Leg Problems Research Articles

MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE FARMING OSTRICH

it in a commercial environment. This bird is unique, being the largest living bird, measuring up to 2.75 m in height and up to 150 kg in mass. The bird is unable to fly, but the structure of the wing bones, the presence of air sacs, some pneumatic bones and presence of the pygostyle, strongly suggest that the ostrich evolved from a flying ancestor. The ostrich spends its time walking around its environment, only running if threatened. These birds can reach the speed of approximately 60–70 km/h. The leg anatomy reflects the walking lifestyle of the ostrich and it has only two toes. Our collection of information started with some particular aspects of ostrich chick biology (chick quality, residual vesica felea, growth rates, mortality, leg problems, post-hatch) having significant impact on the rearing systems employed. This aspect of husbandry is a critical phase of commercial production, was in the past and remains today the cause of significant problems in the majority of countries where ostrich farming is a novel enterprise. There is a wide variety of different rearing conditions, all of which are successful to different extent. As it is common with commercial poultry production, the best results are achieved with the highest quality day-old chicks. In this work the authors try to connect collected information and their personal field experience in rearing 3 months old ostrich chicks from France during quarantine time as well as later, during application of some prophylactic and therapeutic measures including patho-anathomy and laboratory examination.

The effect of stocking density on individual broiler welfare parameters: 2. Different broiler stocking densities

Stocking density is considered one of the most important factors for the welfare of broilers. This paper is continuation of the study in order to obtain full evaluation of the impact of different broiler stocking densities on production performance, condition of the broiler legs and body feathering, as welfare indicators but also indicators of the productivity and quality of produced chickens. The effect of three stocking densities (20, 15 and 10 birds/m2) was investigated in 4 repetitions on broilers of genotype Hubbard at the age of 3 and 6 weeks. At the age of 6 weeks stocking density of 20 birds/m2 resulted in significantly lower growth of broilers, higher mortality and higher incidence of leg lesions and problems with body feathering, compared to stocking densities of 15 and 10 birds/m2.

Tibial Dyschondroplasia–Associated Proteomic Changes in Chicken Growth Plate Cartilage

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a poultry leg problem that affects the proximal growth plate of the tibia, preventing its transition to bone. To understand the disease-induced proteomic changes, we compared the protein extracts of cartilage from normal and TD-affected growth plates. TD was induced by feeding thiram to chickens 2 wk before tissue harvest. Proteins were extracted from whole tissues and from conditioned media (CM) prepared by incubating appropriate growth plate tissues in serum-free culture medium for 48 hr. The extracts were prefractionated to contain proteins ranging between 10 and 100 kD. Equal amounts of proteins were subjected to 2D gel electrophoresis with three individual samples per group. The gels were silver stained, and digital images were compared and analyzed with Melanie software to determine differentially expressed protein spots. On comparison of two sets of gels, 47 matching spots were detected in tissue extracts and 27 in CM extracts. Among the matching spots, 12 were determined to be down-regulated in tissue extracts (P < or = 0.05) and two in CM extracts (P < or = 0.05) of TD-affected growth plates. Altogether, 32 protein spots could be identified in both tissue and CM extracts by in-gel trypsin digestion, followed by peptide mass fingerprinting and mass spectrometry (MS)/MS fragmentation. The down-regulated proteins included alpha-enolase, G protein, origin recognition complex, peptidyl prolyl isomerase, calumenin, type II collagen precursor, and the expressed sequence tag pgm2n.pk014.f20, a protein with homology to human reticulocalbin-3 (RCN3). Most of the downregulated proteins are associated with signal transduction, energy metabolism, and secretory functions that are integral to cell viability. Consistent with our earlier findings that the TD chondrocytes are nonviable, the current results suggest that thiram very likely interferes with basic metabolic functions of chondrocytes, leading to their death and, consequently, to the pathogenesis of TD.

