Locomotion problems of broiler chickens and its relationship with the gait score

Barbara Cristina Da Silva Fernandes,Elisane Lenita Milbradt,Bruna Boaro Martins,Ariel Antonio Mendes,Ibiara Correia De Lima Almeida Paz,Claudia Marie Komiyama,Márcia Regina Fernandes Boaro Martins

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000800021

Barbara Cristina Da Silva Fernandes, Elisane Lenita Milbradt + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982012000800021

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the ability to walk (gait score), incidence of femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, valgus and varus deformity and leg symmetry of broiler chickens. Male chickens of the Cobb strain from a commercial poultry farm were utilized in this experiment. Fifty 35 and 42-day-old birds were evaluated according to the gait score and valgus or varus incidence. To assess the bilateral symmetry and the lesion score for femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia, broilers were weighed and euthanized for the removal of the femur and tibia of both legs. The lesion scores for femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia, varus or valgus deformity, bone symmetry and gait scores of the chickens were then correlated. It was found that weight, age and the incidence of femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia are not always correlated with the gait score and that only valgus deformity is more correlated.

Highlights

The prevalence of locomotion problems in broiler chickens of rapid growth has become a major concern in the poultry market, especially the export market, due to the poor performance of birds and slaughterhouse losses, and to the detriment of animal welfare (Almeida Paz et al, 2010).There are many ways to assess locomotion problems in broilers
The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the ability to walk, incidence of femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, valgus and varus deformity and leg symmetry of broiler chickens
The right and left legs of the birds were removed for bilateral symmetry evaluation and lesion scores by femoral degeneration and tibial dyschondroplasia

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of locomotion problems in broiler chickens of rapid growth has become a major concern in the poultry market, especially the export market, due to the poor performance of birds and slaughterhouse losses, and to the detriment of animal welfare (Almeida Paz et al, 2010).There are many ways to assess locomotion problems in broilers. The prevalence of locomotion problems in broiler chickens of rapid growth has become a major concern in the poultry market, especially the export market, due to the poor performance of birds and slaughterhouse losses, and to the detriment of animal welfare (Almeida Paz et al, 2010). The macroscopic examination assesses the accumulation and thickening of cartilage in the region of the epiphyseal growth plate. This is the condition in which a poorly vascularized cartilage mass, causing the region to be demineralized, extends distally from the growth plaque in the proximal epiphysis of the tibia (Tselepis et al, 1996). As for the femoral degeneration, the macroscopic examination is based on the integrity of the articular cartilage of the proximal femoral epiphysis

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