The Relationship between Some Physiological and Morphological Factors and the Lameness of Broiler Chickenstr


AYDIN A.

KAHRAMANMARAS SUTCU IMAM UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCES, cilt.19, sa.3, ss.249-255, 2016 (ESCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2016
  • Dergi Adı: KAHRAMANMARAS SUTCU IMAM UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.249-255
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The reasons for the gait problems in broiler chickens are multiple although weight and growth rateare said to be the main reasons for locomotion problems. In this study, lameness, is thoroughly investigated in relation to the following physiological variables. Between these parameters, weight, blood stress hormone corticosterone and femoral head necrosis had a significant relation with the lameness of the birds. There was a significant and nonlinear relation among the live weight and the lamenessof the birds (p < 0.001). Body weights of different sexes were also significantly different (p < 0.001). Male broilers were heavier than females. Gait scores of different sexes weren't significantly different (p> 0.05). Higher corticosterone concentration in the blood plasma in the birds increased with higher gait scores (p< 0.05). None of the three visual quality variables (hock burns, foot pad lesions and chest dirtiness) showed a significant relation with gait score (p> 0.05). Post slaughter diagnosis for femoral head necrosis revealeda significant relation with lameness (p < 0.001). On the other hand tibial diskondroplaziand lameness relation was not significant (p> 0.05). As can be seen from the results, it is quite difficult to reach a definitive judgment about some physiological and morphological factors are the cause or consequence of lameness in broilers. This cause and effect could indeed be influenced by a number of management practices, influencing litter quality. For this reason, it can be stated that not only one disease, but combination of many factors and diseases play a role in formation and propagation of lameness in broiler houses.