A Randomized Phase III Trial of Thalidomide and Prednisone as Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) In Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM): The NCIC CTG MY.10 Trial

AbstractAbstract 39Three randomized trials have previously reported a progression-free survival (PFS) advantage for patients receiving thalidomide (T) maintenance post ASCT in MM. Two trials reported an overall survival (OS) advantage but the largest trial reported shows no OS advantage and in very high risk MM the use of T was deleterious. Recent trial reports demonstrate a PFS but not yet an OS advantage for patients receiving maintenance lenalidomide. We report results of NCIC CTG MY.10 which compared treatment with T (200 mg daily) and prednisone (50 mg alternate days) (T/P) until progression versus observation alone when used as maintenance therapy following ASCT. Importantly, OS was the 1ry endpoint of this study, 2ry endpoints were PFS, quality of life (QoL), toxicity, and the incidence of venous thromboembolism events (VTE). Eligibility:Patients with MM who had ASCT within 1 year of beginning initial treatment for their disease. Patients were randomized 60–100 days post ASCT and had no other medical condition precluding long term use of T/P. Results:332 patients were enrolled. Median age was 58 years and the arms were balanced. Patients were stratified by age (<60 or >60), and CR status post transplant. Median follow up is 4 years. Only 14% of patients were in CR post transplant. 111 patients died (50 versus 61 in T/P vs. observation). The median OS was 5 years for observation, and has not yet been reached for T/P, however T/P maintenance therapy did not significantly prolong OS: p = 0.18, HR of maintenance vs. observation 0.77 (95% CI 0.53–1.13). The 4 year survival rate was 68% for T/P and 60% for observation. Age and response to transplant had no significant association with OS (p=0.21), while higher disease stage was associated with shorter OS (p=0.03). The median PFS was 28 months for T/P versus 17 months for observation: p<0.0001, HR of T/P vs. observation 0.56 (95% CI 0.43 – 0.73). The 4 year PFS rate was 32% for T/P treated patients versus 14% for patients on observation. At relapse, treatment by arm (T/P vs observation) included lenalidomide (39 vs 34%), T (13 vs 22%) or bortezomib (50 versus 46%).Non hematologic toxicities were seen in more patients with treatment (Grade 3: 92% T/P vs 49% observation, grade 4: 16% vs 7%). Common toxicities of all grades that were significantly higher in T/P treated patients included hyperglycemia, edema, hypertension, fatigue, Cushingoid appearance, constipation, mouth dryness, dyspepsia, anxiety, memory loss, sensory neuropathy, tremor, blurred vision, depressed consciousness, cataracts, dyspnea and bruising. 7% of patients on maintenance T/P developed a VTE in the absence of prophylaxis versus 0% on observation. NCIC CTG standardized response analysis was use to compare QoL data between the 2 treatment arms. Overall, patients on T/P had worse QoL specifically in physical (p=0.07), role (p=0.08), cognitive (p = 0.01) and global (p=0.06) domains, and worse symptoms with dyspnea (p = 0.0007), constipation (p<0.0001), thirst (p=0.003), swelling in leg (p=0.03), numbness (p=0.02), dry mouth (p<0.0001), and balance problems (p<0.0001). However, patients on T/P reported improvement in appetite (p 0.02), and sleep (p=0.04). Conclusions:T/P maintenance did not improve overall survival, the primary objective of this trial, although a trend in favor of T/P was seen. In contrast, PFS was significantly improved in the T/P arm while toxicity was demonstrably increased and quality of life diminished. Disclosures:Stewart:Millennium: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria. Trudel:Celgene: Honoraria. Bahlis:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. White:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Meyer:Celgene: Honoraria.

