Rate of Growth and Calcification of the Sternum of Male and Female New Hampshire Chickens

Buckner, Gregory D.; Insko, W. M.; Henry, Amanda H.; Wachs, E

doi:10.3382/ps.0270430

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…In addition to this, the late ossification of the caudal tip of the keel bone seems to represent a week spot in relation to the development of the fractures. Apparently, the ossification of the caudal tip of the keel bone (the area where fractures mainly are present) is not completed before the birds are 35-40 weeks old [41,42]. This is at the same time the fractures start to appear (at the age 26 to 30 weeks of age) and where egg production is high, which is a striking coincidence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Pathological characterization of keel bone fractures in laying hens does not support external trauma as the underlying cause

et al. 2020

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Keel bone fractures in laying hens have been described with increasing prevalence from several countries over the last twenty years and are considered one of the greatest welfare problems to the layer industry. In Denmark we have observed fracture prevalence in the range of 53% to 100% in flocks from cage-free systems whereas flock prevalences in birds from enriched cages ranged between 50-98%.Previous research have speculated that the underlying reason for the development of keel bone fractures is trauma in relation to impact of the bird with furniture, other equipment etc. However, little evidence of this theory has been provided. Predisposing factors have also been suggested including genetics of the bird, lack of specific feedstuff components, high egg production, management factors and layer fatigue.This study has addressed the possible pathogenesis of these fractures by pathological characterization of fractures in birds from different production systems. More than 60 keel bones with fractures have been characterized histo-pathologically and by CT scan. This included an assessment of damage to muscles and soft tissues, the bone and the healing process including callus formation. This investigation has shown that high energy collisions cannot be responsible for the majority of fractures, located at the caudal tip of the keel bone, observed in laying birds as markers associated trauma were not observed in the majority of the cases just as few recognized healing processes were observed. These results suggest an alternative pathogenesis to trauma. OPEN ACCESS Citation: Thøfner I, Hougen HP, Villa C, Lynnerup N, Christensen JP (2020) Pathological characterization of keel bone fractures in laying hens does not support external trauma as the underlying cause. PLoS ONE 15(3): e0229735.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Pathological characterization of keel bone fractures in laying hens does not support external trauma as the underlying cause

et al. 2020

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“…This result suggests that the overall skeletal development of the Avi pullets was slower than that of the Conv pullets; although this hypothesis requires further testing. Buckner et al (1949) described the process of calcification of the keel as a slow progression of ossification from the cranial portion of the keel to the caudal tip of the metasternum, noting that calcification of the caudal tip was not complete until 28 to 40 wk of age, long after structural growth of the long bones is complete. The percentage of cartilage present in the current study at 16 wk of age was similar for both rearing treatments to the cartilage percentage reported by Buckner et al (1949) for wk 22 to 26, although direct comparison is difficult due to the lack of thoroughly described anatomical marker measurement details within that study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities for exercise during pullet rearing, Part I: Effect on the musculoskeletal characteristics of pullets

et al. 2017

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Increased load-bearing exercise improves bone quality characteristics in a variety of species, including laying hens. Providing increased opportunities for exercise during the pullet rearing phase, a period of substantial musculoskeletal growth, offers a proactive approach to reducing osteoporosis by improving bone composition. The main objective of this study was to determine whether differing opportunities for exercise during rearing influences pullet musculoskeletal characteristics. Two flock replicates of 588 Lohmann Selected Leghorn-Lite pullets were reared in either standard, conventional cages (Conv) or an aviary rearing system (Avi) from day-old chicks until 16 wk of age. The keel bone and the muscles and long bones of the wings and legs were collected at 16 wk to measure muscle growth differences between rearing treatments and quantify bone quality characteristics using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and bone breaking strength (BBS) assessment. Keel bone characteristics and muscle weights were adjusted for BW and analyses for QCT and BBS included BW as a covariate. At 16 wk of age, rearing system had an effect on the majority of keel bone characteristics (P < 0.05). The length of the keel metasternum, caudal tip cartilage length, and the overall percentage of cartilage present on the keel at 16 wk was greater in the Avi pullets compared to the Conv pullets (P < 0.01). Wing and breast muscle weights of the Avi pullets were greater than the Conv pullets (P < 0.001), but leg muscle weights were greater in the Conv pullets (P = 0.026). Avi pullets had greater total bone density, total cross-sectional area, cortical cross-sectional area, total bone mineral content, and cortical bone mineral content than Conv pullets for the radius, humerus, and tibia (P < 0.001). Avi pullets had greater BBS compared to the Conv pullets for the radius, humerus, and tibia (P < 0.01). Increased opportunities for exercise offered by the aviary rearing system increased muscle and bone growth characteristics in pullets at 16 wk of age.

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“…Finally, the keel bone may be more susceptible to the effect of early puberty than other bones. The keel ossifies more slowly in comparison with other parts of the sternum, and much of the keel is still cartilaginous when puberty is reached ( Buckner et al., 1948 , 1949 ). The ossification delay may make it more vulnerable to fracture as the physiology of the birds shift to egg laying, resulting in poor calcification of the structure.…”

Section: Additional Explanations For Kbf Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the keel, ossification begins cranially and progresses to the caudal tip ( Buckner et al., 1949 ). The ossification of the caudal part of the keel is likely not completed until 30 to 40 wk of age based on the historical literature of laying hens from the 1940s ( Buckner et al., 1948 , 1949 ), although an examination of tibias in male broiler breeders supports the time frame remains relevant ( Rath et al., 2000 ). To the best of the authors' knowledge, no evidence of longitudinal observations on keel development and bone properties exist.…”

Section: Additional Explanations For Kbf Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Explanations for keel bone fractures in laying hens: are there explanations in addition to elevated egg production?

et al. 2020

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The current article served to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the causes of keel bone fracture. Although elevated and sustained egg production is likely a major contributing factor toward fractures, new information resulting from the development of novel methodologies suggests complementary causes that should be investigated. We identified 4 broad areas that could explain variation and increased fractures independent of or complementing elevated and sustained egg production: the age at first egg, late ossification of the keel, predisposing bone diseases, and inactivity leading to poor bone health. We also specified several topics that future research should target, which include continued efforts to link egg production and bone health, examination of noncommercial aves and traditional breeds, manipulating of age at first egg, a detailed histological and structural analysis of the keel, assessment of prefracture bone condition, and the relationship between individual activity patterns and bone health.

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Rate of Growth and Calcification of the Sternum of Male and Female New Hampshire Chickens

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Pathological characterization of keel bone fractures in laying hens does not support external trauma as the underlying cause

Pathological characterization of keel bone fractures in laying hens does not support external trauma as the underlying cause

Opportunities for exercise during pullet rearing, Part I: Effect on the musculoskeletal characteristics of pullets

Explanations for keel bone fractures in laying hens: are there explanations in addition to elevated egg production?

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