Incidence Of Foot Lesions Research Articles

How do moisture content, friability, and crust development of litter influence ammonia concentrations in broiler production?

Litter is the main source of ammonia (NH3) in broiler houses. The quality thereof affects the amount of NH3 volatilized and emitted from the broiler house as well as the welfare of the birds. A trial was conducted to determine how the addition of water to broiler litter (by spraying the surface) and raking of the litter or leaving the litter undisturbed will influence NH3 concentrations at litter level, litter composition, bird welfare, and performance under experimental conditions. A total of 2160 Ross 308 male broilers were divided into the following 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates of 60 animals: NR(0) = no raking of the litter, no water added; R(0) = raking of the litter, no water added; NR(1.5) = no raking of the litter, 1.5 L of water added; R(1.5) = raking of the litter, 1.5 L of water added; NR(3.0) = no raking of the litter, 3.0 L of water added; R(3.0) = raking of the litter, 3.0 L of water added. The addition of water and raking of the litter was introduced at 10 d of age, with a frequency of 2 to 3 times per week. At 38 d of age, NH3 concentrations were higher for the raked litter treatments than the treatments which were not raked (P < 0.001). The higher NH3 concentrations of the raked litter treatments coincided with a higher litter pH (P < 0.001) and temperature (P R × W < 0.001) as well as a lower uric acid and total nitrogen (N) concentration in the litter at 37 d of age. The addition of water to the litter resulted in lower litter quality scores at 29 and 37 d of age (P < 0.001) and a higher incidence of foot lesions at 29 (P W = 0.006) and 37 (P R × W = 0.025). Regardless of raking or not raking the litter, addition of moisture to the litter lead to litter of lower quality and subsequent higher incidence of foot lesions in broilers. This study demonstrates that the development of a crust on top of the litter layer reduces the formation and concentration of NH3 volatilized from the litter. Compacted litter resulted in lower NH3 concentrations while friable litter led to more NH3 being volatilized from the litter.

Ammonia concentrations, litter quality, performance and some welfare parameters of broilers kept on different bedding materials

ABSTRACT 1. Litter quality has been related to broiler performance, behaviour, welfare, dust and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Drier litter leads to a reduction in NH3 emissions and reduces the formation of foot- and hock lesions. However, maintaining good litter quality is often challenging. This study investigated the effects of different bedding materials on litter quality and NH3 concentrations at litter level, broiler performance, foot- and hock lesions, plumage cleanliness and breast skin irritation. 2. A total of 2160 Ross 308 male broilers were randomly assigned to 36 floor pens. There were six replications for each of the following six litter treatments: wood shavings, flax, peat, maize silage, chopped wheat straw and flax pellets. 3. For the total period, the highest feed intake and body weight was obtained for broilers housed on peat. The NH3 concentrations measured at litter level was highest for peat and chopped wheat straw at 36 d of age and numerically the lowest for flax at 30 and 36 d of age. Maize silage remained friable, but did not result in lower NH3 concentrations compared to wood shavings. Chopped wheat straw and wood shavings gave rise to the highest incidence of foot lesions at 38 d of age, while broilers kept on flax, peat, maize silage and flax pellets had the lowest incidence of foot lesions at the end of the rearing period. 4. The results of the current study suggest a complicated relationship between the type of bedding material, litter conditions and NH3 volatilised from the litter.

Does feeding more phases reduce ammonia concentrations from broiler litter?