Selecting appropriate bedding to reduce locomotion problems in broilers

Two experiments were carried out at the Poultry Sector of the School of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Grande Dourados to evaluate the incidence of leg problems in broilers reared on two distinct types of bedding material: rice husks or wood shavings, both new and reused. In both trials, a randomized experimental design was applied in factorial arrangement (2 x 2 x 2) using two genetic strains (Cobb® or Ross®); two sexes (male or female), and two litter materials (rice husks or wood shavings). In each trial 1080 one day pullets were reared equally divided in the treatments. The birds were placed in 4.5 m² boxes at a density of 10 birds m-2. All birds were fed diets with equal nutritional density, and water was offered ad libitum. Feeds were divided in three phases: starter diet (1 - 21 days), grower diet (22 - 35 days), and finisher diet (36 - 45 days). On day 45, fifty birds were randomly selected in each experiment to evaluate flock leg problems. The following parameters were analyzed: gait score, incidence of valgus and varus disorder, footpad dermatitis, femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, and spondylolisthesis. Ambient temperature during rearing and litter caking and moisture content were recorded in four boxes per treatment. The analytical hierarchy process was used to organize the data into specific criteria. Several criteria, related to the attributes that were determinant according to the statistical analysis, were chosen in order to provide the best input to the process. Results indicated that new wood-shavings bedding was the most appropriate bedding to prevent locomotion problems, followed by new rice husks, reused wood shavings, and reused rice husks. However, when leg problems were associated to sex and genetic strain, male Ross birds strain presented less problems when reared on new rice husks, followed by new wood shavings

Dietary amino acid levels and feed restriction affect small intestinal development, mortality, and weight gain of male broilers

This study investigated the effect of 2 different dietary amino acid treatments and feed restriction in early life versus a control treatment on development of the small intestine segments (weights), mortality, and broiler performance. Each treatment was applied to 6 cages with Ross 308 male broilers and to 6 cages with Cobb 500 male broilers with 24 birds per cage. A control treatment (100% ideal protein) was compared with a treatment with 30% extra ideal protein, a treatment with daily adjustment of the dietary amino acid level and profile, and a feed restriction treatment. The protein treatments were applied from 0 to 14 d of age. The feed restriction was applied from 4 to 21 d of age. Restriction was 15% from d 4 to 14 of age and diminished with equal daily steps thereafter to 5% at 21 d of age. Birds were weighed and dissected for evaluation of small intestine weights at 6, 9, 14, and 36 d of age. Feed intake restriction reduced leg problems in Ross and Cobb broilers. Extra dietary protein reduced leg problems in Ross broilers only. The present experiment does not show that small intestinal weight development is related to mortality. Thirty percent extra dietary ideal protein increased duodenum weight between 6 and 9 d of age. This was not further increased by the daily optimization of the dietary amino acid level and profile. The increased duodenum weights coincided with an improved BW gain. This indicates that duodenum weight may be important in facilitating BW gain in young broilers. Thus, it may be worthwhile to pay more attention to the relation between nutrition and duodenum weight and duodenum function in further studies.

Behaviour, production and health of organically reared fast-growing broilers fed low crude protein diets including different amino acid contents at start

Only fast-growing broilers are available for organic production in Sweden, and due to organic legislations and long rearing periods feed restriction has to be practised. To evaluate the effect on welfare aspects and health, two diets, low in crude protein content, with (LPA) and without amino acid supplements (LP) were fed to 1400 Ross 308 chickens, divided over eight pens in two chicken houses, with access to outdoor pasture. Behavioural observations were conducted at 2, 6 and 10 weeks. In general, birds fed the LP diet used their outdoor pasture more, and showed a higher frequency of behaviours related to feed search, than the LPA birds. The LPA diet resulted in higher live weight, mortality and more leg problems. However, cannibalism outbreaks which are rarely seen in broiler production occurred in the LP birds. This indicates that new problems were introduced that are not beneficial for animal welfare. Furthermore, the behaviour differences related to feed search, changes between behaviours and preening might have indicated a frustration related to the qualitative feed restriction for the chickens given the LP diet.

The impact of genetic selection for increased milk yield on the welfare of dairy cows

AbstractMilk yield per cow has more than doubled in the previous 40 years and many cows now produce more than 20,000 kg of milk per lactation. The increase in production should be viewed with concern because: i) the increase in milk yield has been accompanied by declining fertility, increasing leg and metabolic problems and declining longevity; ii) there are unfavourable genetic correlations between milk yield and fertility, mastitis and other production diseases, indicating that deterioration in fertility and health is largely a consequence of selection for increased milk yield; and iii) high disease incidence, reduced fertility, decreased longevity and modification of normal behaviour are indicative of substantial decline in cow welfare. Improving welfare is important as good welfare is regarded by the public as indicative of sustainable systems and good product quality and may also be economically beneficial. Expansion of the Profitable Lifetime Index used in the UK to include mastitis resistance and fertility could increase economic response to selection by up to 80%, compared with selection for milk production alone. In the last 10 years, several breeding organisations in Europe and North America followed the example of Nordic Countries and have included improving fertility and reducing incidence of mastitis in their breeding objectives, but these efforts are still timid. A multi-trait selection programme in which improving health, fertility and other welfare traits are included in the breeding objective, and appropriately weighted relative to production traits, should be adopted by all breeding organisations motivated in their goal of improving welfare.

