Effects of distance and barriers between resources on bone and tendon strength and productive performance of broiler chickens

Abstract

Lameness or leg weakness is becoming an important problem in broilers selected for rapid growth, and although the causes are not known, sedentary behavior could be a cause. Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of distance and the presence of ramps between resources (feed and water) on bone and tendon strength, ability to stand, and productive performance. In experiment 1, straight run Ross 708 chicks (n = 1,260) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1.0, 3.3, or 6.6 m between resources (6 pen replicates/treatment). In experiment 2, Cobb 500 male chicks (n = 864) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (2 × 2 factorial, 4 pen replications/treatment) consisting of 2 distances (3 or 8 m) with (WR) or without (NR) a ramp (a triangular prism 31 cm high and 132 cm wide at the base). At d 21, 45, and 56 (experiment 1), or at d 28, 35, 42, and 49 (experiment 2), birds were weighed, killed, and tibias collected to measure breaking strength (BBS), and abdominal fat (AbF) content. At d 49 (experiment 2), calcaneus tendons were also collected to measure breaking strength (TBS). Foot pad lesions and latency to lie (LTL) were determined before killing the birds. In experiment 1, distance did not affect BBS, LTL, foot pad lesions, or BW, but at d 49, birds in the 6.6 m treatment had lower AbF than birds in the other treatments. In experiment 2 at d 49, birds in the 8 m treatment tended to have a higher BBS than birds in the 3 m treatment (P = 0.09), whereas WR birds had lower tendon breaking strength than NR birds (P < 0.01); however, LTL was highest in 8-m NR birds. Final BW was not affected by distance, but birds in the NR group were heavier than birds in the WR group. Furthermore, AbF was lower in 8 m than in 3 m birds. Our results suggest that longer distances between resources have limited effects on bone strength, but increase the LTL, and may change feeding patterns and carcass characteristics, as evidenced by the lower AbF content. Ramps or inclination affected tendon breaking strength.

Perches and elevated platforms in commercial broiler farms: use and effect on walking ability, incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and bone mineral content

“…Our finding of better walking ability in birds with access to platforms indicates that broilers benefited from the locomotion facilitated by the additional equipment. In fact, walking ability has been shown to be improved by any measures that increase the mobility of broilers such as increased walking distances (Reiter and Bessei, 2009;Ruiz-Feria et al, 2014), lower stocking density (Knowles et al, 2008) or exercise equipment (Bizeray et al, 2002b). Moreover, swapping diets during the day may improve walking ability, probably due to decreased weight gain accompanied by increased activity (Bizeray et al, 2002c).…”

“…Moreover, swapping diets during the day may improve walking ability, probably due to decreased weight gain accompanied by increased activity (Bizeray et al, 2002c). Although increased locomotion improves broiler leg health (Bizeray et al, 2002b;Reiter and Bessei, 2009;Ruiz-Feria et al, 2014), the positive effect of perching on walking ability has not been obvious in a number of earlier studies (Su et al, 2000;Hongchao et al, 2014), presumably because perching has been too scarce. In this study, broilers probably walked longer distances to reach the platforms, offering them additional exercise compared with control flocks, even if the birds aimed to go up to the platforms simply to rest.…”

Behaviour and animal welfare indicators of broiler chickens housed in an enriched environment

“…Recent researches have reported positive effects of increased locomotion on the skeletal development of legs [ 12 , 13 ], which may improve animal welfare indicators. Locomotion can be increased through environmental enrichment using resources such as straw bales and platforms [ 14 – 17 ].…”

“…Some studies evaluating the use of straw bales and platforms have shown increased exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity [ 22 , 24 , 25 ], reduced incidence of pododermatitis [ 24 ], and reduced fear expression [ 26 , 27 ] when compared to animals housed in an environment without any environmental enrichment. However, other studies have not found these effects on exploratory behaviour [ 27 , 28 ] and incidence of pododermatitis [ 13 , 25 , 28 ]. This inconsistency may be related to the model and provision of these resources to animals, leading to different interactions and behaviour responses.…”

Perspectives on the utilization of waste fat from beef cattle and fowl for biodiesel production in Mexico

“…This fat is relatively easy to remove and is usually considered waste. By adding the remaining lipid deposits that can also be waste material or byproducts from cutting chicken (gizzard fat, sartorial, cervical, and mesenteric), the percentage of waste fat reaches 4% live weight . Based on this information, we conservatively assume that 3.5% by weight of the live poultry is composed of discrete adipose tissue, which can be recovered for biodiesel production.…”