Equilibrium condition during locomotion and gait in broiler chickens

The experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating a methodology to estimate the angulation and equilibrium condition, relating them to gait score and the main diseases of the locomotion system in males and females of commercial broiler strains. A completely randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement (2x2) was applied, consisting of two sexes and two genetic strains, with five replicates of 53 chickens each. The following characteristics related to broiler locomotion were studied: gait score (GS); incidence of Valgus (VAL) and Varus (VAR) deformities and of pododermatitis (POD); body angle relative the ground (ANG); equilibrium condition (EC); body weight (BW) and breast weight (BrW); and incidence of femoral degeneration (FD), tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and spondylolisthesis (SPO). GS, and VAL and VAR were assessed inside a broiler house. Birds were then photographed to estimate ANG and EC. Birds were sacrificed at 42 days of age and analyzed for FD, TD, and SPO. Breast percentage was not influenced by sex or strain. Males showed better ANG than females, regardless of strain. Overall, the strains studied showed prostrated EC. The correlation between GS and the evaluated traits was low. There was a moderate to high association between EC and ANG both in males and females. GS showed low correlation with locomotion problems, and therefore, it is a poor indicator of skeletal diseases. On the other hand, the moderate to high correlations of ANG and EC with locomotion problems make them better indicators of bone diseases than gait score, which is possibly more related to EC and body posture than to bone pathologies.

Equilibrium condition during locomotion and gait in broiler chickens

The experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating a methodology to estimate the angulation and equilibrium condition, relating them to gait score and the main diseases of the locomotion system in males and females of commercial broiler strains. A completely randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement (2x2) was applied, consisting of two sexes and two genetic strains, with five replicates of 53 chickens each. The following characteristics related to broiler locomotion were studied: gait score (GS); incidence of Valgus (VAL) and Varus (VAR) deformities and of pododermatitis (POD); body angle relative the ground (ANG); equilibrium condition (EC); body weight (BW) and breast weight (BrW); and incidence of femoral degeneration (FD), tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and spondylolisthesis (SPO). GS, and VAL and VAR were assessed inside a broiler house. Birds were then photographed to estimate ANG and EC. Birds were sacrificed at 42 days of age and analyzed for FD, TD, and SPO. Breast percentage was not influenced by sex or strain. Males showed better ANG than females, regardless of strain. Overall, the strains studied showed prostrated EC. The correlation between GS and the evaluated traits was low. There was a moderate to high association between EC and ANG both in males and females. GS showed low correlation with locomotion problems, and therefore, it is a poor indicator of skeletal diseases. On the other hand, the moderate to high correlations of ANG and EC with locomotion problems make them better indicators of bone diseases than gait score, which is possibly more related to EC and body posture than to bone pathologies.(AU)

Photogrammetry: a non-invasive and objective method for detecting locomotion problems in broiler chickens

Locomotion problems in broiler chickens can cause economic losses of up to 40% of the total revenues due to carcass condemnation and downgrading at processing. Leg disorders, such as femoral lesions, tibial dyschondroplasia, and spondylolisthesis, substantially impact the welfare of chickens as these disorders can prevent birds from reaching the feeders and drinkers, thus reducing feed and water intake. The most important issues related to broiler welfare reported in the last two decades are their growing sensitivity to metabolic and locomotion problems due to the fast growth rates and inactivity. Traditional methods for the determination of gait score include the manual scoring of animal behavior in the broiler house. Recorded video images can also be used for manual scoring of chicken gait score. However, scoring of some animal-based information by human experts and manual methods remain difficult, time consuming and expensive when implemented at farm level. In an effort to objectively detect leg disorders, this study aimed at validating the photogrammetry technique as a non-invasive method for identifying locomotion problems in broilers. Photogrammetry allows determining the geometric properties of broilers from digital photos that are processed and analyzed using a computer software. Results obtained using photogrammetry were tested for their correlation with those obtained by accepted methodologies, including gait score and macroscopic examination of femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia. The photogrammetry results agreed with the results of the afore mentioned accepted methods.

