Radiographic, computed tomographic, and histologic characteristics of bone for clinically normal laying hens in a free-range housing system.

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), post

SUBMITTER: Jones J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11617609 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature