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Effects of different angled perches on leg disorders in broilers

Summary

Perching behavior is common in birds, however, perches are not provided in commercial broiler flocks. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between incidence of leg deformations and various perch uses in litterand litter-slat systems. According to perch designs four experimentalgroups were tested with 0° (horizontal) perches, 10°, 20° and 40° angled perches, and a control (no perches) group. Each group comprised 15 female and 15 male birds and was replicated four times. The birds were observed during the experimental period of seven weeks.

The perch use was highest in the 0° perch system (7.44 ± 1.24%), followed by the groups with 10° and 20°angled perches (2.85 ± 0.34% and 1.47 ± 0.37%, respectively). The lowest incidence was recorded in 40° treatment(0.76 ± 0.12%). The perch usage difference between horizontal and angled perch systems was significant (P < 0.01).The greatest angular bone deformation was found in control group birds (16.1 ± 1.37) which significantly differed from other treatment groups (P < 0.01). Tibial dyschondroplasia was less frequent in groups with a high usage of perches. Incidence of TD was higher in male broilers than in females. It was postulated that leg disorders are reduced with perching and that the horizontal and 10° angled perches were preferred by broilers. Offering of perches may be recommended for practical broiler fattening.

german version

Keywords/Stichworte:Broiler; angled perch system; leg disorders; tibial dyschondroplasia

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