Photogrammetry: a non-invasive and objective method for detecting locomotion problems in broiler chickens

Locomotion problems in broiler chickens can cause economic losses of up to 40% of the total revenues due to carcass condemnation and downgrading at processing. Leg disorders, such as femoral lesions, tibial dyschondroplasia, and spondylolisthesis, substantially impact the welfare of chickens as these disorders can prevent birds from reaching the feeders and drinkers, thus reducing feed and water intake. The most important issues related to broiler welfare reported in the last two decades are their growing sensitivity to metabolic and locomotion problems due to the fast growth rates and inactivity. Traditional methods for the determination of gait score include the manual scoring of animal behavior in the broiler house. Recorded video images can also be used for manual scoring of chicken gait score. However, scoring of some animal-based information by human experts and manual methods remain difficult, time consuming and expensive when implemented at farm level. In an effort to objectively detect leg disorders, this study aimed at validating the photogrammetry technique as a non-invasive method for identifying locomotion problems in broilers. Photogrammetry allows determining the geometric properties of broilers from digital photos that are processed and analyzed using a computer software. Results obtained using photogrammetry were tested for their correlation with those obtained by accepted methodologies, including gait score and macroscopic examination of femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia. The photogrammetry results agreed with the results of the afore mentioned accepted methods.(AU)

Impacto de diferentes composições de cama em problemas locomotores de frango de corte

O presente estudo foi conduzido para examinar a ocorrência e desenvolvimento de lesões no sistema locomotor de frangos de corte criados sobre diferentes materiais de cama com diferentes níveis de inclusão de gramíneas da espécie Esmeralda (Zoysia Japonica), e seu impacto no bem-estar dessas aves. O experimento foi conduzido no aviário experimental de frango de corte da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Foram alojados 1080 pintos machos de um dia, da linhagem Cobb 500®. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado,em arranjo fatorial 3 x 2: três níveis de inclusão gramínea e dois materiais de cama, com seis repetições cada, totalizando 36 boxes, com 30 aves cada. Foram avaliados os tratamentos: tratamento 1: 100% maravalha, tratamento 2: 100% casca de arroz,tratamento 3: 25% de gramínea e 75% de maravalha, tratamento 4: 25% de gramínea e 75% de casca de arroz, tratamento 5: 50% de gramínea e 50% de maravalha, tratamento 6: 50% de gramínea e 50% casca de arroz. Aos 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de idade todas as aves foram pesadas e avaliadas em ambas as patas para pododermatite. Dez aves de cada repetição foram selecionadas, identificadas e avaliadas semanalmente a partir dos 21 dias,por meio das metodologias de Gait Score e latency to lie, bem como avaliada angulação de patas (valgus e varus). Após abate aos 43 dias foi realizada avaliação macroscópica de degeneração femoral e discondroplasia tibial de ambas as patas. As carcaças foram serradas para avaliação de espondilolistese. As diferentes composições de cama não afetaram o bem-estar das aves, nem a ocorrência ou desenvolvimento das patologias discondroplasia tibial e espondilolistese. Os resultados apresentados nas avaliações de pododermatite sugerem que, com maiores inclusões de gramínea, maiores são os escores das lesões podais. A inclusão do material alternativo, gramínea Zoysia Japonica, a maravalha como material de cama é recomendada para frango precoce, por um lote.

The present study was conducted to examine and develop lesions in the broilers locomotor system on different bedding materials with different levels of inclusion of Esmeralda grasses (Zoysia Japonica) and their impact on bird welfare. The experiment was conducted in the experimental poultry aviary at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Grande Dourados. 1080 day-old chicks of the Cobb 500® strain were allocated. The design used was the randomized, in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement: three levels of grammatical inclusion and two bedding materials, with six repetitions each, totaling 36 boxes, with 30 birds each. The following treatments were applied: treatment 1: 100% shavings, treatment 2: 100% rice husk, treatment 3: 25% grass and 75% shavings, treatment 4: 25% grass and 75% rice husk, treatment 5: 50% grass and 50% shavings, treatment 6: 50% grass and 50% rice husk. At 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age, all birds were weighed and evaluated on both feet for pododermatite. Ten birds from each repetition were selected, identified and evaluated weekly after 21 days, using Gait Score and latency to lie methodologies, as well as angular paw evaluation (valgus and varus). After a 43-day slaughter, a macroscopic assessment of femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia of both paws was performed. As carcasses were sawn for the evaluation of spondylolisthesis. As different compositions of unaffected litter or bird welfare, neither the occurrence nor the development of pathologies of tibial and spondylolisthesis disconnection. The results presented in the analysis of pododermatitis suggest, with greater grammatical inclusions, the higher the scores of the foot lesions. An inclusion of the alternative material, Japanese grammar Zoysia, a wonder how the bedding material is recommended for early chicken, by a lot.

Problemas locomotores em frangos de corte em diferentes sistemas de produção

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a incidência de gait score e espondilolistese, temperatura superficial do peito de frangos de corte criados em camas reutilizadas em dois tipos de aviários de pressão negativa (dark house e túnel). O experimento foi conduzido em dois aviários comerciais na região de Itaquiraí MS, durante os meses de maio a junho. As aves foram alojadas em lotes mistos, em densidade média de 14 aves/m2, em cama de maravalha de sétima utilização. Foram avaliados o ambiente térmico, a qualidade da cama, o gait score, a temperatura superficial do peito e a espondilolistese aos 42 dias de idade de aves mistas. Para a análise do ambiente térmico (temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar) foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com duas instalações de pressão negativa: dark house e túnel x 12 repetições, totalizando 24 unidades experimentais. Para a avaliação da qualidade de cama foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dois tipos de instalações de pressão negativa (dark house e tipo túnel) x 12 repetições, totalizando 24 unidades experimentais. Para a avaliação da temperatura superficial do peito das aves e do gait score foram utilizados o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial duplo 2x2 (duas instalações de pressão negativa: dark house e túnel x sexo: macho e fêmea) com 24 retições, totalizando 96 unidades experimentais. Com objetivo de verificar se o tipo de instalação e o sexo estão associados à ocorrência de lesões nas aves (gait score e espondilolistese) na ultima fase de criação foram analisadas por regressão logística: razão de chance (odds ratio) e risco relativo (risk ratio). As comparações de médias entre os fatores foram realizadas por Teste de Tukey com nível de 5% de significância. E 95% de confiança para as incidências de lesão nas aves (gait score e espondilolistese). Os resultados do ambiente térmico diferiram (p<0,05) entre as instalações dark house e o tipo túnel, as médias de temperatura (TA 26,70 °C) e da umidade relativa do ar (UR 81,94 %) foram maiores para o sistema tipo túnel comparados ao sistema dark house. As médias da temperatura e umidade relativa da cama não diferiram (p>0,05) para o dark house e o tipo túnel, mas o pH foi superior (p<0,05) para o sistema dark house com 8,59 comparado ao sistema tipo túnel com 7,93. No aviário tipo túnel, comparando macho x fêmea, obteve-se efeito significativo (p<0.05) da incapacidade de locomoção das aves associada ao tipo de instalação que as aves foram criadas. A razão de chances (3,80) de as aves apresentarem incapacidade de locomoção foi de 280% maior para os machos em relação as fêmeas e o risco relativo (1,58) foi de 58% maior, isto significa que há forte associação entre o sexo das aves e a incapacidade locomotora no sistema tipo túnel na ultima fase de criação. Para o fator instalações, o sistema tipo túnel apresentou médias de temperatura superficial de 36, 61°C comparado ao sistema dark house que apresentou média de 35,80°C indicando diferença (p<0,05) com temperatura superior para o dark house. Os resultados de Odds Ratio (OR = 1,0) e Risk Ratio (RR = 1.0) para as avaliações de espondilolistese por meio da análise da integridade das vértebras não foram significativas (p>0,05) indicando que não há associação ao sexo das aves ou tipo de instalações. O ambiente térmico e a qualidade da cama apresentaram maiores médias de temperatura do ar e ph da cama para o sistema tipo túnel. Os resultados indicam evidências significativas de associação entre as aves macho, o sistema tipo túnel e a incapacidade de locomoção, com gait score entre 1 e 5 nos frangos aos 42 dias de idade. A média da temperatura superficial do peito foi superior nas aves do sistema tipo túnel.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the gait score and spondylolisthesis incidences, as well as the surface temperature of broiler breast created in re-build litter in two types of negative pressure facilities (dark house and tunnel). The experiment was conducted in two commercial broiler houses in Itaquiraí MS county in may and june. The birds were housed in mixed batches in litter rebuild (seven uses) made by shavings wood, with birds density of 14 birds m-2. The study evaluated the thermal environment conditions, the litter quality, the gait score of birds, the surface temperature of the breast and spondylolisthesis at birds with 42 days old. The analysis of the thermal environment conditions (temperature and relative humidity) and the litter quality was performed by completely randomized design with two facilities: dark house and tunnel x 12 repetitions. The analysis of the surface temperature of the birds breast and the gait score were performed by completely randomized design in double factorial 2x2 (two facilities - dark house and tunnel x sex - male and female) with 24 repetitions. In order to verify that the ventilation system type and sex are associated with the occurrence of injuries in birds in the last building phase were analyzed by logistic regression: odds ratio and risk ratio. The mean comparisons were performed by Tukey test with 5% level of significance, and 95% confidence for the injury incidence in birds (gait score and spondylolisthesis). The values of thermal environment were higher in tunnel ventilation facility (p <0.05). The thermal conditions showed similar in the both facilities (p> 0.05), while the litter pH was most basic for the dark house (p <0.05). Tunnel ventilation facility presented interaction between the sex of birds and locomotor disability (p <0.05). The surface temperature of the breast of the birds was higher in dark house facility (p <0.05). There is a strong association between sex of birds and locomotor disability type in the tunnel ventilation system. The results of Odds Ratio and Risk Ratio indicated that there is no association with sex of birds or type of facilities (p> 0.05). The thermal environment and the litter quality presents higher average air temperature and litter pH for the system type tunnel. In short, the facilities type and sex affected the walking ability of birds.