763

D-13 Free Communication/Slide - Lower Leg Problems: JUNE 3, 2010 1: 00 PM - 2: 45 PM: ROOM: 336: PDF Only

Flaxseed oil and vitamin K effect on turkey bone mineralization and strength

Domestic turkeys exhibit a high frequency of leg problems associated with rapid growth and heavy bird weight. We hypothesized that administering a diet high in vitamin K and flaxseed oil rich in n‐3 PUFA to turkeys early in development would improve bone strength. One hundred and twenty‐eight male turkeys were assigned to one of four groups in a rank‐stratified design: 1) control diet containing corn oil (n‐3/n‐6 = 0.021) and normal vitamin K levels (menadione sodium bisulfite, 2.2 mg/kg diet); 2) high vitamin K diet containing corn oil and high vitamin K (2.2 g/kg diet); 3) flaxseed oil diet (n‐3/n‐6 = 0.213) containing flaxseed oil and normal levels of vitamin K and; 4) high vitamin K/flaxseed oil diet. Diets were administered 80 days. At days 17, 38, 59 and 80 eight birds from each group were sacrificed. BMC was measured using DXA and bone mineral ash. The mechanical strength of the tibiotarsus was determined using a three‐point bending test. Results indicated flaxseed oil treatment significantly increased ultimate bending strength and modulus of elasticity (Tukey‐Kramer multiple comparison test, p&lt;0.05). Vitamin K significantly reduced the effect of flaxseed oil. The data indicate flaxseed oil may be used to increase bone strength in growing turkeys. Supported by a BYU Mentored Environment Grant.

Physiological limits to growth and the related effects on meat quality

Commercialisation of animal agriculture changed the phenotype and production characteristics of livestock. The sigmoidal growth curve and sequence of physiological events remained virtually unchanged, but the rate and extent of these processes increased remarkably. Physiological limits to growth are apparent in species selected for accelerated growth and production, like stress sensitivity, PSE and DFD syndromes in livestock, double-muscled cattle, the callipage gene in sheep, ascites and associated metabolic defects in broilers, leg problems in layers, abortions in Angora goats, wet carcass syndrome in sheep, and other tissue defects as well as reproductive failure due to interactions between the growth hormone cascade, gonadotrophic axis and endocrine factors that regulate metabolism like thyroxin and leptin. Although, the physiology of animals is generally quite forgiving, there are warning lights on the horizon. The challenge in livestock production should shift towards synchronising the best genotypes in a specific environment with the most appropriate and environmentally acceptable technologies available to produce consistently high quality meat. Manipulation of the quality of animal products through feeding, breeding and physiology will become increasingly important, provided that these technologies are practical, economical and do not detract from the intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of animal products, or any other aspect relating to environmentally acceptable or ethical livestock production.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for shank length and growth at different development stages in chicken

Shank length affects chicken leg health and longer shanks are a source of leg problems in heavy-bodied chickens. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting shank length traits may be of value to genetic improvement of these traits in chickens. A genome scan was conducted on 238 F(2) chickens from a reciprocal cross between the Silky Fowl and the White Plymouth Rock breeds using 125 microsatellite markers to detect static and developmental QTL affecting weekly shank length and growth (from 1 to 12 weeks) in chickens. Static QTL affected shank length from birth to time t, while developmental QTL affected shank growth from time t-1 to time t. Seven static QTL on six chromosomes (GGA2, GGA3, GGA4, GGA7, GGA9 and GGA23) were detected at ages of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12 weeks, and six developmental QTL on five chromosomes (GGA1, GGA2, GGA4, GGA5 and GGA23) were detected for five shank growth periods, weeks 2-3, 4-5, 5-6, 10-11 and 11-12. A static QTL and a developmental QTL (SQSL1 and DQSL2) were identified at GGA2 (between ADL0190 and ADL0152). SQSL1 explained 2.87-5.30% of the phenotypic variation in shank length from 3 to 7 weeks. DQSL2 explained 2.70% of the phenotypic variance of shank growth between 2 and 3 weeks. Two static and two developmental QTL were involved chromosome 4 and chromosome 23. Two chromosomes (GGA7 and GGA9) had static QTL but no developmental QTL and another two chromosomes (GGA1 and GGA5) had developmental QTL but no static QTL. The results of this study show that shank length and shank growth at different developmental stages involve different QTL.

Preliminary genetic analyses of voluntarily supplied disease data in Australian dairy herds

Health disorders data collected from Australian dairy herds were analysed to estimate incidence levels and genetic parameters for some diseases traits and to examine the consequence of selection for Australian profit ranking (the economic index in Australia) and other economic traits on incidence of some diseases. Data on disease problems including udder, leg, reproductive and ‘all disorders’ were extracted from the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme database for cows that calved in 2007 and 2008 and were analysed fitting a linear sire model. The occurrence of disease problems was as high as 0.3 if ‘all disorders’ were put into one group. Five percent of the cows that calved showed leg problems and the incidence of udder problems was ~0.13. The heritability of all disease problems ranged from 0.01 for reproductive problems to 0.03 for udder problems. The results showed that selection on milk yield traits will likely increase the frequency of all health disorders. Although selection on udder depth and somatic cell count helps to mitigate the possible genetic deterioration in udder problems, it is unlikely to avoid it totally. Therefore, more effort to collect and analyse health event data from Australia dairy herds could help to better design genetic and environmental measures to reduce the consequence of health problems.

Differential diagnosis of unpleasant sensations in the legs: Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in a primary care population

Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological condition. We investigated the prevalence of RLS in patients suffering from unpleasant sensations in the legs. Methods We included 16,543 patients consulting one of 312 primary care practices in Germany on November 8, 2007. All patients filled out a self-assessment questionnaire. Patients who reported suffering from unpleasant sensations in the legs were then assessed by the physician. Main outcome measures were the overall prevalence of unpleasant sensations in the legs and the prevalence of RLS; the most common differential diagnoses in the subpopulation suffered from unpleasant leg sensations. Results Out of all participating patients 7704 (46.6%) suffered from unpleasant sensations in the legs and 1758 (10.6%) were diagnosed with RLS according to the four essential clinical criteria. Among patients with unpleasant leg sensations, the prevalence of RLS was considerably higher (22.7%) than in the total population. The most common differential diagnoses were osteoarthritis (21.5%), disc lesion (19.2%), varicose veins (18.8%) and muscle cramps (14.6%). Of the patients with RLS 53.4% had already consulted their physician about their leg problems in the past. Still, only 20.1% of the RLS patients had received the correct diagnosis. Comorbidity rates were significantly increased in RLS patients compared to patients suffering from leg symptoms of other origin. Conclusions This study showed a high prevalence of RLS in primary care patients with unpleasant sensations in the legs. Thus, in patients presenting with these symptoms the diagnosis of RLS should routinely be considered.

Effect of incubation temperatures and chick transportation conditions on bone development and leg health

SUMMARY Bone development can be adversely affected by stressful environmental conditions early in life. One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of low temperature during early incubation, high temperature during late incubation, and transportation conditions from hatchery to the farm on the long bone development and leg health of broilers. Bone development was evaluated at hatch before transportation. Gait scores and leg health disorders were recorded at 41 d of age. Although incubation conditions did not affect chick BW, hot temperatures during late incubation reduced the relative weight of femurs and shanks. At 41 d, males had more leg problems than females. Late high temperature and transportation stress increased the incidence of crooked toes and the percentage of chickens with a gait score of 2. Transportation stress, including elevated temperature, caused a greater incidence of twisted legs. We concluded that low early incubation temperature, high late incubation temperature, and transportation stress can increase the incidence of leg problems in commercial broilers.