We compared a 3- and 5-phase feeding program in terms of ammonia concentrations measured at litter level, litter composition and quality, nitrogen (N) utilization, performance, welfare, and meat deposition in broilers. A total of 744 Ross 308 male broilers was divided into 2 treatments, each with 6 replicates. The 3-phase diets were formulated to CP and digestible lysine contents of 205 and 11.5 g/kg (0 to 9 d), 195 and 10.8 g/kg (9 to 24 d), and 183.3 and 10.15 g/kg (24 to 39 d), respectively. The 5-phase diets had additional phases from 17 to 24 d and 32 to 39 d with CP and digestible lysine contents of 188 and 10.4 g/kg and 177 and 9.8 g/kg, respectively. Feeding 5 phases reduced the NH3 concentrations at litter level by 37.95% and 20.81% at 23 (P < 0.05) and 37 d of age (P < 0.05), respectively. There was a tendency for a lower litter total ammoniacal nitrogen concentration for the 5-phase treatment than the 3-phase treatment at 24 and 39 d of age (P < 0.1 for both). Total N concentration of the litter also tended to be lower for the 5-phase treatment at 39 d of age (P < 0.1). The lower NH3 coincided with a lower average litter pH at 24 and 32 d of age (P < 0.05 for both). Birds fed the 5-phase treatments had a lower incidence of foot lesions at 24 d of age (P < 0.001). Performance as well as carcass yield could be maintained, except for FCR, which was higher for the 5-phase treatment between 17 and 24 d of age and the overall period (P < 0.05 and < 0.001, respectively). The impact of the 5-phase treatment regarding the utilization of N (digestibility, excretion, and retention) was less clear, however the NH3 volatilized from the litter was significantly reduced. Feeding 5 phases may therefore potentially reduce the NH3 emitted from broiler houses which has several environmental and health benefits. Although the 5-phase treatment resulted in a significant decrease in feed efficiency, growth performance and meat deposition were maintained.

Reduction of dietary crude protein and feed form: Impact on broiler litter quality, ammonia concentrations, excreta composition, performance, welfare, and meat quality.

Nitrogen (N) excreted by poultry is converted to ammonia (NH3), presenting an environmental risk and a health risk to the farmer and animals. A study was performed to investigate the effect of reduced CP and feed form on broiler performance and welfare, meat and litter quality, N utilization, and NH3 concentrations at litter level. A total of 2,232 Ross 308 male broilers was divided into 6 treatments and 6 replicates, which was fed diets in both pellet and mash forms with different CP levels of 205.0 g/kg (H, high), 187.5 g/kg (M, intermediate) and 175.0 g/kg (L, low) in the grower phase and 195.0 g/kg (H), 180.0 g/kg (M) and 165.6 g/kg (L) in the finisher phase. Individual amino acids (AA) were supplemented to maintain digestible AA-to-digestible lysine ratios. Decreasing dietary CP content to 187.5 g/kg in the grower phase and 180.0 g/kg in the finisher phase reduced NH3 concentrations at litter level (P < 0.001), but a further reduction in dietary CP had no additional effect. Mash treatments had better litter qualities and lower incidences of foot and hock lesions than pellet treatments at d 38 (P < 0.001). In addition, treatments with reduced CP had lower incidence of foot lesions at d 38 (P < 0.001). Broilers fed pelleted diets had higher ADFI, ADG, and final BW, improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), and heavier carcasses (P < 0.001) than those fed mash diets over a production period of 39 d. Performance could not be maintained when birds were fed L CP pelleted diets. This study demonstrated that, with the supplementation of AA to meet requirements, the concentration of dietary CP can be reduced to 187.5 and 180.0 g/kg in the grower and finisher phases respectively, without impairing broiler performance, meat yield and quality. Mash diets were favorable when considering the overall litter quality and welfare of the birds. However, they could not maintain the same broiler performance and slaughter yield as pelleted diets. Results from the present study may assist the poultry sector towards a socially acceptable low-emission farming system.

The effect of an educational program using a group-based workshop to improve long-term care adherence in diabetic patients at risk of foot lesions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led educational intervention using group-based workshops in terms of changes in diabetic patient knowledge and skills to prevent foot lesions in 59 diabetic patients at risk of foot ulcers. The program focused on preventive care issues: shoes, foot inspection, nail cutting, hygiene, and general care of foot ulcers. After the educational intervention, mean care score increased significantly (40 ± 7 out of 50 points) compared with pre-workshop scores (25 ± 11; P < .001). No clinically relevant lesions were detected during follow up, and the incidence of foot lesions was lower compared with pre-workshop [20/59 (33.9%) vs. 11/59 (18.6%); P = .03]. In conclusion, group-based workshop education on the diabetic foot improves care skills and decreases the long-term incidence of foot lesions.

Analysis of foot health records from 17 confinement dairies

Foot health records are useful in monitoring the degree of lameness within dairy herds and, perhaps more importantly, providing insight into the underlying factors causing lameness. A database containing the incidence of foot lesions on large confinement dairy operations is largely unavailable but could prove useful to demonstrate the importance of collecting and analyzing foot lesion data to reduce lameness. Our objective was to merge foot lesion records from several dairy herds and establish a database to demonstrate how to use such data to better understand when and why foot lesions occur as an important means to manage lameness in dairy herds. The database consisted of 12mo of records from 17 dairies (14 freestall, 1 combination dirt lot and freestall, 2 dirt lot) representing 58,155 cows from herds ranging in size from 631 to 9,355 animals in 9 states from the United States and 2 herds located in the Southern Hemisphere. Data were partitioned and analyzed as 2 separate data sets: (1) herds recording only lame events (cows lame when examined; n=8), and (2) herds recording both lame and routine trim events (n=9). Data were analyzed using PROC FREQ (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and significance was determined using Chi-square. White line disease, sole ulcer, toe ulcer, digital dermatitis, and foot rot comprised 93 and 40% (excluding routine trim with no lesion, 55%) of lesions for herds recording only lame events and those recording lame and trim events, respectively. Ratio of infectious to noninfectious lesions decreased with increasing lactation number in both data sets. Digital dermatitis and foot rot were greatest in the first 60d in milk and differed across lactation number. Noninfectious lesions were greatest following summer heat stress, whereas infectious lesions were greatest during the coolest quarter of the year. In conclusion, analysis of the foot health data from these dairies demonstrates that (1) infectious lesions of the foot skin and soft tissues predominate in early lactation and during cooler months of the year, and (2) noninfectious lesions predominate during the 3mo following summer heat stress and their distribution follows a typical lactation curve.

Sire predicted transmitting ability for conformation and yield traits and previous lactation incidence of foot lesions as risk factors for the incidence of foot lesions in Holstein cows

The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the repeatability of foot lesions [sole ulcers (SU), white line disease (WLD), and digital dermatitis (DD)] across multiple lactations, (2) to evaluate the effect of foot lesions on cow survivability and milk production across multiple lactations, and (3) to investigate the role of sire predicted transmitting ability (PTA) for conformation and production traits as risk factors for the incidence of SU, WLD, and DD. Data were collected from a dairy farm located in Cayuga County, New York. A total of 11,442 cows having first calved during the period from May 13, 2001, to March 26, 2012, were enrolled in the study. Data regarding sire genetic evaluations were obtained from DairyBulls.com (http://www.DairyBulls.com). Lameness was detected and treated and lesions were recorded into a dairy record database (DairyCOMP 305; Valley Agricultural Software, Tulare, CA) by trained farm employees. All demographic, production, and foot lesion data were extracted from DairyCOMP 305 and merged with the sires’ PTA information to form a unique database. Mixed logistic regression, general linear mixed, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the data. Sole ulcers, WLD, and DD incidence was significantly higher for cows affected with SU, WLD, or DD in previous lactations. Cows affected with WLD or DD during the first lactation had significantly higher WLD or DD incidence during the second and the third lactations. Cows affected with SU or WLD during their first lactation had significantly lower milk production during the second lactation and cows diagnosed with SU, WLD, or DD during their second lactation had higher second-lactation mature-equivalent 305-d milk yield. Sire PTA for milk and protein yield were significantly associated with the incidence of SU, WLD, and DD and incidence of SU and WLD, respectively. Sire PTA for several conformation traits were found to be associated with SU, WLD, and DD incidence. Cows that were affected with SU or WLD during their first lactation were at 1.18 or 1.43 higher hazard of culling than unaffected cows, respectively. In summary, we conclude that SU, WLD, and DD are highly repeatable across lactations and that high genetic merit for milk and protein production as well as milk production (phenotype) were significantly associated with higher risk of SU, WLD, and DD. Additionally, sire PTA for several conformation traits were significantly associated with their daughters’ foot lesion incidence.

Outcome of foot examinations in Tanzanian and Swedish diabetic patients, a comparative study

The aim of the current study was to present the outcome of clinical nurse performed foot examinations in a group of Tanzanian diabetic patients and make comparisons with matched Swedish patients. Nurses working with diabetic patients in any country need to be familiar with foot problems in diabetic patients to educate patients about foot care. A comparative study examining diabetic patients in Tanzania and Sweden with a quantitative approach. One hundred and forty-five diabetic patients in each country were examined. They were matched in gender and age. All patients responded verbally to questions about individual foot-care and underwent clinical foot examination concerning existing foot lesions, sensitivity testing using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (5.07) and, vibratory perception using a tuning fork (128 Hz). The Tanzanians had more reported foot problems than the Swedes. The latter reported problems due to poorly fitting footwear whilst the Tanzanians reported pain issues of the feet irrespective of footwear. In the Tanzanian group 37 patients presented with peripheral neuropathy (PN), 13 with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and six had both PN and PVD. In the Swedish group of patients four had PN, three PVD, but none had both PN and PVD. Only 20 Tanzanians reported carrying out self-inspections of their feet, while 103 Swedes reported doing so. Nurse performed foot examinations showed that the Tanzanian diabetic patients in this study had poorer foot status than the Swedish study sample. Knowledge about foot problems in diabetic patients worldwide will hopefully improve education about self foot-care and therefore decrease incidence of foot lesions and other foot problems in this cohort.

The pros and cons of cages

The main advantages of battery cages for laying hens over alternative husbandry systems are (1) increased hygiene resulting in a much lower incidence of diseases in which the infectious agent is spread through the droppings, (2) small group size resulting in a low incidence of social friction, (3) ease of management, (4) absence of litter problems, (5) better working conditions, and (6) a much lower cost of production. The disadvantages are (1) lack of physical and psychological space for the hens, (2) lack of exercise resulting in a higher incidence of metabolic disorders, (3) lack of nesting opportunities resulting in severe frustration for many birds each time an egg is laid, (4) lack of dust bathing opportunities which, although not a severe disadvantage, should still be charged to cages, (5) lack of other behavioural opportunities which again seem not to be a severe disadvantage and which await further elucidation, and (6) a higher incidence of foot lesions.

The Foot at Risk: Identification and Prevention of Skin Breakdown

This article presents the major predisposing factors and measures associated with preventing nosocomial foot lesions. The combination of nursing interventions and the appropriate use of protective devices can markedly reduce the incidence of foot lesions acquired in the hospital. Patient and family education is another important aspect in preventing skin breakdown of the foot at risk.

Effects of supplemental biotin during gestation and lactation on reproductive performance of sows: a cooperative study.

A cooperative experiment to evaluate biotin addition to sow diets was conducted at three research stations using 303 litters. Primiparous and multiparous sows (overall average parity 2.8) were fed a 14% CP corn-soybean meal diet (140 micrograms/kg biotin), with or without supplemental biotin (330 micrograms added biotin per kg feed), throughout gestation and lactation. As many sows as possible were fed their respective diets through three successive parities. During gestation, sows were given from 1.82 to 2.27 kg of feed per day, depending on environmental conditions; during lactation sows had ad libitum access to feed. Supplemental biotin had no effect (P greater than .35) on sow weights at breeding, at d 109 of gestation, at farrowing or at weaning. No differences were found in litter size at birth (P greater than .18), but at d 21 of lactation, sows fed the diet containing supplemental biotin had larger litters than sows fed the unsupplemented diet (9.4 vs 8.7 pigs, respectively; P = .01). Pig weights at birth and d 21 of lactation were not affected (P greater than .20) by dietary treatment. Biotin supplementation did not affect (P greater than .28) the length of the interval from weaning to estrus. No evidence was found that feet cracks or bruises were reduced by biotin supplementation. The results indicate that biotin supplementation of a corn-soybean meal diet during gestation and lactation increased the number of pigs at d 21 of lactation, but it did not decrease the incidence of foot lesions.

Environmental factors associated with lameness in dairy cattle

An epidemiological survey of the incidence of different foot diseases causing lameness was undertaken on 80 French dairy farms between 1979 and 1980. A total of 29.5 cases of lesions per 100 cows was recorded in that period, which represents a higher incidence that of clinical mastitis (20.37). Data concerning the incidence of foot lesions, farm structures, herd management system, feeding and soil characteristics were analysed using the ξ 2 test of independence and one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that a high incidence of infectious and metabolic foot disorders was associated with loose housing, feeding based on maize silage, absence of a footbath, foot trimming and mineral supplementation. A relationship was also observed between articular lesions and grass-silage feeding. Tied-housed cows fed hay were less affected. Regular hoof trimming at pasture and a long time spent checking the animals were found to have a positive effect on foot health. A low incidence of foot disorders was also associated with a larger variety in dietary components. A high incidence of lameness was reported in large herds kept on rough floors.

