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Jones J, Ali A, Harrison C, Rimoldi G. Radiographic, computed tomographic, and histologic characteristics of bone for clinically normal laying hens in a free-range housing system. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2024. [PMID: 39360419 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Laying hens are increasingly being kept in backyard flocks and considered family pets; however, diagnostic imaging characteristics of bone for clinically normal backyard hens are currently limited. This prospective, descriptive study was to describe radiographic, computed tomographic, and histologic characteristics of bone for a group of clinically normal laying hens housed in conditions comparable to those of backyard flocks. Sixteen 60-week-old Lohmann Brown laying hens were included. Hens were housed in a free-range unit with outdoor access at a university research and teaching farm. Hens were defined as clinically normal by the farm manager and a veterinary researcher in laying hen behavior and welfare. Findings from the horizontal beam, left lateral, sternal radiographs (n = 16), postmortem, and whole-body CT scans (n = 4) were recorded by a veterinary radiologist and a research technician. Histologic findings for sternal, femoral, and tibiotarsal bone samples (n = 5) were recorded by a veterinary pathologist. The most frequent radiographic findings for the sternal carina (keel bone) were smoothly marginated concave deviations of the ventral margin and caudal section fractures. Multiple punctate mineral opacities (PMOs) were present in radiographs and CT images for all hens and were involved in the sternal carina and multiple other bones in the axial and appendicular skeleton. No bone abnormalities were identified in any histologic sections where PMOs were radiographically detected. Authors propose that PMOs are normal radiographic and CT findings in the bones of mature, laying hens and may represent temporary calcium reservoirs formed during osteoclastic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeryl Jones
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- South Carolina Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Cerano Harrison
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Guillermo Rimoldi
- Veterinary Diagnostic Center; College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Jung L, Rufener C, Petow S. A tagged visual analog scale is a reliable method to assess keel bone deviations in laying hens from radiographs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:937119. [PMID: 36061110 PMCID: PMC9434373 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.937119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Laying hens often suffer from keel bone damage (KBD) that includes pathologies with different etiologies, like diverse forms of fractures and deviations. Since KBD is a problem in all countries and housing systems, methods for the assessment of deviations are urgently needed. Comparisons between genetic lines and between studies are important to detect underlying mechanisms. Field researchers often use palpation as a low-cost and feasible technique for the assessment of KBD. In contrast to palpation, radiography is effective and highly precise at least in detecting keel bone fractures. The aim of this study was to: i) develop a scoring system to assess keel bone deviations from radiographs, ii) to assess inter- and intra-observer reliability of this scoring system, and iii) to investigate whether fractures and deviations of the keel are correlated. In total, 192 hens were used for the investigation. Digital radiographs were taken and evaluated for all hens after slaughter. We developed a tagged visual analog scale with two extreme images as anchors and four intermediate tags, resulting in six images representing the range from “no deviation” to “highly deviated” on a 10 cm line. Eleven participants scored 50 radiographs of keels with varying degree of severity, whereas five images were scored twice to assess intra-observer reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficient for inter-observer reliability was 0.979 with a confidence interval of 0.968 < ICC < 0.987 (F49,268 = 54.2, p < 0.0001). Intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-observer reliability was 0.831 with a confidence interval of 0.727 < ICC < 0.898 (F54,55 = 10.8, p < 0.0001). Individual intra-observer reliability ranged from 0.6 to 0.949. The Spearman correlation showed a strong positive correlation of fractures and deviations (sroh= 0.803, p < 0.001). The tagged visual analog scale could be a reliable instrument for the scoring of keel bone deviations. Our results support the assumption that the majority of highly deviated keels suffer from fractures as well. Further research is needed to investigate the correlation of palpation scores with the evaluation on radiographs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Jung
- Animal Breeding Section, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
- Lisa Jung
| | - Christina Rufener
- Center for Animal Welfare, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Petow
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany
- *Correspondence: Stefanie Petow
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Examining the catching, carrying, and crating process during depopulation of end-of-lay hens. J APPL POULTRY RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2020.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Rokavec N, Zupan Šemrov M. Psychological and Physiological Stress in Hens With Bone Damage. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:589274. [PMID: 33385015 PMCID: PMC7770218 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.589274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in bone development in humans and non-humans can lead to impaired physical and psychological health; however, evidence is lacking regarding the role of individual psychosocial factors in the development of poor bone conditions. Addressing this lack of knowledge, we used low-productive laying hens (n = 93) and assessed behavioral responses to an open-field test [at 17, 18, 29, 33 weeks of age (wa)], an aerial predator test (at 39 wa), and a social reinstatement test (at 42 wa). Bone condition was assessed using a palpation technique on five occasions (at 16, 29, 33, 45, 58 wa), with half of the hens experiencing damage (deviations, fractures, or both) at 29 wa and all hens by 58 wa. Corticosterone (CORT) concentration in feathers (at 16, 33, 58 wa) and body weight (at 23, 47, 58 wa) were also investigated. We hypothesized that lighter birds (at 23 wa) with higher CORT (at 16 wa) and open field-induced fear collected