Incubation conditions affect leg health in large, high-yield broilers

SUMMARY Leg problems are observed in every flock of broilers, and they occur more frequently in heavy, fast-growing broilers. Factors such as genetics, growth rate, stressors, nutrition, and lighting programs can contribute to and change the prevalence of these problems in broiler production. Our previous research has shown that elevated incubation temperatures and oxygen concentrations below 21% during the last days of embryo development can negatively affect thyroid hormones, relative asymmetry and normal development of leg bones, and development of other tissues and organs that influence leg health and locomotion in broilers. This project evaluated the effects of incubation profiles on leg health of high-yielding broilers at 8 wk of age under commercial conditions. Eggs from the same breeder flocks were incubated in either single-stage or multistage machines. Hatchlings were placed in paired houses on the same farms, and at 56 d of age, leg health was evaluated. There was variability among farms and hatches: leg problems such as footpad dermatitis were more closely related to farm conditions, whereas valgus and especially hock burns were influenced by incubation conditions within each farm. However, this fieldwork demonstrated that proper incubation conditions improve broiler performance, especially in females (1.2%); may reduce leg health problems such as crooked toes; and may even improve locomotion.

Scientific opinion on welfare of dairy cows in relation to behaviour, fear and pain based on a risk assessment with special reference to the impact of housing, feeding, management and genetic selection

Scientific opinion on welfare of dairy cows in relation to behaviour, fear and pain based on a risk assessment with special reference to the impact of housing, feeding, management and genetic selection

Scientific opinion on welfare of dairy cows in relation to leg and locomotion problems based on a risk assessment with special reference to the impact of housing, feeding, management and genetic selection

Scientific opinion on welfare of dairy cows in relation to leg and locomotion problems based on a risk assessment with special reference to the impact of housing, feeding, management and genetic selection

Growth performance and spontaneous bone fracture incidence of turkey toms fed various levels of calcium and nonphytate phosphorus to heavy market weight

This trial evaluated the effects of various dietary calcium and nonphytate phosphorus (nPP) feeding regimens on the growth and bone integrity of Nicholas 700 toms from 2 to 19 wk of age. After a 2-wk common brooding period, 24 to 25 poults/pen were allocated to 8 pens/treatment. Crumbles were fed from 2 to 5 wk of age and pellets were fed from 5 to 19 wk of age in a 3-wk phase program. Dietary calcium was kept at a 1.8:1 ratio with nPP for all diets. Diet 1 (LOW) was formulated to provide NRC recommendations for each phase change, ending with 0.25% nPP from 17 to 19 wk of age. Diet 2 (MED) nPP levels averaged 0.06 percentage units higher than the LOW diet. Diet 3 (HIGH) averaged 0.10 percentage units higher nPP than the MED diet. Diet 4 (VHIGH) averaged 0.10 percentage units higher nPP than the HIGH diet. Body weight was decreased (P < 0.01) by the LOW diet compared with all other treatments throughout the trial. By 8 wk of age, BW was lower (P < 0.001) when the MED diet was fed compared with the HIGH and VHIGH diets. Feed:gain was worsened (P < 0.02) by the LOW diet, compared with the HIGH and VHIGH diets, throughout the entire trial. The incidences of leg problems and spontaneous bone fractures were increased (P = 0.001) when the LOW diet was fed compared with the other diets. The increase in litter phosphorus (P = 0.001) was directly proportional to increases in dietary nPP. The HIGH and VHIGH diets resulted in the best growth performance and skeletal integrity.

The effect of different lightning programs on reproductive performance of native turkeys

Lighting is very important for turkey production, because their life period is longer than poultry (Nixey 1994). One of the important effects of lighting is to change the time of sexual maturity in pullets. Classen et al. (1994) concluded that constant light causes an increase incidence of leg problem and metabolic disorders. With lighting programs and lighting intensity, time of sexual maturation can be modified. Because there is little information about lighting programs in native turkey production in Iran, the aim of this research is determining the best lighting program for native turkey production.