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Pulcini D, Mattioli S, Angelucci E, Chenggang W, Cartoni Mancinelli A, Napolitano R, Sirri F, Piscitelli R, Mugnai C, Castellini C. Shape and fractures of carina sterni in chicken genotypes with different egg deposition rates reared indoor or free-range. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22495. [PMID: 38110659 PMCID: PMC10728074 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49909-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Commercial laying hens have high frequency of damage to the keel bone (KB), which causes negative effects on health and welfare. KB damage may consist in fractures (KBF) and deviations (KBD). The aim of the present study was to compare the KB shape, by means of Geometric Morphometric, and the occurrence of fractures in different chicken genotypes reared either free-range (FR) or in enriched cages. Moreover, the relationship between KB shape, genotype and rearing system was analysed. Sixty birds/genotype (2 Italian local breeds, Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata, their crossbreeds with Sasso and Lohmann Brown) were used. All the hens fed the same commercial feed throughout the trial. Body weight, egg production, feed intake and mortality were recorded from 25 to 66 weeks of age. Ca intake (IN) and output (OUT) were estimated and Ca OUT/IN was calculated. FR affected the occurrence of KB deviations but not the shape, whereas the fractures were mainly affected by genotype. Local breeds had a lower prevalence of KBF with similar level of KBD but with different shapes. Crossbreeds seemed to be a suitable compromise between egg deposition rate and occurrence of KB damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domitilla Pulcini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Animal Production and Aquaculture, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Mattioli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06100, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Elisa Angelucci
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Wei Chenggang
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Napolitano
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Animal Production and Aquaculture, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Raffaela Piscitelli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Mugnai
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Turin, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06100, Perugia, Italy
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Kittelsen KE, Toftaker I, Tahamtani F, Moe RO, Thøfner I, Vasdal G. Keel bone fractures in broiler breeders: is palpation a reliable diagnostic method? Avian Pathol 2023; 52:78-83. [PMID: 36415970 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2022.2147416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of palpation relative to necropsy for detection of keel bone fractures (KBF) in broiler breeders. In addition, the study investigated observer reliability of palpation. Four commercial breeder flocks (Ross 308 n = 2, Ranger Gold n = 1, Hubbard JA 757, n = 1) were included in the study. A total of 400 hens and 60 roosters were examined after culling or slaughter, at end of lay (63 weeks). Keel bones were first palpated independently by two raters with a varying degree of experience in palpation of keel bones in laying hens. After palpation, a necropsy with investigation of the keel bone was conducted. The prevalence of KBF at end of lay for hens, as diagnosed by necropsy, varied from 14-58%, while only one in 60 assessed roosters had KBF. Palpation had poor sensitivity, with differences between raters ranging from 56% to 36% when hybrid is not considered. The specificity of palpation for all hybrids together was 85% and 88%, for the two raters, respectively. The two raters had moderate agreement, Gwet's agreement coefficient (95% confidence interval): 0.60 (0.52-0.69). In conclusion, palpation has poor diagnostic accuracy for detection of KBF in broiler breeders, and other methods, like necropsy, must be applied for reliable assessments. KBF appears to be a prevalent condition in different hybrids of broiler breeder hens, but not in roosters.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS This is the first study to investigate palpation as a diagnostic method for detection of KBF in broiler breeders.Palpation has poor diagnostic accuracy for detection of KBF in broiler breeder hens with differences between raters.KBF can be a prevalent problem in broiler breeder hens of several hybrids, but not in roosters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingrid Toftaker
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU-Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Randi Oppermann Moe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU-Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ida Thøfner
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guro Vasdal
- Animalia- The Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Centre, Oslo, Norway
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Productive performance, perching behavior, keel bone and other health aspects in dual-purpose compared to conventional laying hens. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102095. [PMID: 36095865 PMCID: PMC9472069 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several alternatives to avoid killing male day-old chicks are available. One of these alternatives is to keep dual-purpose chicken strains. The aim of this study was to compare dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD) with conventional laying hens (Lohmann Tradition, LT) in terms of performance, animal welfare parameters such as keel bone state and foot pad dermatitis, and perching behavior. We expected a generally equal or even better performance of the dual-purpose hens except for laying performance. Four hundred female day-old chicks were housed in 6 pens (3 pens per strain) and reared until 54 wk of age. Each pen offered a littered area, elevated slatted manure pit, elevated wooden frame with perches or grids and nest boxes on the manure pit. The wooden frame was alternately equipped with perches or grids. The elevated manure pit as well as the elevated structure was accessible via ramp. Productive performance parameters like mortality, total number of eggs and body weight were assessed periodically. In week 49, 132 hens (66 hens per strain) were randomly selected for radiography of the keel bone and assessment of plumage and foot pad state. Perching behavior was analyzed via scan sampling during rearing and laying period, respectively. Statistical analyzes were done with Linear Mixed Effect Model and General Linear Mixed Model. LD had a higher radiographic density than LT hens (P = 0.0016), other keel bone parameters (fracture score, P = 0.36; deformation, P = 0.83) showed no differences. The vast majority of fractures occurring in both strains were located in the caudal part of the keel bone. During the laying period, usage of elevated structures was higher with grids compared to perches (P < 0.001) and in LD compared to LT (P = 0.01). Some animal welfare problems were less frequent in LD compared to LT hens while other problems did not differ between the 2 strains or were even more frequent in LD hens. Grids may be more suitable as resting area than perches and may possibly help to decrease the prevalence of keel bone damage.