before the onset of lay (at 17 and 18 wa) are associated with a worse bone condition when in lay. We also hypothesized that those birds with more damage at the peak of laying (at 29 wa) would be lighter at 47 and 58 wa and more fearful by showing higher open field-induced (at 29 and 33 wa) and predator-induced fear responses, however, acting less socially toward conspecifics. These hens were also expected to have higher CORT (at 33 and 58 wa). Our results show no association between open-field fear level and fear behavior, CORT concentration, or body weight on the one hand (all measured before starting to lay) and bone damage at 29 wa on the other. When in lay, bone damage was associated with more pecking and less crossing zones when faced with an open-field situation at 29 wa and improved sociality at 42 wa. This study provides the first evidence of a relationship of bone health with fear, sociality, and stress response. When in poor bone condition, our hens had enhanced psychological stress measured by fear behavior reactivity but not physiological stress measured as feather CORT concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Rokavec
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Manja Zupan Šemrov
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
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Kittelsen KE, Moe RO, Hansen TB, Toftaker I, Christensen JP, Vasdal G. A Descriptive Study of Keel Bone Fractures in Hens and Roosters from Four Non-Commercial Laying Breeds Housed in Furnished Cages. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112192. [PMID: 33238563 PMCID: PMC7700571 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of keel bone fractures (KBF) in laying hens has been documented and discussed by several authors, nevertheless the causative factors behind KBF remain uncertain. High prevalence of KBF have been reported in all commercial egg production systems, in different genetic lines and at different ages. Several of the proposed causal mechanisms behind KBF are linked to selection for efficient production. It is, therefore, of interest to explore whether less selected breeds have a lower occurrence of keel bone fractures compared to reports from highly selected, modern laying hen breeds. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate keel bones of hens from four non-commercial layer breeds. Birds were housed in furnished cages and keel bones examined at 30 and 63 weeks of age, using a portable X-ray equipment. The results from this descriptive study indicate a low prevalence of KBF at both ages in all four breeds, with only five KBF detected in 213 X-ray pictures taken from 126 birds. Of these, four of the KBF were observed in the most genetically selected breed, with an early onset of lay. None of the roosters examined exhibited KBF. The overall low numbers of KBF found indicate that genetic factors may be involved in KBF and, thus that selective breeding may help to reduce the susceptibility to KBF. Finally, this study highlights the importance of poultry conservation to secure genetic diversity, which may be an important resource in future selection schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Käthe Elise Kittelsen
- Animalia—The Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Centre, Lorenveien 38, NO-0585 Oslo, Norway; (T.B.H.); (G.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +47-906-05027
| | - Randi Oppermann Moe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU—Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 8146 dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway; (R.O.M.); (I.T.)
| | - Tone Beate Hansen
- Animalia—The Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Centre, Lorenveien 38, NO-0585 Oslo, Norway; (T.B.H.); (G.V.)
| | - Ingrid Toftaker
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU—Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 8146 dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway; (R.O.M.); (I.T.)
| | - Jens Peter Christensen
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Guro Vasdal
- Animalia—The Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Centre, Lorenveien 38, NO-0585 Oslo, Norway; (T.B.H.); (G.V.)
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Toscano MJ, Dunn IC, Christensen JP, Petow S, Kittelsen K, Ulrich R. Explanations for keel bone fractures in laying hens: are there explanations in addition to elevated egg production? Poult Sci 2020; 99:4183-4194. [PMID: 32867962 PMCID: PMC7597989 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The current article served to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the causes of keel bone fracture. Although elevated and sustained egg production is likely a major contributing factor toward fractures, new information resulting from the development of novel methodologies suggests complementary causes that should be investigated. We identified 4 broad areas that could explain variation and increased fractures independent of or complementing elevated and sustained egg production: the age at first egg, late ossification of the keel, predisposing bone diseases, and inactivity leading to poor bone health. We also specified several topics that future research should target, which include continued efforts to link egg production and bone health, examination of noncommercial aves and traditional breeds, manipulating of age at first egg, a detailed histological and structural analysis of the keel, assessment of prefracture bone condition, and the relationship between individual activity patterns and bone health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Toscano
- Centre for Proper Housing of Poultry and Rabbits, VPHI Institute, Universität Bern, Zollikofen, 3052 Switzerland.
| | - Ian C Dunn
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, EH25 9RG Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jens-Peter Christensen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Stefanie Petow
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health,Celle, Germany
| | - Kathe Kittelsen
- Animalia- the Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Centre, N-0513 Oslo, Norway
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- Leipzig University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Rufener C, Makagon MM. Keel bone fractures in laying hens: a systematic review of prevalence across age, housing systems, and strains. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:S36-S51. [PMID: 32810250 PMCID: PMC7433929 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Rufener
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Maja M Makagon
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis, CA
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