GAIT SCORE, QUALIDADE ÓSSEA E BEM-ESTAR DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

Estudos que busquem aprofundar o conhecimento sobre distúrbios locomotores na avicultura atual são fundamentais, pois tentam reduzir perdas produtivas e aprimorar o produto final. Neste experimento objetivou-se avaliar a habilidade de caminhar e parâmetros de qualidade óssea em frangos de corte de diferentes linhagens com diferentes gait score (GS). Para isto, 2400 aves foram criadas até os 42 dias de idade. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) alocado em esquema fatorial 2x2 (duas linhagens e dois sexos). Com 40 dias 100% das aves foram avaliadas para GS, sendo selecionadas 36 de linhagem Cobb®500 e 36 de linhagem Ross®308 para análises de velocidade ao caminhar e qualidade óssea. Estas aves foram abatidas por metodologia semelhante à comercial e o peso corporal ao abate, GS, velocidade ao caminhar, espondilolistese, resistência óssea, índice Seedor, síndrome do osso negro foram mensurados. Os dados referentes ao peso corporal pré-abate, velocidade ao 18 caminhar, resistência óssea e índice Seedor foram avaliados por ANOVA e suas médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey com 5 % de significância. Os achados de GS foram analisados com auxílio do teste Qui quadrado com 5 % de significância. Os dados de espondilolistese e síndrome do osso negro foram avaliados através do teste de Fisher com 5% de significância. Fêmeas apresentaram melhor locomoção que machos. Parâmetros ósseos avaliados não se mostraram diferentes em função do gait score, sexo e linhagem. Ossos de frangos de corte machos foram mais resistentes que de fêmeas.

Studies that seek to deepen their knowledge of locomotor disorders in the current poultry are key, as they try to reduce production losses and improve the final product. In this experiment aimed to evaluate the ability to walk and parameters of bone quality in broilers of different strains with different gait score (GS). To this, 2400 birds were reared until 42 days of age. The design was completely randomized (DIC) allocated in 2x2 factorial design (two strains and sexes). 40 days 100% of the birds were evaluated for GS, and selected of Cobb®500 lineage and 36 Ross®308 line for speed analysis while walking and bone quality. These birds were slaughtered by methods similar to commercial and body weight at slaughter, GS, walking speed, spondylolisthesis, bone strength, Seedor index, the black bone syndrome were measured. The data relating to body weight before slaughter, walking speed, bone strength and Seedor index were evaluated by ANOVA and the means compared by Tukey test at 5% 44 significance level. The GS findings were analyzed using the chi-square test with 5% significance. The spondylolisthesis data and black bone syndrome were evaluated using Fisher's test with 5% significance. Females had better mobility than males. Bony parameters evaluated did not differ depending on the gait score, gender and lineage. Bones of male broilers were tougher than females.

