Characterization of growth performance, meat quality and serum biochemical parameters in chickens suffering from tibial dyschondroplasia

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the clinical manifestations of broilers suffering from tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) on growth performance, drumstick parameters, breast meat quality, and serum biochemical parameters. A total of 200 Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly allocated into two groups: control (basal diet) and TD group (basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg of thiram). Each group consisted of 4 replicates (25 chickens per replicate). The experiment lasted for 14 days. Results showed that TD chickens exhibited abnormal foraging behavior and resting position that caused a reduction in feed intake, daily weight gain and final body weight. Compared with the control group, the weight and length of drumstick in TD chicken group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and its color was pale. Interestingly, drumstick related-parameters were statistically correlated with breast muscle quality in control and TD chickens (p < 0.01). In addition, breast meat quality (assessed by shear force and pH) in TD group chickens was affected. Furthermore, TD chickens had significantly elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartic acid aminotransferase (AST) activities (p < 0.05), but no significant change was observed in serum amylase, triglycerides, and glucose levels (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the TD has adverse effect on the overall growth performance, drumstick parameters, breast meat quality, and some serum biochemical parameters of broilers. Moreover, decreased breast muscle quality was strongly correlated with leg problems in the tibia.