Sustainability- and One Health-related topics also demonstrated increasing prominence, although their integration within the broader poultry welfare research framework remains an emerging area.

Conclusion:
Poultry welfare research is evolving toward integrated, sustainable, and technology-driven approaches. Future studies should strengthen the interdisciplinary integration of animal welfare science, biosecurity, sustainability, PLF, and One Health to support resilient poultry production systems.

Key words: Animal welfare; Bibliometric analysis; Biosecurity; Precision livestock farming; Sustainability.