Selecting appropriate bedding to reduce locomotion problems in broilers

Two experiments were carried out at the Poultry Sector of the School of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Grande Dourados to evaluate the incidence of leg problems in broilers reared on two distinct types of bedding material: rice husks or wood shavings, both new and reused. In both trials, a randomized experimental design was applied in factorial arrangement (2 x 2 x 2) using two genetic strains (Cobb® or Ross®); two sexes (male or female), and two litter materials (rice husks or wood shavings). In each trial 1080 one day pullets were reared equally divided in the treatments. The birds were placed in 4.5 m² boxes at a density of 10 birds m-2. All birds were fed diets with equal nutritional density, and water was offered ad libitum. Feeds were divided in three phases: starter diet (1 - 21 days), grower diet (22 - 35 days), and finisher diet (36 - 45 days). On day 45, fifty birds were randomly selected in each experiment to evaluate flock leg problems. The following parameters were analyzed: gait score, incidence of valgus and varus disorder, footpad dermatitis, femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, and spondylolisthesis. Ambient temperature during rearing and litter caking and moisture content were recorded in four boxes per treatment. The analytical hierarchy process was used to organize the data into specific criteria. Several criteria, related to the attributes that were determinant according to the statistical analysis, were chosen in order to provide the best input to the process. Results indicated that new wood-shavings bedding was the most appropriate bedding to prevent locomotion problems, followed by new rice husks, reused wood shavings, and reused rice husks. However, when leg problems were associated to sex and genetic strain, male Ross birds strain presented less problems when reared on new rice husks, followed by new wood shavings

Selecting appropriate bedding to reduce locomotion problems in broilers

Two experiments were carried out at the Poultry Sector of the School of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Grande Dourados to evaluate the incidence of leg problems in broilers reared on two distinct types of bedding material: rice husks or wood shavings, both new and reused. In both trials, a randomized experimental design was applied in factorial arrangement (2 x 2 x 2) using two genetic strains (Cobb® or Ross®); two sexes (male or female), and two litter materials (rice husks or wood shavings). In each trial 1080 one day pullets were reared equally divided in the treatments. The birds were placed in 4.5 m² boxes at a density of 10 birds m-2. All birds were fed diets with equal nutritional density, and water was offered ad libitum. Feeds were divided in three phases: starter diet (1 - 21 days), grower diet (22 - 35 days), and finisher diet (36 - 45 days). On day 45, fifty birds were randomly selected in each experiment to evaluate flock leg problems. The following parameters were analyzed: gait score, incidence of valgus and varus disorder, footpad dermatitis, femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, and spondylolisthesis. Ambient temperature during rearing and litter caking and moisture content were recorded in four boxes per treatment. The analytical hierarchy process was used to organize the data into specific criteria. Several criteria, related to the attributes that were determinant according to the statistical analysis, were chosen in order to provide the best input to the process. Results indicated that new wood-shavings bedding was the most appropriate bedding to prevent locomotion problems, followed by new rice husks, reused wood shavings, and reused rice husks. However, when leg problems were associated to sex and genetic strain, male Ross birds strain presented less problems when reared on new rice husks, followed by new wood shavings

Espondilolistese em frango de corte no Brasil / Spondylolisthesis ("Kinky Back") in broiler chickens in Brazil

Eight 28-day-old broiler chickens of both sexes were examined. Clinical signs, gross findings, radiological, and histopathological changes were described. Spondylolisthesis was characterized by dorsal displacement of the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebrae, resulting in compression of the spinal cord. The major clinical manifestation was paraplegia. Risk factors such as genetics, nutrition, stress, rate of growth, and age were discussed.(AU)