Impact of Selected Factors on the Occurrence of Contact Dermatitis in Turkeys on Commercial Farms in Germany.

Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns,Nina Ziegler,Thomas Bartels,Michael Erhard,Jens Hübel,Heike Mitterer-Istyagin,Shana Bergmann,Karsten Fehlhaber,Martina Ludewig

doi:10.3390/ani3030608

Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns, Nina Ziegler + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani3030608

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Abstract

Simple SummaryIn two extensive field studies in Germany, the influence of husbandry on health and fitness of fattening turkeys was investigated in living animals of various ages as well as carcasses shortly after slaughter. Already in the early rearing phase, contact dermatitis of foot pads was observed as a relevant problem in turkey farming. Litter quality and condition as well as management must be coordinated at all rearing stages of turkeys to prevent the appearance of high litter moisture values in order to minimize the prevalence of foot pad dermatitis.In a long term research project in Germany the influence of husbandry on the health of fattening turkeys (Study 1) as well as the influence of practiced rearing conditions on the health of turkey poults (Study 2) was examined in 24 farms and at the meat processing plant. In all examined rearing farms, litter samples for the determination of litter moisture were taken. This paper summarizes the results obtained by our working group from 2007 until 2012. The results elucidate the universal problem of foot pad dermatitis (FPD). Nearly 100% of the observed turkeys showed a clinically apparent FPD at the meat processing plant. Furthermore, skin lesions of the breast, especially breast buttons were diagnosed, particularly at the slaughterhouse. FPD was detected in the first week of the rearing phase. Prevalence and degree showed a progressive development up to the age of 22–35 days, whereas 63.3% of the poults had foot pad alterations. As even mild alterations in the foot pad condition can be indicators for suboptimal design of the rearing environment, especially high litter moisture, it is important to focus on the early rearing phase.

Highlights

The commercialization of whole carcasses of turkeys does not play a major role in Europe where predominantly either selected parts or already processed meat is put on the market
In cooperation with veterinarians specialized in food hygiene and poultry diseases, epidemiologists, biologists and agricultural scientists, the aim of the study was to analyze the influence of husbandry on animal health and performance of fattening turkeys
Foot pad alterations were evaluated within individuals of all participating farms in terms of hyperkeratosis and epithelial necrosis up to ulcerative pododermatitis (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

The commercialization of whole carcasses of turkeys does not play a major role in Europe where predominantly either selected parts or already processed meat is put on the market. A poor and inadequate flock-management is seen as the main cause for the occurrence of animal welfare relevant skin alterations in fattening turkeys. According to Blaha and Meemken [19] animals reared under apparent ideal husbandry conditions, for example free range or organic farming, can later stand out at the meat processing plant by showing pathological alterations that indicate that the animals were profoundly diseased during lifetime. Blaha and Meemken [19] state that the responsible farm managers play an important role in the flocks’ health status and conclude that the husbandry system-oriented and the animal-oriented welfare needs to be designed. The aim of the five-year research project was to assess the influence of husbandry and practiced rearing conditions on the health of fattening turkeys of both sexes, aged six weeks until slaughter (Study 1) and turkey poults aged three to 35 days until relocation (Study 2). Special focus was set on the prevalence and severity of skin alterations and possible indicators for their appearance

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