EFFECT OF FLOOR TYPE ON THE SEVERITY OF FOOT LESIONS AND OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN SWINE

Sixty-seven pigs were weaned at 5 wk of age and assigned to pens with either plastic-coated expanded metal or woven-wire floorings. The feet of each pig were examined at weaning and at the end of a 28-d starter period for soundness. Eleven gilts which had been on plastic-coated flooring and 12 gilts which had been on woven-wire flooring were moved at the end of the starter period to 1.2 × 1.2-m pens with the same floor types. These pigs were fed ad libitum until slaughter at 94 kg bodyweight. At weaning, the incidence of foot lesions was only 7%. Floor type did not have any significant (P &gt; 0.05) effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake or feed:gain ratios of pigs during the starter (8–22 kg), grower (22–55 kg) or finisher (55–94 kg) periods. Foot lesions were most severe (P &lt; 0.01) in starter pigs which were penned on woven-wire flooring. There was also a tendency (P &lt; 0.06) towards more severe hind-toe lesions in 94-kg gilts which were penned on woven-wire flooring. In general, the lateral digits of the feet of these gilts had more severe lesions (P &lt; 0.01) than the medial digits. The severity of osteochondrosis of the condyles of the femur and humerus, of the articular cartilage of the proximal ulna and radius and of the distal ulnar physis were not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) affected by floor type. The influence of floor type on the locomotory system appeared therefore to be confined to local foot abrasions and did not extend to the knee and elbow joints. Key words: Swine, floor, foot, lesion, osteochondrosis

EFFECT OF BIOTIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND FOOT LESIONS IN SWINE

Two experiments, using 237 gilts and primi-parous sows of Lacombe and Yorkshire breeding, were conducted during the winter and summer months to study the effect of biotin supplementation (200 and 300 μg/kg in exps. 1 and 2) of barley-wheat-soy gestation and lactation diets on reproductive performance and incidence of foot lesions in swine. The control and supplemented groups did not significantly differ in weight change during gestation or lactation in either breed. The number of pigs born alive, mean birth weight (kg), 21 -day weight gain (kg) and number of pigs weaned (5 wk) per litter were 9.18, 1.38, 4.15, 8.0 and 8.97, 1.35, 4.14, and 7.6, respectively, for control and supplemented groups and did not differ significantly between treatments. The time to post-weaning estrus was similar (7.62 vs. 7.72 days) for both groups. Also, this interval was not significantly different (8.33 vs. 7.10 days) between Lacombes and Yorkshires. The foot lesions observed in both gilts and sows were composed of vertical and horizontal cracks including hemorrhagic ulcers on the hoof surface. Biotin supplementation did not prevent the incidence of these lesions; however, the severity was slightly decreased and this response was similar in both gilts and sows of both breeds.

Biotin-supplementation of diets; the incidence of foot lesions, and the reproductive performance of sows.

The effect of biotin supplementation of diets for breeding sows was investigated in a herd where the sows exhibited symptoms resembling those of experimentally induced biotin deficiency. Twenty sows received diets supplemented with 250 mcg D-biotin per kg in pregnancy and 150 mcg D-biotin per kg in lactation. Over a six month period the supplemented sows showed a 28 per cent reduction in the number of foot lesions recorded. Twenty-two control sows showed no reduction in foot lesions. Sows on the supplemented diets produced more piglets at birth than controls, but the differences were not significant. However, second parity supplemented sows did produce significantly more live pigs than controls (1-64 +/- 0-77, P less than 0-05). The weaning to remating interval was significantly reduced from 15-31 +/- 2-85 days in the controls to 6-23 +/- 2-85 days in the supplemented sows (P less than 0-05) and the percentage of sows exhibiting oestrus within seven days of weaning was increased from 56 per cent to 89 per cent.