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Herrera-Castillo CM, Geiger M, Núñez-León D, Nagashima H, Gebhardt-Henrich S, Toscano M, Sanchez-Villagra MR. Skeletal variation in bird domestication: limb proportions and sternum in chicken, with comparisons to mallard ducks and Muscovy ducks. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13229. [PMID: 35502208 PMCID: PMC9055999 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Domestication, including selective breeding, can lead to morphological changes of biomechanical relevance. In birds, limb proportions and sternum characteristics are of great importance and have been studied in the past for their relation with flight, terrestrial locomotion and animal welfare. In this work we studied the effects of domestication and breed formation in limb proportions and sternum characteristics in chicken (Gallus gallus), mallard ducks (Anas plathyrhynchos) and Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). Methods First, we quantified the proportional length of three long bones of the forelimb (humerus, radius, and carpometacarpus) and the hind limb (femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus) in domestic chickens, mallard ducks, and Muscovy ducks and their wild counterparts. For this, we took linear measurements of these bones and compared their proportions in the wild vs. the domestic group in each species. In chicken, these comparisons could also be conducted among different breeds. We then evaluated the proportional differences in the context of static and ontogenetic allometry. Further, we compared discrete sternum characteristics in red jungle fowl and chicken breeds. In total, we examined limb bones of 287 specimens and keel bones of 63 specimens. Results We found a lack of significant change in the proportions of limb bones of chicken and Muscovy duck due to domestication, but significant differences in the case of mallard ducks. Variation of evolvability, allometric scaling, and heterochrony may serve to describe some of the patterns of change we report. Flight capacity loss in mallard ducks resulting from domestication may have a relation with the difference in limb proportions. The lack of variation in proportions that could distinguish domestic from wild forms of chicken and Muscovy ducks may reflect no selection for flight capacity during the domestication process in these groups. In chicken, some of the differences identified in the traits discussed are breed-dependent. The study of the sternum revealed that the condition of crooked keel was not unique to domestic chicken, that some sternal characteristics were more frequent in certain chicken breeds than in others, and that overall there were no keel characteristics that are unique for certain chicken breeds. Despite some similar morphological changes identified across species, this study highlights the lack of universal patterns in domestication and breed formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madeleine Geiger
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Núñez-León
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Division of Gross Anatomy and Morphogenesis, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sabine Gebhardt-Henrich
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Toscano
- Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Vasdal G, Gebhardt-Henrich S, Kittelsen KE, Tahamtani FM. Commercial broiler breeder pullet hens use perches but show no preference for perch type or height. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Wei H, Chen Y, Nian H, Wang J, Liu Y, Wang J, Yang K, Zhao Q, Zhang R, Bao J. Abnormal Bone Metabolism May Be a Primary Causative Factor of Keel Bone Fractures in Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113133. [PMID: 34827866 PMCID: PMC8614394 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Keel is an essential structural bone, providing anchorage for the attachment of large breast muscles in birds, allowing them to flap wings and provide proper ventilation for their lungs during flight. Previous studies reported that keel bone damage (especially fractures) negatively affects the welfare, health, production performance, eggshell quality, and mobility of laying hens contained in different housing systems. Furthermore, various factors affect keel bone damage, including nutrition, age, housing systems, and strains of laying hens. However, studies on the effects of abnormal bone metabolism and development on keel bone damage in laying hens are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of bone metabolism and development status on keel bone damage by determining the levels of serum bone turnover markers in laying hens. The results showed that laying hens with impaired keel bone had significantly altered levels of serum Ca and P metabolism-related and osteoblast and osteoclast activity-related markers compared to those in laying hens with normal keel bone. Thus, these results indicated that abnormal bone metabolism before keel bone damage reflected by varying levels of serum bone turnover markers might be a pivotal factor causing keel bone damage in laying hens. Our results also provide new insights into the occurrence of keel bone damage in laying hens. Abstract Keel bone damage negatively affects the welfare, production performance, egg quality, and mobility of laying hens. This study aimed to investigate whether abnormal bone metabolism causes keel bone damage in laying hens. Eighty Hy-line Brown laying hens were housed in eight furnished cages with 10 birds per cage and studied from 18 to 29 weeks of age (WOA). Accordingly, keel bone status was assessed at 18, 22, 25, and 29 WOA using the X-ray method, and the serum samples of laying hens with normal keel (NK), deviated keel (DK), and fractured keel (FK) that occurred at 29 WOA were collected across all the time-points. Subsequently, the serum samples were used to measure markers related to the metabolism of Ca and P and activities of osteoblast and osteoclast. The results showed that FK laying hens had lighter bodyweight than NK and DK birds throughout the trial (p < 0.05), while the keel bone length and weight were not different in NK, DK, and FK hens at 29 WOA (p > 0.05). Moreover, bone hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining indicated that damaged keel bone had evident pathological changes. In the FK hens, serum P level was reduced but serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) levels were elevated compared to NK hens (p < 0.05). Additionally, DK hens had higher levels of serum 1,25-(OH)2D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT), and lower level of serum 25-OHD3 than the NK birds (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), TRAP, and corticosterone (CORT) levels were elevated in DK and FK hens compared to NK hens (p < 0.05). The levels of serum Ca, P, PTH, ALP, TRAP, OPG, OC, and CORT in laying hens fluctuated with the age of the birds. Generally, the results of this study indicate that keel bone damage, especially fractures, could be associated with abnormal bone metabolism in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Yanqing Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Haoyang Nian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Yilin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Jianxing Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Kaiqi Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Qian Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Runxiang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
- Correspondence: (R.Z.); (J.B.)
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (H.W.); (Y.C.); (H.N.); (Y.L.); (K.Y.); (Q.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
- Correspondence: (R.Z.); (J.B.)
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