In pursuit of a better broiler: walking ability and incidence of contact dermatitis in conventional and slower growing strains of broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT: In this study, the mobility, incidence, and severity of contact dermatitis and litter moisture content were assessed in 14 strains of broiler chickens differing in growth rate. The strains encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG_0-48 > 60 g/d) and 12 slower growing (SG) strains categorized as FAST (ADG_0-62 = 53-55 g/d), MOD (ADG_0-62 = 50-51 g/d), and SLOW (ADG_0-62 < 50 g/d), with 4 strains in each category. A total of 7,216 mixed-sex birds were equally allocated into 164 pens (44 birds/pen; 30 kg/m²) in a randomized incomplete block design, with each strain represented in 8 to 12 pens over 2-3 trials. From each pen, 4 to 6 birds were tested in the latency-to-lie (LTL) and group obstacle tests 1 wk prior to the birds reaching 2 target weig

SUBMITTER: Santos MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8892009 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature